Waves API 550
User Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
1.1 WELCOME...........................................................................................................................................................3
1.2 PRODUCT OVERVIEW ..........................................................................................................................................4
1.3 COMPONENTS .....................................................................................................................................................5
CHAPTER 2 – QUICKSTART GUIDE .......................................................................................................................6
CHAPTER 3 – CONTROLS AND INTERFACE.........................................................................................................7
3.1 EQ SECTION.......................................................................................................................................................8
3.2 OUTPUT SECTION..............................................................................................................................................12
3.3 WAVESYSTEM TOOLBAR.................................................................................................................................13
APPENDIX A – 550A CONTROLS..........................................................................................................................14
APPENDIX B – 550B CONTROLS..........................................................................................................................14
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Chapter 1 – Introduction
1.1 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.
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1.2 Product Overview
The Waves API 550 consists of the API 550A, a 3-Band parametric equalizer with 5 fixed cutoff points
per band and the API 550B, a 4-Band parametric equalizer with 7 fixed cutoff points per band.
Modeled on the late 1960’s legend, the API 550A EQ delivers a sound that has been a hallmark of high
end studios
three overlapping ranges. The high and low frequency ranges are individually selectable as either
peaking or shelving, and a band-pass filter can be inserted independently of all other settings.
Featuring four overlapped EQ bands, the API 550B features 7 switchable filter frequencies spanning up
to 5 octaves per band. “Proportional Q” automatically widens the filter bandwidth at lower settings and
narrows it at higher settings. It even lets you undo previous processing, affect or even reverse tonal
modifications. With its vast range of tonal possibilities, the API 550B is an exceptionally versatile EQ.
for decades.
It provides reciproca
Waves API 550 User Manual
equalization at 15 points in 5 steps of boost divided into
l
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1.3 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
choose the configuration best suited to your material.
The API 550 has four component processors:
API 550A Stereo – A 3-Band stereo
API 550A Mono
API 550B Stereo – A 4-Band stereo
API 550B Mono
– A 3-Band mono equalizer
– A 4-Band mono equalizer
equalizer
equalizer
processor gives you the flexibility to
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Chapter 2 – Quickstart Guide
Approach the Waves API 550 as you would any conventional EQ. Since the API 550 features
“Proportional Q,” which intuitively widens the filt
settings, fe
will deliver smooth, natural, and musical sound even at the most extreme settings.
el free to push the API 550 harder than you normally would other equalizers. The API 550
er bandwidth at lower settings and
narrows it at
higher
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Chapter 3 – Controls and Interface
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3.1 EQ Section
API 550A Controls
Low Band Gain
Range
-12dB to +12dB (2-3dB steps)
Default
0dB
Low Band Frequency
Filter types
Shelf, Bell
Default
Shelf
Cutoff points
50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 300Hz, 400Hz
Default
50Hz
Mid Band Gain
Range
-12dB to +12dB (2-3dB steps)
Default
0dB
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Mid Band Frequency
Range
.4kHz, .8kHz, 1.5kHz, 3kHz, 5kHz
Default
1.5kHz
Filter types
Bell
High Band Gain
Range
-12dB to +12dB (2-3dB steps)
Default
0dB
High Band Frequency
Range
5kHz, 7kHz, 10kHz, 12.5kHz, 15kHz
Default
7kHz
Bandpass Filter
Applies a 50Hz-15kHz bandpass filter to the entire signal
Low Shelf/Bell Selector
Range
Shelf or Bell
Default
Shelf
High Shelf/Bell Selector
Range
Shelf or Bell
Default
Shelf
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API 550B Controls
Low Band
Low Band Frequency
Low Mid Band Gain
Low Mid Band Frequenc
Gain
Range
-12dB to +12dB (2-3dB steps)
Default
0dB
Range
30Hz, 40Hz, 50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 300Hz, 400Hz
Default
50Hz
Filter types
Shelf, Bell
Cutoff points
30Hz, 40Hz, 50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 300Hz, 400Hz
Range
-12dB to +12dB (2-3dB steps)
Default
0dB
Range
75Hz, 150Hz, 180Hz, 240Hz, 500Hz, 700Hz, 1kHz
Default
500Hz
Filter types
Bell
Cutoff points
75Hz, 150Hz, 180Hz, 240Hz, 500Hz, 700Hz, 1kHz
y
High Mid Band Gain
Range
-12dB to +12dB (2-3dB steps)
Default
0dB
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High Mid Band Frequency
Range
0.8kHz, 1.5kHz, 3kHz, 5kHz, 8kHz, 10kHz, 12.5kHz
Default
5kHz
Filter types
Bell
Cutoff points
0.8kHz, 1.5kHz, 3kHz, 5kHz, 8kHz, 10kHz, 12.5kHz
High Band Gain
Range
-12dB to 12dB (2-3dB steps)
Default
Off
High Band Frequenc
Range
2.5kHz, 5kHz, 7kHz, 10kHz, 12.5kHz, 15kHz, 20kHz
Default
10kHz
Filter types
Shelf, Bell
Cutoff points
2.5kHz, 5kHz, 7kHz, 10kHz, 12.5kHz, 15kHz, 20kHz
Low Shelf/
High Shelf/Bell Selector
In
Turns the EQ On/O
Bell Selector
Range
Shelf or Bell
Default
Shelf
Range
Shelf or Bell
Default
Shelf
Range
On/Off
Default
On
y
ff but leaves the Analog modeling.
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3.2 Output Section
The Output section, which is identical on both the API 550A and API 550B, consist
Polarity (Phase Inversion) Analog Modeling, Output Level, and Trim.
Pol (Polarity)
Shifts the phase by 180 degrees.
Range
0deg-180de
Default
0deg
Analog
Turns the Analog modeling on and off.
Range
On/Off
Default
Off
g
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s of controls for
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Output
Controls the output level.
Range
-18dB to +18dB (in 0.1dB steps)
Default
0dB
Trim
Displays the maximum peak level of the output signal and its distance from nominal gain (-0.1dBfs).
Range
-inf to 0dB
Default
-inf
Meters
The API 550 meters display output le
when output signal
is clipping.
vel in dBFS. The LED located between the two meters lights up
3.3 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.
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Appendix A – 550A Controls
Control Range Default
Low Band Gain
Low Band Frequency
Mid Band Gain
Mid Band Frequency
High Band Gain
High Band Frequency
Filter
Low shelf/bell selector
High shelf/bell selector
Output
Trim
Analog
-12dB to 12dB (2-3dB’s steps) 0dB
50Hz,100Hz,200Hz,300Hz,400Hz 50Hz
-12dB to 12dB(2-3dB’s steps) 0dB
.4kHz,.8kHz,1.5kHz,3kHz,5kHz. 1.5kHz
-12dB to 12dB(2-3dB’s steps) 0dB
5kHz,7kHz,10kHz,12.5kHz,15kHz. 7kHz
Bandpass 50Hz-15kHz Off
Shelf or Bell Shelf
Shelf or Bell Shelf
-18dB to 18dB 0dB
-inf to 0dB -inf
On/Off
Off
Phase
0deg- 180deg 0deg
Appendix B – 550B Controls
Control Range Default
Low Band Gain
Low Band Frequency
Low Mid Band Gain
Low Mid Band Frequency
High Mid Band Gain
High Mid Band Frequency
High Band Gain
High Band Frequency
Low shelf/bell selector
High shelf/bell selector
Output
Trim
Analog
30Hz,40Hz,50Hz,100Hz,200Hz,300Hz,400Hz 50Hz
75Hz,150Hz,180Hz,240Hz,500Hz,700Hz,1kHz. 500Hz
0.8kHz,1.5kHz,3kHz,5kHz,8kHz,10kHz,12.5kHz. 5kHz
2.5kHz,5kHz,7kHz,10kHz,12.5kHz,15kHz,20kHz. 10kHz
-12dB to 12dB(2-3dB’s steps) 0dB
-12dB to 12dB(2-3dB’s steps) 0dB
-12dB to 12dB(2-3dB’s steps) 0dB
-12dB to 12dB(2-3dB’s steps) Off
Shelf or Bell Shelf
Shelf or Bell Shelf
-18dB to 18dB 0dB
-inf to 0dB -inf
On/Off
Off
Phase
0deg- 180deg 0deg
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es API 550 User Manual
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