The API 550 equalizer played a major role in the recording industry during the 1960s and 1970s. Originally designed for integration into API consoles, this latest version 550 “ B” is a continuation of the 550 of 1967 and the 550A with an additional frequency band and several new frequencies. Featuring exclusive API circuitry and proprietary components such as the legendary API 2520 op-amp, the 550B skillfully blends the past and the present. So many planetary hits rely on the 550's unique sound that the 550B will be an indispensable tool you turn to again and again.
Many equalizers today offer a gigantic assortment of complex functions, but the 550B API includes exactly the right number of controls needed by the professional engineer. Desperately simple at first glance, the 550B's four EQ bands intersect significantly to serve dual functions like simultaneous problem solving and sweetening. Each band offers 7 filter center frequencies spanning 4 to 5 octaves, selected by the experience of a elite list of top engineers. The design of this reissue comes from original diagrams and drawings taken from the API archives.
The benefits of the 550B API will be most evident to those who use EQ extensively. The 550B's ability to reverse a tonal change is perhaps its most important feature. If major tonal restructuring is required, the impressive gain headroom made possible by the API 2520 op-amp allows for predictable and enjoyable analog performance under duress. With a surprising range of tonal variations, it doesn't get better than the 550B API.
Features:
- API 500 EQ module
- 4-band EQ with 7 frequency choices per band
- Bands 1 and 4 with shelf filter
- Increase/decrease range of ±12 dB
- Traditional API design with discrete circuits
- Wide range of +30 dB before clipping
- Re-issue of the API 550 EQ series from 1967 with an extra band
- Requires a Lunchbox 500-6B or 500VPR API for installation