WAVES API 2500 User Manual
- June 7, 2024
- WAVES
Table of Contents
- Chapter 1 Introduction
- Welcome
- Product Overview
- Concepts and Terminology
- Components
- Chapter 2 Quickstart Guide
- Chapter 3 Controls and Interface
- Compressor Section
- Tone Section
- Link Section
- Meter Display
- Output Section
- WaveSystem Toolbar
- References
- Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
- Download This Manual (PDF format)
Waves API 2500
User Manual
Chapter 1 Introduction
Welcome
Thank you for choosing Waves! In order to get the most out of your new Waves
plugin, please take a moment to read this user guide.
To install software and manage your licenses, you need to have a free Waves
account. Sign up at www.waves.com. With a Waves
account you can keep track of your products, renew your Waves Update Plan,
participate in bonus programs, and keep up to date with important information.
We suggest that you become familiar with the Waves Support pages:
www.waves.com/support. There are technical
articles about installation, troubleshooting, specifications, and more. Plus,
you’ll find company contact information and Waves Support news.
Product Overview
The API 2500 is a versatile dynamics processor that lets you shape the punch and tone of mixes with absolute accuracy. Its dual channel design lets the 2500 also function as two separate mono channels via a single compression setting. Using auto-makeup gain, you can adjust Threshold or Ratio while automatically maintaining a constant output level. With both Feed Back and Feed Forward compression types, the API 2500 boasts a wide range of incredibly musical parameters which have made it a favorite of engineers the world over.
Concepts and Terminology
There are 3 main parameters that set the API 2500 from other compressors: Thrust, Compression Type, and its adjustable Knee. When used in conjunction with one another, these parameters give the API 2500 unprecedented flexibility.
Knee
Sets the knee, the manner in which the compressor begins to reduce the gain of
the signal.
- In the Hard position, gain reduction begins immediately at the set ratio.
- In the Med position, there is a slight fade-in to the set ratio.
- In the Soft position, there is an even more gradual fade-in to the set ratio.
Thrust
Sets the Thrust, a proprietary process that inserts a High Pass Filter at the
RMS detector input, limiting compression response to lower frequencies while
applying additional compression to higher frequencies.
- In Norm mode, there is no filter and the 2500 functions like a normal compressor.
- In Med mode, there is a slight attenuation of the low frequencies and a slight boost of the high frequencies, with a flat mid range affecting the signal into the RMS detector. This reduces pumping caused by low frequencies and increases the RMS detectors’ sensitivity to higher frequencies, affecting higher frequency signal peaks.
- In Loud mode, a gradual linear filter attenuates level by 15dB at 20hz and increases level by 15dB at 20khz. This decreases low frequency pumping while increasing higher frequency compression.
Type
Sets the Compression type, which determines the signal source being fed to the
RMS detector.
- In New (Feed Forward) mode, the compressor works like newer VCA-based compressors. The RMS detector sends a signal to the VCA that is an exact ratio of the desired compression, set by the ratio control.
- In Old (Feed Back) mode, the RMS detector receives a signal from the VCA output, and then feeds the VCA a signal based on the set signal ratio.
Components
WaveShell technology enables us to split Waves processors into smaller plug-
ins, which we call components. Having a choice of components for a particular
processor gives you the flexibility to choose a configuration suitable for
your material.
The API 2500 has two component processors:
API 2500 Stereo - A stereo compressor that may also be used as two
parallel mono processors.
API 2500 Mono - A mono compressor with an external sidechain option.
Chapter 2 Quickstart Guide
For those of you who are experienced users of audio signal processing tools, we recommend that you approach the API 2500 as you would any compressor which you are already familiar. Keep in mind that its Thrust, Compression Type, and Knee parameters offer capabilities that transcend other, more conventional, processors.
Newer users should explore the API 2500’s preset library and use its presets
as starting points for their own experimentation. These presets also serve as
a valuable introduction to compression techniques in general, and offer a
glimpse into the workflow of professional audio engineers.
We encourage all users to experiment with the API 2500’s settings in order to
better understand its unique processing power.
Chapter 3 Controls and Interface
Compressor Section
Threshold
Sets the point at which compression begins. Threshold for each stereo channel
is set independently, since each channel has its own RMS detector, even in
Link mode. In Auto Gain Make-up mode, the Threshold also affects the gain.
Threshold is a continuous control.
Range
+10dBu to -20dBu (-12dBFS to -42dBFS)
Default
0dBu
Attack
Sets the attack time of each channel.
Range
.03ms, .1ms, .3ms, 1ms, 3ms, 10ms, 30ms
Default
1ms
Ratio
Sets the compression ratio of each channel. In Auto Gain Make-up mode, Ratio
also affects the gain.
Range
1.5:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1, 10:1, inf:1
Default
4:1
Release
Sets the Release time of the compressor. When set to Variable, Release time is
controlled by the Variable Release control, located to the right of the
Release control.
Range .05sec, .1sec, .2sec, .5sec, 1sec, 2sec, Variable
Default
.5sec
Variable Release
Controls the release time with a continuously variable knob. (Please note:
Release control must be set to Variable.)
Range
.05 seconds to 3 seconds in steps of 0.01ms
Default
5sec
Tone Section
Knee
Sets the Knee, the manner in which the compressor begins to reduce the signal
gain.
Range
Hard, Med, Soft
Default
Hard
Thrust
Sets the Thrust, a proprietary process that inserts a High Pass Filter at the
RMS detector input, limiting compression response to lower frequencies while
applying additional compression to higher frequencies.
Range
Loud, Med, Norm
Default
Norm
Type
Sets the Compression type, which determines the signal source being fed to the
RMS detector. Range Feed Back, Feed Forward Default Feed Forward
A note about Sidechain:
Sidechain lets you trigger the compressor using an external source, which is
fed into the RMS detector and controls the compression of the input signal.
Sidechain may only be used in New (Feed Forward) mode. An external sidechain
trigger cannot be used in Old (Feed Back) mode; attempting to do so
automatically switches the compressor to New (Feed Forward) mode.
Link Section
L/R Link
Sets the percentage of linkage between the left and right channels. While in
Link mode, each channel is still controlled by its own RMS detector, which
prevents loading and slaving from either side.
Range IND, 50%, 60%,70%,80%,90%,100%
Default
100%
Shape
Adjusts the Shape of the link control voltage mixing. The HP (high pass
filter, LP low pass filter eliminating the highs and a combination of both
filters creating a band pass filter. the value of this circuit allows the Link
control voltage to not include certain frequencies. Different filter
combinations can be used, for example, to prevent percussive instruments on
one channel from coupling and causing unwanted compression on the other
channel.
Range HP, LP, BP, Off
Default
Off
Meter Display
Meters
The API 2500’s Meters display dBFS. The Gain scale displays the amount of gain
reduction during compression with the 0 point located at the far the right,
which allows higher gain reduction scale resolution.. The API 2500 is capable
of up to 30dB of reduction.
Range
0dB to -24dB (Gain Reduction mode)
-24dB to 0dB (Input and Output modes)
Switchable Display Modes
Range
GR, Out, In
Default
GR
Clip LED
Between the two Meters is a Clip LED which indicates input or output clipping.
Since the LED shows both input and output clipping, you must determine which
of the two levels is excessive. The Clip LED can be reset by clicking on it.
Output Section
Analog
Turns the Analog modeling on and off.
Range
On/Off
Default
On
Output
Controls the output level in 0.1dB steps
Range
+/-24dB
Default
0dB
Make-Up
Turns Auto Make-Up Gain on and off.
Range
Auto, Manual
Default
Auto
In
Acts as a master bypass for the entire compression chain. When set to Out, all
compressor functions are bypassed.
Range
In/Out
Default
In
WaveSystem Toolbar
Use the bar at the top of the plugin to save and load presets, compare settings, undo and redo steps, and resize the plugin. To learn more, click the icon at the upper-right corner of the window and open the WaveSystem Guide.
Appendix A API 2500 Controls
Control | Range | Default |
---|---|---|
Threshold | +10dBu to -20dBu | OdBu |
Attack | .03ms, .1ms, .3ms, 1ms, 3ms, 10ms, 30ms | 1ms |
Ratio | 1.5:1, 2:1, 3:1 4:1 6:1 10:1 inf:1 | 4:01 |
Release | .05sec, .1sec, .2sec, .5sec, 1sec, 2sec, Var | .5sec |
Release Variable | .05 to3sec in steps of 0.01ms | .5sec |
Knee | Hard, Med, Soft | Hard |
Thrust | Loud, Med, Norm | Norm |
Type | FeedBack, Feed forwards | Feed Forwards |
L/R Link | IND, 50%,60%,70%,80%,90%,100% | 100% |
Link Filter | Off, HP, LP, BP | Off |
Make-up | Auto, Manual | Auto |
Meter | GR, OUT, IN | GR |
Analog | On/Off | Odeg |
In | In/Out | In |
Output | +/-24dB | 0dB |
Waves API 2500 User Manual