Universal Audio API 2500 Bus Compressor (Download)

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

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.

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.