Apollo
Native
API 2500 Bus Compressor

API 2500 Bus Compressor

4.9 (408)

Add hit-making glue to your mixes and subgroups.

  • Get the world’s finest emulation of the iconic API 2500 compressor
  • Select between "Old” and "New” compression, with feedback or feed-forward sounds
  • Sharpen your workflow with plug‑in‑only Mix and Headroom controls
  • Punch up low frequencies with API's patented Thrust technology
  • Contour your mix's stereo interaction with percent-based L/R Link controls
  • Mix with artist presets from Jeff Balding (Faith Hill), Vance Powell (Jack White), Ryan Hewitt (Red Hot Chili Peppers), and more

 

Runs natively on your macOS or Windows computer, or accelerated on Apollo audio interfaces or UAD Accelerators. View full system requirements.

API 2500 Bus Compressor

$299

$299

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Add Hit-Making Glue to your Mixes & Subgroups

The API 2500 Bus Compressor plug-in gives you the same unmatched punch and energy of API's flagship limiter, a permanent fixture on the stereo bus of the world's top engineers and producers.

Get the Only End-to-End API 2500 Emulation

With exclusive access to API’s schematics, UA analyzed two classic “golden unit” API 2500s. Working together with API's engineers, we scrutinized every facet of the plug-in against its analog counterpart, giving you the definitive representation of this iconic compressor.

Easily Shape Tone & Dynamics

The API 2500 gives you three custom-voiced compression Knees — Soft, Medium, or Hard. You can shape the tone further with two compression types. "Old" gives you characterful peak-detection harkening back to API's highly-coveted 525, or "New" gives you a modern feed-forward sound.

Get Unmatched Punch with Thrust

Taken from their Paragon series of consoles, the API 2500’s Thrust control evens out the high and low frequency energy — so neither triggers the compressor more than the other. This gives you a tight hallmark API punch beyond any other compressor.

Enhance Energy & Motion

Most compressors only allow you to turn left/right linking on or off. The API 2500 Bus Compressor Link parameters allow for precision control of your mix's L/R dynamic interaction. Set exactly how much dependence or independence you want for your L/R spatial dynamics, and hone your dynamic contours even further with the Shape control.

What They Say

The API 2500 Bus Compressor is the only piece of analog gear that’s stayed consistent with me through the years. Now with the UAD plug-in there is finally a worthy model.

Vance Powell

Jack White, The Dead Weather, The Raconteurs

The API 2500 is my all-time favorite drum bus compressor. The Punch and sound is unmatched by any other in it's class. This is a must have in any studio.

Grieves

Reviews

4.9
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
Based on 408 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 385 Total 4 star reviews: 19 Total 3 star reviews: 2 Total 2 star reviews: 2 Total 1 star reviews: 0
99%would recommend these products
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408 reviews
  • VL
    Valentin L.
    Verified Buyer
    Reviewing
    API 2500 Bus Compressor
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    19 hours ago
    A Studio Classic

    Great on drums and the Mix-Knob makes it perfect for having parallel compression anywhere on the drum bus as insert!

    Was this helpful?
  • BH
    b. h.
    Verified Buyer
    Reviewing
    API 2500 Bus Compressor
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    3 months ago
    2500

    Amazing. The best out there.

    Was this helpful?
  • YX
    Y. X.
    Verified Buyer
    Reviewing
    API 2500 Bus Compressor
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    4 months ago
    Awesome !

    need to try and learn, so much character but not for beginners. never love the SSL G-Bus Glue, cause API 2500 is much easier and punchier!

    Was this helpful?
  • CK
    C. K.
    Verified Buyer
    Reviewing
    API 2500 Bus Compressor
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    6 months ago
    Impressed

    I wasn't sure how much I would like or use this plugin, but because it sounds so good I'm loving it and using it all the time! Well done UA.

    Was this helpful?
  • JV
    J. V.
    Verified Buyer
    Reviewing
    API 2500 Bus Compressor
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    6 months ago
    Sounds amazing

    I’ve compared it to waves API and it doesn’t even come close to how great UAD sounds

    Was this helpful?
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Frequently Asked Questions

No. These plug-ins run natively on your computer. No UA hardware is required.

Yes, 14-day plug-in demos are available. Find eligible plug‑ins

We provide three activations per license. We support activation on your computer or on an iLok USB key.

For every UAD plug-in that supports native and Apollo/UAD-2 versions, you get a license for both upon purchase, or the option to get it through an upgrade.

Native plug-ins are supported on macOS and Windows systems. See our Native UAD System Requirements article for full system requirements. An iLok account is required for managing your native plug-in licenses. We support iLok USB keys for portability, but one is not required.

Check our Knowledge Base for additional questions

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