{"product_id":"api-audio-550a-3-band-eq-149970","title":"550A 3-Band EQ","description":"\u003ch3\u003eA classic born in the era of large consoles, reissued for modern studios\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFew equalizers have marked the history of recording as much as the API 550A. Designed by Saul Walker in the late 1960s, this discrete design initially existed as an embedded module (OEM) before being adopted by engineers and integrators building high-end \"homebrew\" consoles. Many configurations from that era are still in use today, proving the longevity of the concept.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOver time, the 550A became a benchmark: an immediately recognizable sound, often imitated but difficult to replicate exactly. When API began manufacturing its own consoles in 1971, the 550A naturally established itself as the standard equalizer module. Due to persistent demand, production was relaunched in 2004, allowing current studios to regain this historic character in the API 500 series format.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFor whom and for what: sculpt quickly, decide quickly, record better\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 550A is aimed at sound engineers, producers, and demanding home-studiers who want an \u003cstrong\u003eefficient\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003erepeatable\u003c\/strong\u003e, and decision-oriented equalization. Its switched frequencies, dual-knob ergonomics, and silent insertion encourage working by ear, without getting lost in infinitely variable settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt excels both during tracking and mixing: adding attack to a snare, opening overheads, solidifying a bass, bringing out a guitar, or simply placing a vocal in the mix with clean and musical corrections. In the 500 series, it easily integrates into a compact chain (preamp, EQ, compressor) to build a custom channel strip, both in the studio and in production racks.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAn EQ architecture designed for musicality: 15 points, 3 overlapping bands, selectable curves\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe API 550A is based on a \u003cstrong\u003e15-point reciprocal equalization\u003c\/strong\u003e, organized into \u003cstrong\u003e3 overlapping bands\u003c\/strong\u003e. Each band offers \u003cstrong\u003e7 selectable frequencies\u003c\/strong\u003e, with progressive gain steps up to \u003cstrong\u003e+\/-12 dB\u003c\/strong\u003e per point. This \"switched\" approach is ideal for working quickly, instantly comparing multiple options, and recalling settings from session to session.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eBass and treble as bell or shelf\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo adapt to the real needs of a mix, bands \u003cstrong\u003e1\u003c\/strong\u003e (bass) and \u003cstrong\u003e3\u003c\/strong\u003e (treble) can be individually switched to \u003cstrong\u003eshelf\u003c\/strong\u003e. This lets you choose between targeted correction (bell) or a broader, more \"tonal\" action (shelf), useful for thickening a source, lightening an overpowering low end, or adding air without harshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eIndependent band-pass filter and silent insertion\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 550A can receive an insertable \u003cstrong\u003eband-pass filter\u003c\/strong\u003e via a dedicated button, independently of other equalization settings. Another \" \u003cstrong\u003ein\u003c\/strong\u003e \" push-button allows silent insertion of the EQ into the signal path, facilitating A\/B comparisons and contextual work without glitches.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eAPI design: discrete circuits and wide headroom before saturation\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eTrue to the brand's tradition, the 550A adopts a typical API \u003cstrong\u003ediscrete circuit design\u003c\/strong\u003e. The result: a clear response, a dynamic feel, and the ability to handle high levels, with \u003cstrong\u003eheadroom of +30 dB\u003c\/strong\u003e before clipping. It's an EQ designed for studio reality, where transients and rich signals can quickly challenge electronics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e@media(max-width:632px){table[data-wb-spec]{display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr) minmax(0,1fr)}table[data-wb-spec] colgroup{display:none}table[data-wb-spec] tbody,table[data-wb-spec] tr{display:contents}table[data-wb-spec] td{display:block;overflow-wrap:anywhere;grid-row:var(--wb-l);background-color:var(--wb-lb)}table[data-wb-spec] td[data-r]{grid-row:var(--wb-r);background-color:var(--wb-rb)}table[data-wb-spec] td[colspan=\"2\"]{grid-column:1\/-1}table[data-wb-spec] td:empty{display:none}}\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003ctable data-wb-spec style=\"width:100%;table-layout:fixed\"\u003e\n\u003ccolgroup\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003c\/colgroup\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:1;--wb-r:2;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCategory\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eequalizer\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEQ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e3 channels\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ctable data-wb-spec style=\"width:100%;table-layout:fixed\"\u003e\n\u003ccolgroup\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003c\/colgroup\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:transparent;--wb-l:1;--wb-r:2;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGain boost\/cut range\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e+\/-12 dB\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeadroom\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e+30 dB before clipping\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Api Audio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54359403659539,"sku":"149970","price":1259.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0984\/0872\/6803\/files\/0f185a2e3fbf8de5e30436f8802e9b67da704564_API_550A.jpg?v=1792587618","url":"https:\/\/woodbrass.shop\/products\/api-audio-550a-3-band-eq-149970","provider":"Woodbrass.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}