API 529 500 Series Stereo Compressor

Classic API Bus Compression for Your 500 Series Rack

The API 529 borrows many of the features and controls from the company's acclaimed 2500 bus compressor (a Sweetwater favorite) and packs them into a double-wide 500 Series module. This stereo unit features API's patented Thrust circuitry for a punchy low end, along with a New/Old switch that lets you choose between vintage and modern compression characteristics. Old delivers classic feedback compression; New serves up today's more prevalent feed-forward compression. The Auto makeup-gain button lets you adjust ratio and threshold without affecting your output level. Employing both 2510 and 2520 discrete op-amps, the 529 delivers legendary API analog sonics. It's the sound that launched a thousand hits — made-to-measure for the popular 500 Series format.

This compressor's all about versatility and musicality

When you choose API, you know you're getting amazing sonic character. And with the API 529, you've got a wide range of characters to choose among and dial in. To start, the 529 has API's patented "Thrust" highpass filter before its RMS detector, which gives you frequency-dependent sidechain control for really punchy low end.

There are also two types of compression onboard the API 2500 — "old" and "new." The old style uses the feedback type of compression found on the classic early-'70s API 525, while the new style uses a feed-forward type similar to that of many popular modern compressors.