Favorite API 500 series EQ

JB872 · 15th March 2006

When I looked into buying some eq's for my API rack, the 550A seemed to be the favorite among GS members. So I bought 4 of those and than later on picked up 2 550B's and 2 560B's. After mixing a couple of songs with my 500 series EQ's, I found that the 550A's, on average, are usually the last to get picked for the job. The 550B's and 560B's IMO have more usable frequencies than the 550A's and seem to be more versatile, especially the 560B. I wish I had 4 of those instead. Anyone else feel this way or am I yet to see the potential of the 550A.

superburtm · 15th March 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB872

When I looked into buying some eq's for my API rack, the 550A seemed to be the favorite among GS members. So I bought 4 of those and than later on picked up 2 550B's and 2 560B's. After mixing a couple of songs with my 500 series EQ's, I found that the 550A's, on average, are usually the last to get picked for the job. The 550B's and 560B's IMO have more usable frequencies than the 550A's and seem to be more versatile, especially the 560B. I wish I had 4 of those instead. Anyone else feel this way or am I yet to see the potential of the 550A.

I'm the the exact opposite...I have not been in total love with the 550b

But the 550A is god to me...usually just makes everything better..the 560 is great for kik drum but i will usually go with the 550A for everything else.

GearHunter · 15th March 2006

560s are rippin' for electric guitar!

superburtm · 15th March 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by GearHunter

560s are rippin' for electric guitar!

if you don't have a 550A

JB872 · 15th March 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by superburtm

I'm the the exact opposite...I have not been in total love with the 550b

But the 550A is god to me...usually just makes everything better..the 560 is great for kik drum but i will usually go with the 550A for everything else.

Hey Superburtm

I agree, the 560 is great for the kik drum and once in a while the 550A will get guitar duty. What settings do you commonly use on the 550A for guitars (Filter ON or OFF, low pass--high pass in or out, and what eq boosts and cuts)?

superburtm · 15th March 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB872

Hey Superburtm

I agree, the 560 is great for the kik drum and once in a while the 550A will get guitar duty. What settings do you commonly use on the 550A for guitars (Filter ON or OFF, low pass--high pass in or out, and what eq boosts and cuts)?

well it's hard to say about settings witout hearing the tracks..if a guitar is just bloated sounding too much top and bottom than the filter is a cool place to start..if a guitar is a a bit brittle and harsh then add a little 400 and a lttle 100 and pull of a little 10k in shelf mode...if a guitar is a little dull sounding adding a little 3k and a little 10 k sounds nice again shelving...I hope that helps a bit

JB872 · 15th March 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by superburtm

well it's hard to say about settings witout hearing the tracks..if a guitar is just bloated sounding too much top and bottom than the filter is a cool place to start..if a guitar is a a bit brittle and harsh then add a little 400 and a lttle 100 and pull of a little 10k in shelf mode...if a guitar is a little dull sounding adding a little 3k and a little 10 k sounds nice again shelving...I hope that helps a bit

Thanx for the help and I agree that you have to hear the tracks to know where to start. I like to add the 100 and 400 from time to time as well but I find that the filter takes away too much from the sound. If I want to clean up the sub frequencies, I usually use a high pass plug. How many dB's are you talking about when you say a little?

superburtm · 15th March 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB872

Thanx for the help and I agree that you have to hear the tracks to know where to start. I like to add the 100 and 400 from time to time as well but I find that the filter takes away too much from the sound. If I want to clean up the sub frequencies, I usually use a high pass plug. How many dB's are you talking about when you say a little?

a little=2 to 4db

mjlaudio · 16th March 2006

GTR

Snare

OH

I guess I need to get some 560's though

AdamJay · 16th March 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by superburtm

if you don't have a 550A

something tells me that Drew@mercenary.com does have a 550A

JB872 · 16th March 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjlaudio

GTR

Snare

OH

I guess I need to get some 560's though

Didn't even think about putting the 550A's on OH's. I tried last night and they were pretty good. Thanx for the suggestion.

Bat Head Sound · 16th March 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamJay

something tells me that Drew@mercenary.com does have a 550A

Do 550B's count? I'm a fan of the 560 on kick myself, it gives you more control.

jarbar · 16th March 2006

I find the 550b's to be a great EQ for many things, but the 560's have this smooth character to them that makes things sound natural. If something (ac/elec gtr, OHs, Kick, snr, etc) needs a little help, a 560 simply makes it sound like it was well mic'd in the first place.

15th March 2006	#1
JB872 Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,097 Thread Starter	Favorite API 500 series EQ When I looked into buying some eq's for my API rack, the 550A seemed to be the favorite among GS members. So I bought 4 of those and than later on picked up 2 550B's and 2 560B's. After mixing a couple of songs with my 500 series EQ's, I found that the 550A's, on average, are usually the last to get picked for the job. The 550B's and 560B's IMO have more usable frequencies than the 550A's and seem to be more versatile, especially the 560B. I wish I had 4 of those instead. Anyone else feel this way or am I yet to see the potential of the 550A.

16th March 2006	#9
mjlaudio Gear maniac Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 208	550a's GTR Snare OH I guess I need to get some 560's though

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15th March 2006	#3
GearHunter Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,578	560s are rippin' for electric guitar!

16th March 2006	#13
jarbar Gear nut Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 137	I find the 550b's to be a great EQ for many things, but the 560's have this smooth character to them that makes things sound natural. If something (ac/elec gtr, OHs, Kick, snr, etc) needs a little help, a 560 simply makes it sound like it was well mic'd in the first place.