Waves Audio API 550 User Guide

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

CHAPTER 4 – THE WAVESYSTEM .......................................................................................................................14

4.1 THE WAVESYSTEM TOOLBAR ............................................................................................................................14

Toolbar Functions.............................................................................................................................................14

4.2 PRESET HANDLING............................................................................................................................................14

Preset Types.....................................................................................................................................................14

Loading Presets and Setups ............................................................................................................................15

Saving Presets and Setups ..............................................................................................................................15

Deleting Presets ...............................................................................................................................................16

A/B Comparison and Copying ..........................................................................................................................16

4.3 INTERFACE CONTROLS ............................................................................................................................... .......16

Toggle Buttons..................................................................................................................................................16

Value Window Buttons......................................................................................................................................17

Sliders...............................................................................................................................................................17

Hover Box.........................................................................................................................................................17

Multiple Selection of Controls...........................................................................................................................17

TAB Functions..................................................................................................................................................18

APPENDIX A – 550A CONTROLS..........................................................................................................................19

APPENDIX B – 550B CONTROLS..........................................................................................................................19

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Chapter 1 – Introduction

1.1 Welcome

Thank you for choosing Waves! In order to get the most out of your Waves processor, please take the
time to read through this manual.

In conjunct
an extensive Answer Base, the latest Tech Specs, detailed Installation guides, new Software
Updates, and current information on Authorization and Registration.

By signing up at www.wavesupport.net
products, reminders when updates are available, and information on your authorization status.

ion, we also suggest that you become familiar with www.wavesupport.net

, you will receive personalized information on your registered

. There you will find

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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 reciprocal equalization at 15 points in 5 steps of boost divided into

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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
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 equalizer
API 550B Mono

– A 3-Band mono equalizer
– A 4-Band mono equalizer

components for a particular processor gives you the flexibility to

equalizer

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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, feel free to push the API 550 harder than you normally would other equalizers. The API 550
will deliver smooth, natural, and musical sound even at the most extreme settings.

er bandwidth at lower settings and

narrows it at higher

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