API 560

Waves' API 560 plugin brings the proportional-Q topology of the legendary 1967 API hardware into the digital domain with genuine fidelity. This is a graphic equalizer designed around broad, musical tone-shaping rather than surgical precision, making it particularly effective for sources that demand transparent processing without audible artifacts.

The proportional-Q architecture automatically narrows the filter bandwidth at extreme boost and cut settings, preventing the aggressive peaking and ringing that plague many digital EQs. This "forgiving" character means aggressive moves sound natural rather than clinically obvious. Ten bands spanning 31 Hz to 16 kHz - spaced an octave apart - provide the spacing needed for decisive equalization. The additional resolution in the critical +/- 4 dB region gives you fine control for subtle adjustments without requiring excessive band shifting.

The 560 excels on complex sources: overhead microphones, pianos, acoustic guitars, and full mixes all benefit from its smooth, cohesive behavior. The included analog modeling switch adds subtle harmonic distortion and hiss for those seeking character, while purists can engage a true bypass. The output section's phase invert and +/- 18 dB level control round out the feature set with practical utility.

In a landscape crowded with clinical parametric EQs, the API 560 occupies a distinct position - it's the tool when musicality matters more than absolute transparency. For engineers accustomed to analog console aesthetics and behavior, this plugin closes the gap between the promise of digital precision and the reality of how ears actually respond to EQ.