Plugin interface — screenshot pending
Compressor

API 2500

Universal Audio

Where to get itAvailable from Universal Audiouaudio.com

The API 2500 Bus Compressor is an obsessively accurate emulation of API's flagship dual-channel compressor, capturing its all-discrete circuit path, custom transformers, and 2510/2520 op amps for the 2-bus. It combines "Old" (feedback, vintage character) and "New" (feed-forward, modern transparency) compression modes with API's patented Thrust technology for frequency-balanced dynamics control, making it distinctive for adding energy and movement to stereo mixes.

Written from the manual and checked against it. How we check

Key Features

01Dual-channel stereo bus compressor with feedback (OLD) and feed-forward (NEW) sidechain routing
02Seven fixed attack times (30 µs to 30 ms) and seven ratio values (1.5:1 to ∞:1)
03Three-position Thrust filter (NORMAL, MEDIUM, LOUD) for frequency-balanced RMS detection
04Three knee settings (SOFT, MEDIUM, HARD) for compression onset control
05Precision L/R Link control (0-100% with 50/60/70/80/90% steps) and SHAPE filtering (HP, LP, or bandpass)
06Automatic or manual make-up gain (0 to +24 dB) with switchable mode
07Mix control (0-100%) for parallel compression without DAW routing
08Headroom control (4-28 dB, UAD-only feature) for independent non-linearity and distortion tailoring

Things to Try

  • 01Use faster attack times (30 µs to 100 µs) to preserve transient punch, or slower times (10-30 ms) to let attack transients pass for a punchier sound
  • 02Set THRUST to LOUD to attenuate low frequencies 15 dB at 20 Hz and boost high frequencies 15 dB at 20 kHz for noticeably increased low frequency punch
  • 03Select OLD mode for smoother, more characterful feedback compression or NEW mode for harder compression with more transparency
  • 04Reduce L/R LINK below 100% and enable HP or LP SHAPE filtering to prevent unwanted frequency interaction between channels while maintaining stereo imaging
Formats
VSTAUAAX
Official Website↗User Manual↗

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API 2500 by Universal Audio | Plugin Library