UAD Powered Plug-Ins Manual v7.1 - Universal Audio

Operational Overview
API 500 Series
Collection
API 550A
API 560
Proportional Q
Artist Presets
API 500 Series
Latency
The API 500 Series EQ Collection includes the UAD API 550A and UAD API
560 plug-ins, which are officially licensed from and endorsed by Automated
Processes Inc. Both plug-ins meticulously model the entire electronic path, including
custom API 2520 op-amps, transformers, band interactions, and internal
clipped filter nonlinearities.
The API 550A provides reciprocal equalization at 15 points in five steps of
boost or cut to a maximum of ±12 dB of gain at each point. The fifteen fixed
equalization points are divided into three overlapping band ranges. The high
and low frequency bands are individually selectable to function as either
peaking or shelving filters. A bandpass filter may be inserted independently
of all other selected equalization settings.
The 10 precision EQ bands make the 560 ideal for signal sweetening and
mix tuning. The boost and cut characteristics are identical, allowing previous
actions to be undone if desired.
The 550A and 560 filters feature API’s “Proportional Q” which continuously
narrows the bandwidth of the filter as band gain is increased, providing (as
stated by API) “an uncomplicated way to generate acoustically superior
equalization.”
The API 500 Series EQ Collection includes artist presets from prominent API
users. The artist presets are in the internal factory bank and are accessed via
the host application’s preset menu. The artist presets are also copied to disk
by the UAD installer so they can be used within Apollo’s Console application.
The presets can be loaded using the Settings menu in the UAD Toolbar (see
“Using UAD Powered Plug-Ins” in Chapter 7 of the UAD System Manual).
These plug-ins use an internal upsampling technique to achieve sonic design
goals. The upsampling results in a slightly larger latency than most other UAD
plug-ins. See Chapter 9 “Delay Compensation” in the UAD System Manual
for more information.
UAD Powered Plug-Ins Manual - 48 - Chapter 3: API 500 Series EQ Collection