Universal Audio has announced the impending release of the API 500 Series EQ Plug-In Collection for the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform and Apollo High-Resolution Audio Interface.

This API-endorsed, UA-developed collection features superior emulations of the legendary API 550A 3-Band and API 560 Graphic equalizers — two of the most popular and enduring audio equalizers ever made.

Designed by API’s Saul Walker in the late 60’s, the 550A and 560 modular EQs featured Walker’s signature 2520 op-amp and proportional Q circuitry. For the API 500 Series EQ Plug-In Collection, UA’s industry-leading circuit modeling team expertly captured the filter shapes, band interactions, and unique filter amplifier clipping behaviors of vintage API 550A and 560 units to exacting detail. The result is tight, low-frequency imaging that gives users that legendary API punch.

Additionally, the API 500 Series EQ Plug-In Collection includes presets from several famed engineers and producers, including Ross Hogarth (Van Halen, R.E.M., Ziggy Marley), Vance Powell (Jack White, Red Fang, The Dead Weather), Eli Janney (Jet, Ryan Adams, Wilco), Jeff Juliano (John Mayer, Shinedown, Train), Carl Glanville (U2, Billy Joel, Jason Mraz), and Darrell Thorp (Beck, Radiohead, Charlotte Gainsbourg).

Universal Audio API 500 Series plug-ins

The API 550A and API 560 equalizer plug-ins.

“With the blessing and assistance of API and the hard work of our top-notch DSP team, we’re proud to be releasing industry-leading emulations of the API 550A and 560 EQs,” says CEO and Founder, Bill Putnam, Jr. “We’re thrilled to be adding the iconic API sound to the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform.”

“We are very pleased to see the development of API plug-ins for the UAD platform,” said Larry Droppa, API President. “The sonic integrity and audio performance of API products has always been our primary focus, and UA has demonstrated a proven track record with these same goals. We look forward to much success with this EQ collection and other API introductions to come.”

API 500 Series EQ Collection feature

  • Superior, licensed plug-in emulations of the most enduring API 500 Series EQs
    • API 550A discrete, 3-band bell/shelf filter set
    • API 560 discrete, 10-band graphic filter set
  • Models entire electronic path, including custom API 2520 op-amps and transformers, band interactions, and internal clipped filter nonlinearities.
  • Licensed and endorsed by Automated Processes Inc.
  • Includes presets from famed users Ross Hogarth, Jeff Juliano, Carl Glanville, Darrell Thorp, Vance Powell, and Eli Janney.

Available as part of an upcoming UAD Software release scheduled for February 2013, the API 500 Series EQ Collection will be available for $299 USD via UA’s Online Store.

More information: Universal Audio