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API 525 [message #372510]

Mon, 15 September 2008 22:58

Andres Gonzalez
Messages: 238
Registered: October 2004
Location: Central New Jersey

Active Member

Anybody here use these?

With both button1 and button2 out, is the release .1 seconds? And then with both in, the release is 2.5? I do not hear much difference using these buttons.

What is the difference between Off and Bypass? Off does not turn off the light in the meter but bypass does--a little confusing.

I have heard these are good for guitar. I am trying it now on guitars but I have not been able to find a sweet spot yet. What have you found these useful for?

-Andres

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Re: API 525 [message #372555 is a reply to message #372510 ]

Tue, 16 September 2008 05:52

Fletcher
Messages: 2152
Registered: April 2004
Location: Foxboro, MA

Platinum Member

The release "hear-ability" on the release is somewhat program dependent... no buttons is a .1 second release [a real 'punch getter' on percussive stuff], top button in .5 seconds [again kinda 'punchy'... bottom button engaged 2 seconds... both buttons 2.5 seconds [which I've found some use for... but not much].

The difference between "off" and "bypass" is that when the unit is "off" it is entirely out of the signal path [the input is routed directly to the output] while with "bypass" the audio runs through the amplifier... which means you get the character of the 2520 op-amp in your signal.

Also understand that the "in" and the "ceiling" are interdependent. The "in" knob is the 'threshold' and the 'ceiling' is like a 'ratio' knob as it defines the knee of the compression... you can pretty much make it a limiter or you can go for a softer knee and use it like a compressor. They're kind of a bitch to figure out... and while not my favorite guitar compressor [the Burgin McDaniel "Komit" gets that honor] I have found 525's absolutely stellar for a ton of vocal applications... and on some occasions, bass.

They can also be set to be exceptionally helpful when you run into a "happy foot" drummer [you know the guy... he's the one who hits the kik like a little girl during the song and then winds up and whacks the thing with all he's got on the "1" leading into the chorus].

I hope this is of assistance.

Peace.

Fletcher
Mercenary Audio

mwagener wrote on Sat, 11 September 2004 14:33
We are selling emotions, there are no emotions in a grid

"Recording engineers are an arrogant bunch.
If you've spent most of your life with a few thousand dollars worth of musicians in the studio, making a decision every second and a half... and you and they are going to have to live with it for the rest of your lives, you'll get pretty arrogant too. It takes a certain amount of balls to do that... something around three"
Malcolm Chisholm

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Re: API 525 [message #372641 is a reply to message #372510 ]

Tue, 16 September 2008 13:29

Andres Gonzalez
Messages: 238
Registered: October 2004
Location: Central New Jersey

Active Member

Very helpful Fletcher--thanks for the response.

I have only tried it on guitar and bass so far. I will try it next on vox as per your suggestion.

It is taking a bit to figure out, but I must admit that I like the Ceiling control. It is really nice to have a single control for compression that does not reduce the level correspondingly--very cool.

-Andres

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Re: API 525 [message #373042 is a reply to message #372510 ]

Wed, 17 September 2008 22:15

Andres Gonzalez
Messages: 238
Registered: October 2004
Location: Central New Jersey

Active Member

bump...

Anybody else have any experience with this compressor?

thanks,

-Andres

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Re: API 525 [message #373047 is a reply to message #372510 ]

Wed, 17 September 2008 23:04

tom eaton
Messages: 2545
Registered: May 2004
Location: Newburyport, MA

Platinum Member

http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/333175/2571/?sr ch=225l#msg_333175

Fletcher wrote on Sun, 13 April 2008 08:22

The 225L kicks the living shit out of the 525 compressor in every sense of the word!! It's basically a single channel compressor [which can be linked] that is 1/2 of their 2500 "stereo buss" unit. It is remarkably versatile, great sounding, and all in all -- AWESOME --

Have you made up with the 525, Fletcher? Paul Kochanski says hi.

tom

thomas eaton recording
acoustic music guy
http://www.thomaseaton.com

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Re: API 525 [message #373222 is a reply to message #372510 ]

Thu, 18 September 2008 16:25

Andres Gonzalez
Messages: 238
Registered: October 2004
Location: Central New Jersey

Active Member

I recognize that one cannot believe 100% of what Marketing says, however, I still thought there would be more users of the API 525 out there. But judging by the response to this post, I guess not many people have used this compressor.

The API product sheet for the 525 compressor says that it is

"...one of the most popular API products ever."

"The API 525 is perhaps the most successful solid state feedback compressor in history."

Wow, those are bold statements. If I were to judge by forum "chatter" then I would suspect that the 550s are the "most popular" API product--but who am I to say.

Still, I am surprised not many have use the 525.

-Andres

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Re: API 525 [message #373356 is a reply to message #373047 ]

Fri, 19 September 2008 06:54

Fletcher
Messages: 2152
Registered: April 2004
Location: Foxboro, MA

Platinum Member

tom eaton wrote on Thu, 18 September 2008 00:04

http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/333175/2571/?sr ch=225l#msg_333175

Fletcher wrote on Sun, 13 April 2008 08:22

Have you made up with the 525, Fletcher? Paul Kochanski says hi.

tom

We were never at odds... I just think there is a better tool in the API arsenal than the 525 [which I wish they would make into a 500 series frame format].

I'm going to guess that you mean Paul Kochanski the most excellent bass player and not Paul Kochanski the patent and trademark attorney? The bass player is one of my favorite to record... very little is necessary other than plugging him in and letting him deliver a great sound to you... very little compression necesary!! FWIW, last time I recorded him we were just starting to check out the "Komit"... it was on his bass track on a Jim Gambino song that I fell in love with the damn compressor!!

Peace.

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Re: API 525 [message #373357 is a reply to message #372510 ]

Fri, 19 September 2008 07:03

tom eaton
Messages: 2545
Registered: May 2004
Location: Newburyport, MA

Platinum Member

Ahhh... I thought you had kicked the 525 out of the house!

Yes, Paul the bass player. In the past two years he's become my go to for upright... nice people who are great players make my life SO much easier.

tom

thomas eaton recording
acoustic music guy
http://www.thomaseaton.com

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Re: API 525 [message #373891 is a reply to message #372510 ]

Mon, 22 September 2008 14:23

Fletcher
Messages: 2152
Registered: April 2004
Location: Foxboro, MA

Platinum Member

Nahhh... 525's are always welcome when there is room... which unfortunately ain't often.

Paul is one of the better players I get to record from time to time... always a pleasure.

Peace.

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Re: API 525 [message #375135 is a reply to message #372510 ]

Sat, 27 September 2008 10:58

rob s
Messages: 36
Registered: May 2007
Location: los angeles

Member

i have noticed having a prference for the old big meter 525's over
the small meter ones.
i find them more usable less grabby.
dont know what the circuit difference is.
i think there are 4 different versions of the old 525's.

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Re: API 525 [message #376729 is a reply to message #372510 ]

Sun, 05 October 2008 10:38

wwittman
Messages: 5922
Registered: May 2004
Location: New York

Platinum Member

the 525 has been my favourite vocal compressor for 25 years now.

In fact, I rarely like anything else.
I love the thing.

but I rarely use it on anything else

William Wittman
Producer/Engineer
(Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osborne, The Fixx, The Outfield, Hooters...)

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Re: API 525 [message #376837 is a reply to message #376729 ]

Sun, 05 October 2008 22:35

IntenseJim
Messages: 12
Registered: September 2008
Location: Lake Tahoe-Reno usally Sq...

Member

wwittman wrote on Sun, 05 October 2008 10:38

the 525 has been my favourite vocal compressor for 25 years now.

In fact, I rarely like anything else.
I love the thing.

but I rarely use it on anything else

Curiuos what else you use and prefer? Smile

If you are not playing in the snow, then you're just not playing.

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Re: API 525 [message #376913 is a reply to message #372510 ]

Mon, 06 October 2008 10:56

Fletcher
Messages: 2152
Registered: April 2004
Location: Foxboro, MA

Platinum Member

I have to say that the more I use the Burgin McDaniel "Komit" the more I like it... in many ways it's kind of a "more HiFi" version of the 525.

As always, YMMV.

Peace.

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Re: API 525 [message #377054 is a reply to message #376837 ]

Mon, 06 October 2008 22:54

wwittman
Messages: 5922
Registered: May 2004
Location: New York

Platinum Member

IntenseJim wrote on Sun, 05 October 2008 23:35

wwittman wrote on Sun, 05 October 2008 10:38

the 525 has been my favourite vocal compressor for 25 years now.

In fact, I rarely like anything else.
I love the thing.

but I rarely use it on anything else

Curiuos what else you use and prefer? Smile

on what?

http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/t/22955/2122/

William Wittman
Producer/Engineer
(Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osborne, The Fixx, The Outfield, Hooters...)

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