The API 2500 Bus Compressor is a compressor plugin by Universal Audio that emulates the classic API 2500 stereo bus compressor for mixes and subgroups. It runs as VST3, AU and AAX on Windows and macOS.
Universal Audio's API 2500 Bus Compressor models the API 2500, a compressor known for gluing stereo mixes and subgroups together. The developer says the plugin was built with access to API schematics and analyzed against both rackmount and in-console units. It adds Thrust circuitry, selectable Old and New compression modes, and percent-based L/R Link controls, so you can shape how the two channels of a stereo bus respond to each other.
Universal Audio describes the plugin as a detailed emulation of the API 2500's all-discrete signal path, including its custom transformers and 2510 and 2520 op amps. The developer says the model was analyzed against two classic API 2500 units, one rackmount and one in-console.
The Old and New compression modes let you choose between two behaviors, and each can be set to feedback or feed-forward operation. This gives you a range of tones from a single plugin.
Thrust is API's patented low-frequency feature. It places a filter before the RMS detector, so high and low frequency energy does not trigger the compressor unevenly. Use it to add low-end punch to a bus without the compressor reacting to bass alone.
The plugin-only Mix and Headroom controls let you blend the compressed signal with the dry signal and set headroom without hardware constraints. The L/R Link controls are set in percent, so you can dial in how dependent the left and right channels are on each other.
The API 2500 suits producers and engineers who want to glue a full mix, a drum bus or a set of subgroups. Artist presets from engineers Jeff Balding, Vance Powell and Ryan Hewitt are included as starting points for mixing sessions.
Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.
| Developer | Universal Audio |
|---|---|
| Type | Plugin |
| Category | Compressor |
| Formats | VST3, AU, AAX |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS |
| Architecture | 64-bit |
| Free trial | Yes |
It is available in VST3, AU and AAX formats and runs on Windows and macOS. It is 64-bit.
You need a supported DAW compatible with VST3, AU or AAX, an internet connection to download and authorize the UAD Native plugins, and a free iLok account. The UA Connect application is used to manage UAD Native plugins. An iLok USB key is compatible but not required.
No. The UAD Native version runs on your Mac or PC without any UA hardware. The Apollo Realtime and UAD-2 version runs accelerated on Apollo interfaces and UAD-2 hardware.
Yes, a trial is available for this plugin.
