API 550 and 553 EQ Questions..

rainsinvelvet · 9th September 2003

Hi all
I just bought an API 550 (original) EQ and an API 553 EQ.
I was wondering if anyone here has used the 553 before? I haven't read anything about it and wonder what your experiences are...
It looks like a 3 band fixed deal, but I haven't gotten it yet (it will be here next monday-yippy) and the picture is a bit vague.

Thanks,
Eric

toolstudio · 9th September 2003

Hi Eric,

the 553 is fixed band Lo,Mid,High.
Don't know exactly the frequencies.

They are a bit crunchy/dirty sounding.
I use our 553s on drum loops, vinyl loops,
crunchy guitars to bring out the dirtyness.
That's where I think they work better than others.
The 554 is the parametric version, which I never got sounding good.
The 554 was the only vintage gear I ever sold.

wolfgang

Jay Kahrs · 9th September 2003

Ok, so what's the difference between a 554 and a 550 if both are 3-band parametrics?

Bob Olhsson · 9th September 2003

Simple, a 550 isn't a parametric! (Some of us aren't that crazy about the sound of most parametrics) The 553 was a cheap eq. that let API sell some consoles to people who couldn't afford a top of the line console with 550s.

DAN_000 · 6th September 2009

I used 2 553 on master buss , and Im in love with this !

I think is a great EQ for things like tone control in Master buss and groups.

soundrick · 6th September 2009

I'm getting ready to build a couple of 553 clones that one of the guys over at group DIY put together. You should check out the original thread it's pretty interesting. Just look up 553 over there and you'll find it.

They talk about the differences, and the 553 was thought to be more of a broad tone-shaper, and I don't think (not 100% sure) it does the automatic Q thing like the 550. Isn't that it's bread and butter? It gets narrower the more you cut/boost, or something like that??

lucabasano · 6th September 2009

Avedis Audio: 550A, 550B, 553, 554, 560 Professional Audio Electronics, Vintage Pro Audio, ProAudio, API, Equalizer

Jonathan Starr · 6th September 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipe1550

Avedis Audio: 550A, 550B, 553, 554, 560 Professional Audio Electronics, Vintage Pro Audio, ProAudio, API, Equalizer

Great resource. Avedis rocks. Much thanks.

mahasandi · 6th September 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAN_000

I used 2 553 on master buss , and Im in love with this !

I think is a great EQ for things like tone control in Master buss and groups.

I've done the same really sweet tone.

9th September 2003	#1
rainsinvelvet Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2003 Location: California Posts: 1,196 Thread Starter 1 Review written	API 550 and 553 EQ Questions.. Hi all I just bought an API 550 (original) EQ and an API 553 EQ. I was wondering if anyone here has used the 553 before? I haven't read anything about it and wonder what your experiences are... It looks like a 3 band fixed deal, but I haven't gotten it yet (it will be here next monday-yippy) and the picture is a bit vague. Thanks, Eric

9th September 2003	#4
Bob Olhsson Motown legend Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Songwriter Gulch, Nashville TN Posts: 10,879	Simple, a 550 isn't a parametric! (Some of us aren't that crazy about the sound of most parametrics) The 553 was a cheap eq. that let API sell some consoles to people who couldn't afford a top of the line console with 550s. __________________ Bob's room 615 562-4346 Georgetown Masters 615 254-3233 Music Industry 2.0 Interview

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9th September 2003	#2
toolstudio Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 821	Hi Eric, the 553 is fixed band Lo,Mid,High. Don't know exactly the frequencies. They are a bit crunchy/dirty sounding. I use our 553s on drum loops, vinyl loops, crunchy guitars to bring out the dirtyness. That's where I think they work better than others. The 554 is the parametric version, which I never got sounding good. The 554 was the only vintage gear I ever sold. wolfgang

6th September 2009	#5
DAN_000 Gear interested Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina Posts: 10	I used 2 553 on master buss , and Im in love with this ! I think is a great EQ for things like tone control in Master buss and groups.

6th September 2009	#6
soundrick Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,147 3 Reviews written	I'm getting ready to build a couple of 553 clones that one of the guys over at group DIY put together. You should check out the original thread it's pretty interesting. Just look up 553 over there and you'll find it. They talk about the differences, and the 553 was thought to be more of a broad tone-shaper, and I don't think (not 100% sure) it does the automatic Q thing like the 550. Isn't that it's bread and butter? It gets narrower the more you cut/boost, or something like that??

6th September 2009	#7
lucabasano Gear maniac Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Italy Posts: 285	Avedis Audio: 550A, 550B, 553, 554, 560 Professional Audio Electronics, Vintage Pro Audio, ProAudio, API, Equalizer