I guess that depends on API's definition of attack time. Its annoying, but they can call it whatever they want when there isn't any agreed upon definition of what attack time is.
Attack time is usually the time it takes for compressor to get to it's maximum compression right? Not when the compressor starts to kick in. Or is it different with different manufacturers? Sounds nice either way
I'm fairly new to UAD plug-ins and I really love the HR knob they have on their analogue modelled plug-ins - in a fully digital workflow it's quite common for my gain levels to be wildly out of what they would be in an analogue workflow and it lets me use the plug-ins at their sweet spot of gain without pointlessly adding gain changes.
This is my go-to drum compressor. Thanks for the deep dive on the controls and explaining exactly what's going on..Used the Waves version for a long time, but switched to UA once it was native.
Finally a decent video on this. All you ever get is, “it adds that depth and warmth to the drums and bass, almost like glue..but a different glue from the SSL BUSS comp.”
Good job. I am a Logic user and guitar player that has recently migrated to LUNA. I have overused plugins in Logic and don’t really know what I am doing but I’m learning. Your videos are good at explaining.
Wow Iv'e used the API 2500 for years just setting it to what I thought was the best sound for the application I was working on and never really realized the detail of all of the parameters you just explained. Thanks for the detailed vid!
Best piece of hardware I’ve bought yet. You can make it sound like many different types of compressors, but it has a very big learning curve even after you learn all of its features.
@@JohnGauge790 Do you think that when things are complex, they are always directly better? Do you think calling one of the simplest tools in music production “complex” is a smart statement? Or does your statement perhaps reveal a lot about your under-complex way of thinking?
@@JohnGauge790 When taking dynamic effects basic course? It shows you how to crank the two buttons Threshold and Ratio at a very under-complex level. Is even that too much für you, the on-off switch is also explained in detail there.
Well explained ! There are so many great hw compressor designs. I don't think we are seeing the same level of talent and ingenuity in the software world when it comes to compressor design.
I own the 2500+ Hardware Unit which has a very useful mixknob too. But very often I find myself using the UAD version for multiple use ore convenience… Even if I don’t like all UAD moves it’s a fact that this plugin in is an amazing recreation. Thanks for the review!
It should not go unmentioned that the gain knob in the output influences the gain reduction if the comp type is set to "Old". So, "New type tone" - Gain only controls the output level. "Old type tone" - Gain controls output level and influences gain reduction. So the louder the more GR. Cool video, thank you. ✌
@@avationmusic Thank you, that's true, but it wasn't clear to me at the time and it was only when I read the manual and tested it myself that I was able to understand the situation. A not entirely unimportant detail for inexperienced people like me at the time. ✌
Thanks for this nice tutorial/explanation about this plugin! When I first subscribed to UAD Spark last year I did learn this plugin 100% on my own and initially used it "wrong" for some time until I discovered these different controls and features. Would've loved to see this video at that time! Btw I would love to see videos about more technical stuff like the video idea you mentioned about mix knobs. I know that Dan Worral did a video about this with Softube plugins but I'd really like to see you explaning this and other more advancef topics!
Cool 2500 trick - KD-Bass glue (shared envelope designer thingy): Route kick drum to one channel Route bass to the other Now…set the compressor up and set the Link percentage to your hearts content ☺️👌 (And now you’re free to keep routing these channels to wherever you were planning to route them.. for instance - kick drum can go on feeding into your drum-buss with the KD-Bass gluing effect already applied) Sadly, though, on the hardware unit the Link function doesn’t work in FB mode as expected (think of the internal routing needed for it to work - it is possible, but I’m guessing it’s just too much of a hassle and so API didn’t go with it 😢 I wish they did) And I don’t know about the UAD version, but the PA version (which sounds excellent BTW) also follows this behavior
@@LeCheFTube - ok! How are you routing the outputs post API2500? IOW, how are you independently sending out L & R channels? Edit: tried it in Ableton by routing APi 2500 bus out of 2 separate sends to two buses then monitoring only L or R in each but that’s a pretty convoluted process!!
@@healeydavid3080 when using the hardware I send out of the box and back in (and usually print the return ones I’m happy with the result) But honestly going OTB is too much hassle and the plugin sounds grate so.. ITB - my DAW of choice is reaper witch is quite flexible in terms of routing There are a number of ways I can do it in reaper.. I know Abelton isn’t as flexible and easy in that regard.. but I’m sure it’s possible 🙏 sorry for not being more helpful I’m just not very experienced in Abelton so I’m not sure what would be the best approach
This is SO helpful!!.......I 've had the Tone Empire version for a while. It's cool but seems to be it's own thing. I recently got the Waves version which I think it a little less colored?. I hadn't really fallen in love with either. Probably because I didn't fully understand the controls. Your review really opens things up for me! 😉👍
I have bought the Waves version. Is there a differens in the sound between the Universal version and the Waves version??? Sound wise!!! All the best great to listen to your reviews.
12:03 It's in percentage because it's a ratio. An absolute decibel-value wouldn't make much sense in that context. In temporal dimension the ratio will always stay the same, but channel difference in decibels would constantly change based on the stereo signal. It just makes sense to show it as percentage value. 0:44 I was in an impression that Germany of all countries would have fairly robust warranty laws. But I guess it's also possible I'm mixing up the German companies' knowledge about warranties regarding international trade and how the domestic laws are implemented.
I have 2 hardware units of the API 2500, and I have a 16ch API 500 series, 8 channels with a VCA compressor and 8 with the FET compressor. Or just no compression at all. Just the sound of the transformers and the opamps. Try to contact Paul Wolff, maybe he can help you with the RMA.
Wytse, can you explain why the feedback actually sounds different? I never understood the actual difference... How is the output signal different from the input? By running through the circuit? Is it that?
so funny, I'm in school for music production and for a course we had to compare vst's en we compared the 3 version of the Api 2500 vst, UAD, waves and the SMC from lindell (emulator of api) and the Lindell and UAD ones came out as the better ones with UAD taking the cake, waves on the otherhand was utterly disgusting to how it sounded compared to the others, you start wondering if they even tried to emulate the hardware or just did their own thing ignoring the original unit
Appreciate and shoutout to yourself, i have learn many things from your videos, but please... compensate always ok?... do it only analog. Its just... little request. Thank You. Good Luck.
That's the reason why I would never buy my expensive outboard equipment on Thomann, go to a local / smaller retailer, support them and if you have a problem, usually they'll take better care of their customers then big companies!
Hmm couple of new things for me but the one thing I really wanted to understand you didnt go into detail so much. Can anyone explain how those filters are applied in tbe left and right link settings? Because as I understand it, it gives you the opportunity to say 'I want the lowend to stay center and the rest can be unlinked compression', but I never know if I then toggle the lowpass on the link or the highpass 😅
Is that Jamstix I can hear? Sure sounds like it. I love Jamstix for ‘real’ drums. I’ve yet to find something else, even so called ‘AI’, that sounds as much like a real drummer. I suppose what Rayzoon does is AI - at least with the bastardised marketing version of AI we now have all over the place. Spoiler, AI in computer games isn’t. Even Chat GPT isn’t really, although it uses principles from AI research to do its thing. Anyway. AI or no AI, Jamstix is like having a drummer on tap.
Fun fact: API 2500 attack is significantly slower than it says. That's why it's popular on drums. You are welcome ;)
Seriously? When I choose 30ms I want 30! How much slower exactly?
Proof? I’m not saying you’re wrong, I just want to verify how different the attack time is exactly.
Yeah where is this information gathered from?
I guess that depends on API's definition of attack time. Its annoying, but they can call it whatever they want when there isn't any agreed upon definition of what attack time is.
Attack time is usually the time it takes for compressor to get to it's maximum compression right? Not when the compressor starts to kick in. Or is it different with different manufacturers? Sounds nice either way
again, my favorite channel for plugin reviews
I'm fairly new to UAD plug-ins and I really love the HR knob they have on their analogue modelled plug-ins - in a fully digital workflow it's quite common for my gain levels to be wildly out of what they would be in an analogue workflow and it lets me use the plug-ins at their sweet spot of gain without pointlessly adding gain changes.
This is my go-to drum compressor. Thanks for the deep dive on the controls and explaining exactly what's going on..Used the Waves version for a long time, but switched to UA once it was native.
Finally a decent video on this. All you ever get is, “it adds that depth and warmth to the drums and bass, almost like glue..but a different glue from the SSL BUSS comp.”
« 3D sOuNd »
Great review (welcome back to your original STYLE!)
Good job. I am a Logic user and guitar player that has recently migrated to LUNA. I have overused plugins in Logic and don’t really know what I am doing but I’m learning. Your videos are good at explaining.
Pulsar MU into this API 2500 is the thing on my synth bus for a while now, love it
For me goes on my piano and synth buss as well. Real Analog version in my studio. Superb.
What type of attack and release do you have going on the synth bus
Wow Iv'e used the API 2500 for years just setting it to what I thought was the best sound for the application I was working on and never really realized the detail of all of the parameters you just explained. Thanks for the detailed vid!
Best piece of hardware I’ve bought yet. You can make it sound like many different types of compressors, but it has a very big learning curve even after you learn all of its features.
api sucks. cheap imitation of an ssl g-comp. just buy the original and not a device that tries to be like it. Trash
@ Nah it’s just way too complex for your pea-brain.
@@JohnGauge790 Do you think that when things are complex, they are always directly better? Do you think calling one of the simplest tools in music production “complex” is a smart statement? Or does your statement perhaps reveal a lot about your under-complex way of thinking?
@ I’m saying it’s over your head. And it is.
@@JohnGauge790 When taking dynamic effects basic course? It shows you how to crank the two buttons Threshold and Ratio at a very under-complex level. Is even that too much für you, the on-off switch is also explained in detail there.
Well explained ! There are so many great hw compressor designs. I don't think we are seeing the same level of talent and ingenuity in the software world when it comes to compressor design.
I own the 2500+ Hardware Unit which has a very useful mixknob too.
But very often I find myself using the UAD version for multiple use ore convenience…
Even if I don’t like all UAD moves it’s a fact that this plugin in is an amazing recreation.
Thanks for the review!
Have you ever done a comparison of the hardware vs the software ?
@@bontempo1271 Hey, yes of course multible times… even on my ATCs or an Audice Headphone it’s a game of inches…
I can upload some examples if you want
@@nilsliebich1822 I wouldn't wanna make someone work, but it's hard to say no to a hardware vs software comparison !
I own it as well and use the Waves version in slow mode on vocals and bass a lot. I know a lot of people who use it as secret sauce.
It should not go unmentioned that the gain knob in the output influences the gain reduction if the comp type is set to "Old".
So, "New type tone" - Gain only controls the output level. "Old type tone" - Gain controls output level and influences gain reduction. So the louder the more GR.
Cool video, thank you. ✌
Well he did say the “Old” type means the output feeds back into the sidechain, so that implies output gain is taken into consideration for GR
@@avationmusic Thank you, that's true, but it wasn't clear to me at the time and it was only when I read the manual and tested it myself that I was able to understand the situation. A not entirely unimportant detail for inexperienced people like me at the time. ✌
Especially the explanation about link and its internal bandpassing is awesome❤
Great video! I have this plugin since a year ago but I never had the time to really dig into it - it sounds great.
Your T Shirt made me chuckle, also like these more in depth videos a lot more than the kind of quick look videos you do
Great breakdown. I'm trying to learn about the differences and subtleties between these sorts of plugins so this kind of thing is very helpful!
i don't like the 2500... so, i really must try these tips/tricks. thanks man! rock on!
You are probably not using it right.
@@emitremmus1004 I don't like it either and I use it the right way, it sounds bad honestly
Thanks for this nice tutorial/explanation about this plugin! When I first subscribed to UAD Spark last year I did learn this plugin 100% on my own and initially used it "wrong" for some time until I discovered these different controls and features. Would've loved to see this video at that time!
Btw I would love to see videos about more technical stuff like the video idea you mentioned about mix knobs. I know that Dan Worral did a video about this with Softube plugins but I'd really like to see you explaning this and other more advancef topics!
Love these tutorials. Thanks!
FInally! I have like 2-3 version of this but the "secrets" always eluded me. Thanks!
Thank you for posting this. I dig your style of going about things.
the first time I understood the tone section, thanks!
One of your best videos
Thanks for the great video Wyste! We appreciate it 🙂
Cool 2500 trick - KD-Bass glue (shared envelope designer thingy):
Route kick drum to one channel
Route bass to the other
Now…set the compressor up and set the Link percentage to your hearts content ☺️👌
(And now you’re free to keep routing these channels to wherever you were planning to route them.. for instance - kick drum can go on feeding into your drum-buss with the KD-Bass gluing effect already applied)
Sadly, though, on the hardware unit the Link function doesn’t work in FB mode as expected (think of the internal routing needed for it to work - it is possible, but I’m guessing it’s just too much of a hassle and so API didn’t go with it 😢 I wish they did)
And I don’t know about the UAD version, but the PA version (which sounds excellent BTW) also follows this behavior
Gonna have to try this! Cheers
Do you ever use this technique for electronic music?
@@healeydavid3080 can’t say I have 🤓 but it should work
@@LeCheFTube - ok! How are you routing the outputs post API2500? IOW, how are you independently sending out L & R channels? Edit: tried it in Ableton by routing APi 2500 bus out of 2 separate sends to two buses then monitoring only L or R in each but that’s a pretty convoluted process!!
@@healeydavid3080 when using the hardware I send out of the box and back in (and usually print the return ones I’m happy with the result)
But honestly going OTB is too much hassle and the plugin sounds grate so..
ITB - my DAW of choice is reaper witch is quite flexible in terms of routing
There are a number of ways I can do it in reaper..
I know Abelton isn’t as flexible and easy in that regard.. but I’m sure it’s possible 🙏 sorry for not being more helpful
I’m just not very experienced in Abelton so I’m not sure what would be the best approach
You’re awesome Wytse! Thanks for this
I like those tutorials
This is SO helpful!!.......I 've had the Tone Empire version for a while. It's cool but seems to be it's own thing. I recently got the Waves version which I think it a little less colored?. I hadn't really fallen in love with either. Probably because I didn't fully understand the controls. Your review really opens things up for me! 😉👍
Thank you so much for your detailed video!
Chicke game is awesome 🙌
sweet, love uad compressors and reverbs
love it, when you show us how to use these plugins!!!
love this compressor!
Your so good at this stuff
I have the Lindell SBC which is an emulation of the api 2500.
Great Tutorial - Thanks - I like that content 🎉
I own the hardware version ... it still sounds like an approximation to me but still useful in many contexts
this is awesome! More vids like this : )
I see that heritage 670 up there 👀, are you planning on doing a review on it?
Great video! Thanks!
I have bought the Waves version. Is there a differens in the sound between the Universal version and the Waves version??? Sound wise!!! All the best great to listen to your reviews.
Of course there is. Better watch comparisons on RUclips) Both are good options, it's just a matter of preference
thanks bro - super vid!
I can’t stop looking at the chicken ☠️
Play with the HR knob and Output gain knob for tasty saturation.
Mk4 sounds great!
Thanks for the video ! My api hardware has a mix knob on it tho . Still don’t understand how to use it 😫
12:03 It's in percentage because it's a ratio. An absolute decibel-value wouldn't make much sense in that context. In temporal dimension the ratio will always stay the same, but channel difference in decibels would constantly change based on the stereo signal. It just makes sense to show it as percentage value.
0:44 I was in an impression that Germany of all countries would have fairly robust warranty laws. But I guess it's also possible I'm mixing up the German companies' knowledge about warranties regarding international trade and how the domestic laws are implemented.
Great review!!
Cool video thanks
Hihats on the right make me go crazy X)
How exactly would you calculate channel linking with decibels? I can’t wrap my head around that concept.
Thanks for this
I have 2 hardware units of the API 2500, and I have a 16ch API 500 series, 8 channels with a VCA compressor and 8 with the FET compressor. Or just no compression at all. Just the sound of the transformers and the opamps. Try to contact Paul Wolff, maybe he can help you with the RMA.
The plugin was designed to look like the 2500 in api consoles. Not the rack unit. That's why it looks like that..
Nice
Tone empire modell 500 much betta broi!
Wytse, can you explain why the feedback actually sounds different? I never understood the actual difference... How is the output signal different from the input? By running through the circuit? Is it that?
so funny, I'm in school for music production and for a course we had to compare vst's en we compared the 3 version of the Api 2500 vst, UAD, waves and the SMC from lindell (emulator of api) and the Lindell and UAD ones came out as the better ones with UAD taking the cake, waves on the otherhand was utterly disgusting to how it sounded compared to the others, you start wondering if they even tried to emulate the hardware or just did their own thing ignoring the original unit
Appreciate and shoutout to yourself, i have learn many things from your videos, but please... compensate always ok?... do it only analog. Its just... little request. Thank You. Good Luck.
have u tried the waves version? i heard back in the day the waves sounds better and i kind of believe it.
the waves is probably the worst one nowadays
You can get free trials of both and hear for yourself. No reason to rely on rumours in this day and age ;)
@@XanderEwald i prefer the rumours
That's the reason why I would never buy my expensive outboard equipment on Thomann, go to a local / smaller retailer, support them and if you have a problem, usually they'll take better care of their customers then big companies!
My brain says, NO, the needle is in the RED! Leaving that meter maxed out for so long will destroy that equipment. 😊
you have to spend an extra $300 - $800 to get that mix knob on the 2500+.
Hmm couple of new things for me but the one thing I really wanted to understand you didnt go into detail so much. Can anyone explain how those filters are applied in tbe left and right link settings? Because as I understand it, it gives you the opportunity to say 'I want the lowend to stay center and the rest can be unlinked compression', but I never know if I then toggle the lowpass on the link or the highpass 😅
Shit, I'm game over.
I made it to 13:45 before losing the chicken game.
Now do the DBX 160 VU
Uad mmmmm....super
api are known for there broken meters mine is broken too
Chicken Game i lost! considering i'm chicken lickin' thats so sad..
I have not seen any good emulation beside UAD, anyone??
Lowering the threshold does not equal increasing the ratio :/
I’m getting better at the chicken game
Comment for da algorithm
Streak count: 272
And API stands for American Petroleum Institute? 😀😄
Application Program Interface
Yea. How tf do I use this thing.
Disappointed not to have seen more examples of using the bus compressor... Thanks for the video anyway.
Is that Jamstix I can hear? Sure sounds like it.
I love Jamstix for ‘real’ drums. I’ve yet to find something else, even so called ‘AI’, that sounds as much like a real drummer.
I suppose what Rayzoon does is AI - at least with the bastardised marketing version of AI we now have all over the place. Spoiler, AI in computer games isn’t. Even Chat GPT isn’t really, although it uses principles from AI research to do its thing. Anyway. AI or no AI, Jamstix is like having a drummer on tap.
Please pronounce ratio as Ray-She-O instead of Ray-Chi-O
Ratsio lol like pizzzaaa
No. The man speaks it as it is written in the crazy English language. Do you speak Dutch?
temu
snake oil studio
It still sounds like AI, d'you know?! Namastè.
wowwowoowww magic woooowww itsl ike any other comp