Chapter 2 – Quickstart Guide

Approach the Waves API 560 as you would any conventional graphic EQ. Since the API 560 features “Proportional Q,” which intuitively widens the filter bandwidth at lower settings and narrows it at higher settings, feel free to push the API 560 harder than you normally would other equalizers. The API 560 will deliver smooth, natural, and musical sound even at extreme settings.

Waves API 560 User Manual

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Waves API560 user manual Quickstart Guide

API560 specifications

The Waves API560 is a highly regarded equalizer that combines the classic analog design with cutting-edge digital technology, making it a popular choice among music producers and sound engineers. This plugin emulates the iconic API 560 equalizer, known for its distinctive sound and ease of use. The API560 is renowned for its ability to shape and enhance audio with precision, offering a versatile toolset for both mixing and mastering.

One of the main features of the Waves API560 is its user-friendly interface, which provides an intuitive workflow for adjusting frequencies. The device includes 10 frequency bands, each with a range of +/- 12 dB gain, allowing for significant tonal shaping while maintaining the integrity of the original sound. The unique bands include a low-shelf, multiple mid-range adjustments, and a high-shelf, enabling engineers to boost or cut specific frequencies easily.

The technology behind the Waves API560 leverages advanced modeling techniques to recreate the warmth and character of the original analog unit. Waves has meticulously analyzed the original hardware to ensure that the plugin delivers the same sonic qualities that users have come to appreciate over decades. The result is a plugin that not only provides the tonal versatility of the API560 but also includes the benefits of digital processing, such as automation and recallability.

In addition to its primary equalization capabilities, the Waves API560 features a high-pass filter and a user-selectable output trim, enhancing control over the final output level. This functionality is crucial when dealing with complex mixes, ensuring that levels are optimized without introducing unwanted noise.

The API560 plugin is designed to seamlessly integrate into any digital audio workstation (DAW), allowing for easy insertion on tracks, buses, and the master channel. Its lightweight processing ensures minimal CPU usage, making it suitable for large projects without compromising performance.

Overall, the Waves API560 combines the best of both worlds: the warmth and character of analog equipment with the flexibility and practicality of modern digital technology. It is an essential tool for any producer or engineer looking to achieve that legendary API sound in their productions while enjoying the conveniences of contemporary audio processing.