The official emulation of the famed API bus compressor – excellent on everything, and especially on drums, bass and the stereo bus.

Based on precise VCA-type technology, the API 2500 delivers the right solution for virtually any compression need, with a choice of compressor topology, punch and tone. Switch between vintage feedback and modern feedforward designs, pick one of three knee curves and seven attack times from 0.03 to 30 ms, and use the proprietary Thrust option to shape gut-punching bass. The Mix control makes parallel compression easy, and variable stereo linking helps you glue groups, drum buses or your entire mix – a punchy vibe treasured by producers in hip hop, pop, R and B, dance and rock.

Features

• Official emulation, modelled in close collaboration with API
• Thrust option for gut-punching bass
• Vintage feedback or modern feedforward design, 3 knee curves
• 7 attack times from 0.03 to 30 ms, fixed or variable release up to 3 s
• Mix control for parallel compression, infinity:1 ratio for limiting
• Variable L/R linking from 50 to 100 %, also tied to frequency ranges

Technical details

• Operating systems: Windows, macOS
• Plug-in formats: VST3, Audio Unit (macOS only), AAX
• Architecture: 64 bit
• Licensing: licence key, machine-bound or USB flash drive (via Waves Central)

System requirements

• macOS 14 Sonoma, 15 Sequoia, 26 Tahoe or 27 Golden Gate (Apple silicon or Intel)
• Windows 10 64-bit (version 22H2) or Windows 11 (Intel or AMD, x64)
• 16 GB RAM
• 30 GB free disk space on the system drive

The licence is registered with the manufacturer at https://www.waves.com/downloads/central. You will receive your serial number and the download link by e-mail immediately after purchase.