AudioFu

API Audio

USA, est. 1968 · 27 products across 3 categories

27
Total Products
3
Categories
$2,811
Avg Price
$26
From

About API Audio

API Audio, originally Automated Processes, Inc., has long been a cornerstone of professional audio recording, renowned for its robust, sonically distinctive equipment. Their designs, initially focused on broadcast consoles, evolved into highly sought-after studio processors and preamps, prized for their character and reliability. API’s gear is synonymous with a warm, punchy, and authoritative sound that has graced countless hit records.

Founded
1968
Country
USA
Segment
Premium
Target
API Audio is best suited for professional recording studios, mixing engineers, a
Known For
1604 Console Legacy 312 Preamp 2500 Stereo Compressor 550A EQ Signature 'API Sound'
PROS
  • • Exceptional build quality and reliability
  • • Distinctive, warm and powerful sonic signature
  • • Highly versatile across various genres
  • • Industry-standard for a reason
  • • Offers a unique character for tracking and mixing
CONS
  • • Premium-priced, investment required
  • • Can be perceived as 'colored' by some engineers
  • • Larger format rack units
  • • Limited range compared to some competitors
  • • Steeper learning curve for optimal usage

API Audio Products

API Audio TCS II Channel Strip - Preamps

API Audio TCS II Channel Strip

Preamps

$4,430
Size 19" Weight 6.35 kg
*Equaliser:*, 2 bands (Low and High) can be switched individually to shelving EQ, Switchable band-pass filter: 50 to...
4.4 AudioFu Score
API Audio 525A - 500 Series Components

API Audio 525A

500 Series Components

$1,503
FET Compressor in 500 Series Module Format, Attack adjustable from 15 microseconds to 15 milliseconds,...
4.4 AudioFu Score
API Audio MC531 Monitor Controller - Studio Monitor Controllers

API Audio MC531 Monitor Controller

Studio Monitor Controllers

$3,253
Weight 3.86 kg
Active Monitor Controller, For connection of up to 3 monitor pairs, Integrated...
4.9 AudioFu Score
API Audio 560 Graphic EQ - Graphic Equalizers

API Audio 560 Graphic EQ

Graphic Equalizers

$1,223
Graphic 10-Band Equaliser, Design: 500 module, 12 dB boost/but per band, Midpoint filter...
4.8 AudioFu Score
API Audio The Box II - Analogue Mixing Desks

API Audio The Box II

Analogue Mixing Desks

$24,712
Weight 40.8 kg
Project Recording and Mixing Console, 8 Input channels with microphone preamps, 8 x 500 module...
4.3 AudioFu Score
API Audio 3124MV - Preamps

API Audio 3124MV

Preamps

$5,055
Size 19"
4-Channel Microphone, Instrument And Line Preamplifier, Classic API circuit design, API 2520 OP...
4.5 AudioFu Score
API Audio ASM164 - Summing Mixer

API Audio ASM164

Summing Mixer

$4,547
Size 19"
Analogue Summing Mixer, 16 channels, API 2510 Input operational amplifier, API 2520 OpAmps, Insert...
4.5 AudioFu Score
API Audio TranZformer GTR - Equalizer Pedals

API Audio TranZformer GTR

Equalizer Pedals

$419
Weight 0.68 kg
Effect Pedal for Electric Guitar, 3-Band EQ, 3 Fixed frequencies: 200 Hz / 1.5 kHz / 5 kHz...
4.9 AudioFu Score
API Audio TranZformer CMP - Compressor Pedals

API Audio TranZformer CMP

Compressor Pedals

$419
Weight 0.79 kg
Effect Pedal for Electric Guitar, VCA compressor guitar pedal, API output transformer,...
4.6 AudioFu Score
API Audio Select SV14 4-Band EQ - 500 Series Components

API Audio Select SV14 4-Band EQ

500 Series Components

$873
4-Band Equaliser in 500 Rack Format, Based on the classic APSI 562 EQ, Continuous...
4.6 AudioFu Score
API Audio TranZformer LLX Bass Pedal - Equalizer Pedals

API Audio TranZformer LLX Bass Pedal

Equalizer Pedals

$419
Weight 0.79 kg
Effect Pedal for Electric Bass, API 2510 OpAmp, API output transformer, 3-Band EQ...
4.3 AudioFu Score
API Audio 3122V - Preamps

API Audio 3122V

Preamps

$2,914
Size 19" Weight 4.08 kg
2-Channel Microphone And Instrument Preamp, Classic API circuit design, API 2520 output amplifier,...
4.4 AudioFu Score
API Audio 312 Mic Pre - 500 Series Components

API Audio 312 Mic Pre

500 Series Components

$1,048
Microphone Preamplifier for the 500 Series, Max. 69 dB gain, Totally discrete circuit design...
4.5 AudioFu Score
API Audio 2500+ - Compressors, Gates and De-essers

API Audio 2500+

Compressors, Gates and De-essers

$4,057
Legacy Stereo Bus Compressor with blend function, API 2520 op-amp, Adjustable threshold -20db to +...
4.6 AudioFu Score
API Audio 3124V - Preamps

API Audio 3124V

Preamps

$4,290
Size 19"
4-Channel Microphone, Instrument and Line Preamplifier, Classic API circuit design, API 2520 OP...
4.4 AudioFu Score
API Audio 512v Preamp - 500 Series Components

API Audio 512v Preamp

500 Series Components

$1,340
Microphone / Instrument / Line Preamp, Microphone preamp with 65 dB gain, Line and instrument...
4.5 AudioFu Score
API Audio 500-8P Lunchbox - 500 Series Components

API Audio 500-8P Lunchbox

500 Series Components

$932
Size 19"
Housing for 500 Series Modules, Accepts up to max. 8 x 500 standard modules, 250 mA per...
4.4 AudioFu Score
API Audio 565 Filter Bank - 500 Series Components

API Audio 565 Filter Bank

500 Series Components

$906
Filter Bank, Low-pass filter: 500 to 20,000 Hz (-6 or -12 dB slope), High-pass filter: 20 to...
4.5 AudioFu Score
API Audio 527A Compressor Limiter - 500 Series Components

API Audio 527A Compressor Limiter

500 Series Components

$1,457
Compressor / Limiter in 500 Rack Format, Uses the discrete operational amplifiers...
4.8 AudioFu Score
API Audio Blank Panel 500er 5B1 - 500 Series Components

API Audio Blank Panel 500er 5B1

500 Series Components

$26
Blank panel, For 500 10slot, 6slot API Lunchbox and 1608
4.6 AudioFu Score
API Audio 500VPR - 500 Series Components

API Audio 500VPR

500 Series Components

$1,550
10-Slot Rack, 10 Module slots for standard module 500 from different vendors, Inputs and outputs via...
4.5 AudioFu Score
API Audio 525 Discrete Compressor - 500 Series Components

API Audio 525 Discrete Compressor

500 Series Components

$1,457
Discrete compressor, Exact reissue of the original API 525 compressor from the 70s,...
4.4 AudioFu Score
API Audio 550b Discrete 4 Band EQ - 500 Series Components

API Audio 550b Discrete 4 Band EQ

500 Series Components

$1,573
Discrete 4-band equalizer, From the 500 series, 7 centre frequencies selectable per...
4.6 AudioFu Score
API Audio 550A Discrete 3 Band EQ - 500 Series Components

API Audio 550A Discrete 3 Band EQ

500 Series Components

$1,468
Equalizer, Discrete 3 band EQ from the 500 Series, 7 centre frequencies selectable...
4.6 AudioFu Score
API Audio 512c Mic Pre - 500 Series Components

API Audio 512c Mic Pre

500 Series Components

$1,165
Mic Preamp, The 500 series, 65 dB gain, Microphone input on the front and back, Line /...
4.9 AudioFu Score
API Audio 505 Di Direct Input - 500 Series Components

API Audio 505 Di Direct Input

500 Series Components

$906
Instrument Preamp for Guitar / Bass / Keyboard, Front-side Hi-Z input 6.3 mm jack, Thru...
4.9 AudioFu Score
API Audio 5500 Dual Equalizer - Parametric Equalizers

API Audio 5500 Dual Equalizer

Parametric Equalizers

$3,952
Equaliser, Classic 550B Design, Switchable level range for finer resolution of complex...
4.7 AudioFu Score

Frequently Asked Questions About API Audio

API Audio products are primarily manufactured in their Wixom, Michigan facility, maintaining a commitment to American craftsmanship and quality control.

Absolutely; API preamps are widely used for vocal recording, providing a rich, full sound with excellent transient response and a pleasing warmth.

The 2500 offers a unique blend of VCA and optical compression, delivering a signature 'glue' effect and a powerful, controlled dynamic range that sets it apart from more transparent or aggressive alternatives.

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