API Audio 5500 55th Anniversary Edition Stereo EQ  From API

To commemorate API's 55th year in the audio industry, API announces the release of the API 5500 Anniversary Edition. Based on the best-selling 5500 Dual Equalizer, the new 5500 Anniversary Edition retains all the sonic and functional characteristics of the standard production 5500 while adding additional design parameters and a commemorative vintage look. The 5500 Anniversary Edition is limited to just 55 production units and features the following:

• 3U rack-mount chassis featuring a vintage-style cream color worn by numerous iconic API consoles, including the highly-successful 1608-II Special Edition Consoles released last year
• Expanded frequency range with 20 Hz on the LO and 50 Hz on the LO-MID, and on the high side on the two Hi bands, 15 kHz on the HI-MID and 40 kHz on the HI band
• Variable high pass filter adjustable from 40 to 600 Hz on each channel - the same HP filter from the input module on the AXS and Vision consoles
• Mid/Side decoding circuit to allow for separate EQ control of the separated Mid and Side signals, then recombined at the output

"We're honored to have been a part of the audio and recording community for the past 55 years," API President Larry Droppa noted. "The 5500 Anniversary Edition reflects the success of the 5500 Dual Equalizer, and of the entire API brand. We're very grateful for the ongoing recognition of the 5500 and believe this limited production unit helps display the pride API takes in the rich history and craftsmanship of all of our products."

Features:

 ♦ Classic 550b Equalizer design

 ♦ Two range switches to individually alter gain steps

 ♦ Useable as a 550b, 550D or 550M

 ♦ Peak/shelf switch on Hi and Lo bands

 ♦ True hardwire bypass

 ♦ Balanced In and Out on XLR

 ♦ Unbalanced input on 1/4"

 ♦ EQ In/Out switch

The beginnings of the 5500 circuit can be traced back to the original 550 equalizer designed by Saul Walker, the founder of Automated Processes Inc. The 550 was designed as a console equalizer, which uses an unbalanced input due to the architecture of the recording console. Because the ergonomics of a console dictate that the controls take up little space, sometimes the number of included functions can be limited. The 5500 is specifically designed to address these limitations; it has a balanced input, a true straight-wire bypass, an integrated power supply with noiseless muting and a range control that expands its versatility to mastering applications.

Typical of API products, the 5500 contains no integrated circuits in its signal path. The gain comes from two hand-built 2520 Operational Amplifiers in each channel. The balanced input is handled by a 2510 Discrete Operational Amplifier, which is similar to the 2520, but without the high-current output stage. A key component of the API sound, the 2520 coupled with the API 2503 output transformer, is capable of delivering +30dBm before clipping.

An extremely useful feature in the 5500 is the range control. The range of the amplitude controls can be reduced to 1/2 or 1/4 of their stated scale, providing a means to adjust the tonal balance with finer resolution in an even gentler manner. This is especially useful for complex program material as contained in stems or submixes and is ideally suited for mastering purposes.

API's 5500 also features a true hard-wire bypass which wires the output connector directly to the input. Shortly after the power is first applied, or immediately after it is lost, a special circuit enables "bypass mode" so that power thumps are never heard.

The 5500's input XLR is connected to an active balanced circuit. The unit's output XLR is driven from a transformer coupled output and can drive any load from 600 ohms or more to full output capability. There is no change from input to output in the unit's polarity, so it is suitable in studios using either pin 2 or pin 3 as the "hot" connection. Additionally, the 5500 has a 1/4 inch input connector that interrupts any present signal on the input XLR. It is balanced and can be driven from either balanced or unbalanced sources. A positive signal on the tip will deliver a positive signal on pin 2 of the output XLR. Using the 1/4 inch input does not bypass any internal circuitry and does not change the gain or operating levels.

The 5500 features API's industry exclusive five-year parts warranty and exhibits the reliability and long life characteristic of all API products.