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API Audio 550B 500 Series EQ  From API

API's 4 Band 500-Series EQ with a slightly cleaner tone and an additional frequency band when compared to the 550A.

API Audio

$1,295.00

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Manufacturer's Description from API

Features

  • Four bands of our famous sounding equalization
  • Each band offers seven API selected frequency centers
  • Reciprocal and repeatable filtering
  • 12 dB of boost/cut per band
  • EQ band 1 and 4 offer shelf/peak switching
  • "Proportional Q" narrows filter Q at extremes
  • Traditional API fully discrete circuit design
  • High headroom +30 dB clip level
  • Re-issue of 1967 API 550 EQ with an extra band

Based on API's original 550 from the late '60s, the API 550b is a continuation of the EQ that played a major role in the history of music recording, but with an additional filter band and several new frequencies. Incorporating API's exclusive circuitry and proprietary components (such as the legendary API 2520 Op Amp), the 550b artfully blends the past with the present. So many hit records still depend on the unique 550 sound that engineers around the world find it to be an invaluable tool. In fact, the 550b design has been taken from the original blue prints and spec control drawings from the API archives. It is unlike any other EQ you will ever use.

Rather than offer a huge assortment of complex features, the API 550b provides exactly the right number of controls. Its four EQ bands are overlapped significantly to aid in dual roles as problem solver and sweetening device with each band offering seven switchable filter frequencies that span four-to-five octaves. These frequencies, purposely selected to be musical rather than numeric, were selected by an experienced "who's who" list of the industry's most proficient engineers.

Making use of API's "Proportional Q," an innovation designed by Saul Walker in the '60s, the 550b intuitively widens the filter bandwidth at minimal settings and narrows it at higher settings without the need for additional bandwidth controls. This unique feature minimizes the "phase-shift" sound found in many equalizers. In addition, the reciprocal nature of the 550b enables the user to "undo" what has been done previously with exact precision.

The benefits of the API 550b are most obvious to those who work with EQ on a continuous basis. If major tonal restructuring is required, the extraordinary headroom made possible with API's 2520 Op Amp offers the predictable and warm analog performance, even under duress. With a surprisingly wide range of tonal variations, the 500b is an invaluable and professional audio tool with great flexibility and excellent sonic ability.

API Audio

About Manufacturer

API (Automated Processes, Inc.) is world famous for its all-discrete audio products: studio and broadcast mixing consoles, and a full line of rack mount mic preamps, equalizers and processors. It all began with a dream. It was 1968. The company: Automated Processes Inc., formed by men with a vision. Best known for their now legendary "2520 amplifier", this unique amp has been and will continue to be the heart of all API discrete products. It continues to provide reliability and sonic purity unmatched by the competition. The resulting console met the needs of the music, commercial and broadcast industry. API became the leading audio broadcast console manufacturer for radio and television networks and high profile stations. In addition, recording studios, large and small, began using API.....and receiving rave reviews from engineers and producers. There are over 700 API consoles across the nation and around the world, including the three major networks. Over thirty years later, many of these consoles are still in daily use in some of the most prestigious recording and broadcast facilities in the world because, to date, there are few, if any consoles of equal sound quality at a cost-effective price.

Specifications

Specifications

Number of Bands:

Four

Filter Type:

"Low" and "High" bands are Peak/Shelf switchable.

Low-Mid and Mid-High are peaking type

Filter Frequency Centers:

Low: 30, 40, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400Hz

Low-Mid: 75, 150, 180, 240, 500, 700, 1Khz

Mid-High: 800, 1.5K, 3K, 5K, 8K, 10K, 12.5K

High: 2.5K, 5K, 7K, 10K, 12.5K, 15K, 20K

Filter Boost/Cut:

±12 dB

Filter Slope:

12 dB per Octave

Input Impedance:

18.5 K +4 in, 7.5 K -2 in

Output Impedance:

Less than 75 Ohms

Nominal Levels:

-15 to +15 dBu

Clipping Level:

+30 dBu @ ±16 V

Frequency Response:

+0, -.3, 30 to 20 kHz

Noise:

Actual, unw noise, <-98 dBu, 20-20 kHz

Distortion:

.07% max, @ +18 dBu Output

Connectors:

15 position .156sp edge connector

Power Consumption:

±12/18 Volts/DC,@ 40 ma.

Size:

1.5" X 5.25" X 7.5" Deep

Size (Boxed for Shipping):

4.5" X 6.25" X 10"

Actual Weight:

2.02 lbs.

Shipping Weight:

2.43 lbs.