API Audio 5500 Dual Equalizer

API Audio's 5500 Dual Equalizer is a stereo equalizer which is essentially two API 550's within a single casing. This is an analog piece of gear that has XLR connections for both inputs and outputs, and also has a 1/4" input for each channel as well. It is rack mountable and will only take up a single space in a traditional rack casing.

UTILIZATION

Even if you aren't familiar with the API 550's, the API Audio 5500 Dual Equalizer is still pretty simple to use. Each of the two channels has four bands to work with, each with parameters for gain and frequency. Each channel also has buttons for setting the slope between the low and low mid and high and high mids. One parameter that is unique to the 5500 rather than the 550's is that it has range parameters that allow you to set which amount of db range you'd like the gain parameters to go to. A manual shouldn't be necessary here...

SOUND QUALITY

The sound of the API Audio 5500 Dual Equalizer is outstanding all the way around, as it's got a super clean tone that won't color your sound at all beyond the EQ moves you make. It's perfect for getting a quick boost or gain to a certain frequency, as the full frequency spectrum is pretty well represented amongst the four bands. It's definitely a versatile EQ, especially with the added range parameter that isn't found on the 550's. I've always found these EQ's to be really easy to use and to really clean sounding, which is basically what makes up a good EQ in my mind.

OVERALL OPINION

While the EQ's inside of the API Audio 5500 Dual Equalizer are outstanding, I'm not 100% sure it's worth buying within this setting. Honestly, I'd rather start a 500 series lunchbox with a couple of these in it rather than get the 5500, as having them racked up adds a lot to the price. So while I guess you can't really go wrong here beyond the expensive price, if you're counting your dollars it's probably best to be a bit more economical and go with a lunchbox and a couple of 550's...

EQ dual mono, two independent channels (no link), setting the frequency and boost / cut, while it notched. Output transformers. No adjustment of Q, the latter becoming increasingly close with the boost or cut. Shelf option on the bass and treble.

Range practice setting (0.25, 0.5 and 1) that divides by 4 or 2 gain values. Of course if one is 1, the boost / cut will be the value indicated on the knob. It allows for a versatile EQ for both large corrections to the mix for minor alterations to mastering.

UTILIZATION

It is very simple, there are not many settings, no need for manual ... just a good pair of ears.

SOUND QUALITY

Come in the main: the sound. API is a name that makes you dream and we tend to think that all their products are perfect and unbeatable. In short, this EQ is very good but for me it is not 100% useable. Let me explain.

I think it is an excellent cleaner midbass. There or many analog or digital EQ merely cut by leaving us a hole in the lower midrange, the API did it with class. Mastering, we can clean mix a little deaf, while keeping the body, without sounding too thin. It gives me great strength of this EQ.

After that, I am not convinced by the low and high frequencies. For me, a Dangerous Music BAX be much higher. I did A / B testing between the PLC and BAX that I have too, and frankly BAX came out top every time. BAX has serious much cleaner and music. Acute BAX sound less aggressive than the API again, more musical. BAX and filters are tops, it lacks the API.

High mids API are not very pleasant, at least for a config mastering. In mixing, they can be nice to give life to electric guitars, or a potato snare. But it is not in the same register as the Massive Passive ...

The strength of this EQ is in the controlled medium and low mids. A slight boost to 2.5k on an electro track is insane and immediately gives a potato hell without it becoming aggressive.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a little over six months, mainly for mastering. But it does not stick to any style.

This is a fairly violent EQ (fortunately the Range knob is) and it is rather paradoxical for an EQ that appears as a mastering EQ ... For electro, rock, metal, it is top, I want to say, especially for electro where he really excels thanks to the potato and the cleanliness of its mediums. For hip hop is top but not all the pieces ... it depends on the mood. on the other hand for acoustic music, folk or other soft music, this is to forget.

I also use it to mix, especially for guitars, where he excelled to give them life and bite without the result becomes irritating to the ear. I also do a lot of re-amping with to snap a few more tracks that have been made in software (mainly drums).

To conclude I would say it is a very good EQ, but not very versatile, and a little too violent. It is excellent for cleaning mastering mixes a bit deaf or fuzzy, and give teeth to electro tracks. It is very good also in the mix for some instruments (especially guitars). By against the serious and acute disappointing compared to the price of the machine. You can get better results with such a Dangerous BAX. Its high mids are also a little too aggressive and not always usable.

A good machine to be acquired for any serious engineer who wants to do a good job and who wants a good control of mediums, but in addition to other EQ, and not only EQ. It's still a bit expensive compared to the results provided. You pay a little mark ...