Waves API 2500

Waves API 2500 - Legendary VCA Bus Compressor | Inject Classic API Punch and Soul into Your Mix

The Waves API 2500 is a precise digital recreation of the legendary studio hardware, the API 2500. This compressor is world-renowned for its unique punch, cohesion, and unparalleled flexibility. Whether processing individual tracks, instrument groups, or used as "glue" on the mix bus, the API 2500 always provides the perfect dynamic control solution. This meticulously modeled API 2500 compressor plugin by Waves perfectly captures the precision VCA-based technology and unique tonal options of the original hardware, allowing you to easily achieve industry-leading sound within your digital audio workstation.

From classic rock to modern pop, hip-hop, R&B, and electronic dance music, a new generation of producers and mix engineers adores the sound of the API 2500. It's not just a tool; it's a powerful instrument for shaping sonic character. Whether you need subtle and transparent bus compression or want to add decisive power and weight to drum processing, its core VCA compressor design is perfectly suited for the task. Now, with Waves' advanced modeling technology, you can inject the soul of this modern classic directly into your creations and experience the life it brings to drum hits and musical grooves.

Core Strengths & Applications

Iconic API Punch
The API 2500 is most praised for the powerful "punch" it imparts on tracks. Especially when processing drums, bass, or any rhythmic instrument, it tightens the low end, enhances transients, and makes the sound powerful, cohesive, and full of energy, allowing your rhythm section to stand out in the mix.

Powerful Bus Glue
When used on the mix bus or drum bus, the API 2500 exhibits an exceptional "glue" effect. It seamlessly melds all elements together, creating a more cohesive, wider, and more professional-sounding stereo image while enhancing overall dynamics and loudness.

Unparalleled Tonal Flexibility
With its unique "Thrust®" detector circuit, switchable "New/Old" compression types (feed-forward/feed-back), and three "Knee" settings, the API 2500 offers an extremely wide tonal palette. You can seamlessly switch from smooth, vintage compression styles to modern, aggressive dynamic processing to meet the needs of any musical genre.

Precise Stereo Control
The API 2500 provides a variable stereo link function from 0% to 100%, allowing you to precisely control the relationship between the left and right channels. Whether you need completely independent dual-mono processing or a fully linked mode to maintain a stable center image, it can be easily achieved, offering maximum control freedom for your stereo mixes.

A Modern Classic Across Genres
This compressor is not just a favorite in rock music; its unique sonic character makes it equally outstanding on hip-hop drums, pop/R&B vocals, and dance music synthesizers. Its powerful shaping capabilities have made it an indispensable secret weapon for top producers and mix engineers worldwide.

Tech Specs

• Channel Modes: Stereo / Mono
• Threshold Range: +10dBu to -20dBu
• Attack Time: 0.03ms, 0.1ms, 0.3ms, 1ms, 3ms, 10ms, 30ms
• Ratio: 1.5:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1, 10:1, inf:1 (Limiter)
• Release Time: 0.05s, 0.1s, 0.2s, 0.5s, 1s, 2s, and Variable
• Makeup Gain Range: 0dB to +24dB (Manual or Auto)
• Sample Rate Support: Up to 192 kHz
• Latency: 0 ms
• Plugin Formats: VST, VST3, AU, AAX Native (64-bit)
• System Requirements: Compatible with major Mac and Windows DAWs, requires a valid Waves license (V14 or higher)