API 560

High-end API sound quality in a graphic equalizer

Punch. Clarity. Transparency.
Shape Tone Fast with an EQ Classic.

API 560’s proportional-Q filter topology is known for its smooth, forgiving sound. For mic overheads, pianos, guitars, and other complex sound sources that need clear, transparent, well-defined tone-shaping, the 560 makes EQing fast and easy.

Created in association with API, this high-end equalizer is all about using a traditional graphic interface to make broad equalization changes—all while sounding natural and musical.

A true classic from 1967, with outstanding headroom
Designed in close collaboration with, and verified by, API
Proportional Q narrows filter Q at extremes for a “forgiving” sound
10 frequency bands from 31 Hz to 16 kHz, spaced an octave apart
Additional resolution in the critical ±4 dB region
Analog modeling switch for subtle harmonic distortion and hiss
Output section with phase switch and ±18 dB level control
Analog circuit emulation is still available with EQ bypassed

Watch It in Action

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What Top Pros Are Saying

[{"itemID":229,"itemGUID":"86cce0b9-f5f1-4a50-9ca3-6fa0436b1b27","artistName":"Tony Maserati","artistTitle":"Producer \u0026 Mixing Engineer","credits":"Beyonc\u00E9, Selena Gomez, Robin Thicke, Nick Jonas","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/tony-maserati.png","quote":"I\u2019ve thrown the API plugins on every track \u2014 they sound great, very similar to the way I remember the original API hardware sound.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":1},{"itemID":1946,"itemGUID":"7dca9a21-2fd4-4f44-8351-374273cf5f6e","artistName":"Mark Ronson","artistTitle":"Producer, DJ, Recording Artist","credits":"Amy Winehouse, Jay-Z, Adele, Bruno Mars","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/mark-ronson.png","quote":"The API plugins are great for getting an analog sensibility. And the CLA-3A makes everything a little tougher and the mix a little more centered \u2013 that\u2019s what I used on \u2018Uptown Funk.\u2019","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":2},{"itemID":46,"itemGUID":"a746795d-4788-4917-9ea6-b79c2add855d","artistName":"Thom Russo","artistTitle":"Producer / Engineer","credits":"Michael Jackson, Man\u00E1, Tom Morello","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/thom-russo.png","quote":"The API plugins are a dream come true\u2014so silky and punchy. They put my EQ heart at ease. ","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":3},{"itemID":239,"itemGUID":"8ab2a04a-ef53-4ed8-a151-4cc603630453","artistName":"Alan Branch","artistTitle":"Producer, Engineer, Writer, Musician","credits":"Nine Inch Nails, Sin\u00E9ad O\u2019Connor, Depeche Mode, Blur","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/alan-branch.png","quote":"I use the API EQs regularly. The effect they have on drums, vocals, guitars, and the stereo bus mix is an instant pleasure.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":4},{"itemID":2585,"itemGUID":"c6aa9e53-2156-41c7-9c5f-5dfd24794468","artistName":"Javier Valverde","artistTitle":"Recording Engineer, Mixing Engineer","credits":"T-Pain, Timbaland, Lil Wayne, Pitbull ","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/javier-valverde.png","quote":"The API 560 EQ variable gain allows me to quickly carve out or boost frequencies on pianos and guitars without interrupting the workflow.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":5},{"itemID":42,"itemGUID":"13924f14-102f-4f53-a4a1-3fa9aee23ae7","artistName":"Gil Norton","artistTitle":"Producer","credits":"Foo Fighters, Pixies, Stornoway","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/gil-norton.png","quote":"I\u2019m amazed at how accurate the API Collection plugins are.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":6},{"itemID":246,"itemGUID":"ccecd379-85d8-49b6-8596-f5f7677f49e8","artistName":"Todd Parker","artistTitle":"Recording \u0026 Mixing Engineer","credits":"Norah Jones, Weezer, AFI","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/avatar-male.png","quote":"There\u2019s a reason the original hardware is a classic, and Waves got it spot-on with their API plugins.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":7},{"itemID":249,"itemGUID":"fab15a40-4f20-4bcf-a1e8-5093dd5889e7","artistName":"Guy Sigsworth","artistTitle":"Producer","credits":"Bj\u00F6rk, Madonna, Seal","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/guy-sigsworth.png","quote":"The key reason I reach for my API plugins is because they\u2019re \u2018vibey.\u2019 This is largely down to the way Waves have modeled the coloration of the original circuitry.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":8},{"itemID":2006,"itemGUID":"5d079ee5-0980-4222-b4af-8e32371ec8d0","artistName":"Alen Konako\u011Flu","artistTitle":"Producer, Mixing Engineer, Songwriter, Multi-Instrumentalist","credits":"Virgil Donati, Victor Wooten, Scott Handerson, Natalia Oreiro","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/alen-konakoglu.png","quote":"Sounds great on drums, especially kick, snare and overheads. For heavy punchy rock drums, these plugins deliver the real sonic character of the hardware.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":9},{"itemID":258,"itemGUID":"4acbcfba-74ed-4517-a59d-b60d6c986396","artistName":"Chris \u0022BRX\u0022 Apfalter","artistTitle":"FOH Engineer","credits":"Kruder \u0026amp; Dorfmeister, Tosca","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/chris-brx-apfalter.png","quote":"I use the API plugins as master plugins on the entire mix in order to make it crispier and get more punch.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":10},{"itemID":255,"itemGUID":"b62a21e0-5ff7-44e3-b057-9ab5cd3bf6b9","artistName":"Brad Madix","artistTitle":"FOH Engineer","credits":"Rush, Jack White, Shania Twain","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/brad-madix.png","quote":"The API EQs are great for tonal shaping, and you don\u2019t have to be shy about cranking the knobs around. Even with crazy boosts and cuts, they still sound natural. I love them on bass, but I use them on all sorts of things.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":11},{"itemID":3665,"itemGUID":"382900ed-1ce6-4c60-89c7-13eab0ad46a9","artistName":"S1","artistTitle":"Producer","credits":"Kanye West, Beyonc\u00E9, Eminem","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/s1.jpg","quote":"The API 560 EQ is so classic. Reminds me of my Dad\u0027s old parametric stereo EQ that I used to tinker with when I was younger.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":9999}]

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Smooth Tone Shaping for Your
Overheads, Pianos, Guitars

Shape EQ with Clarity and Transparency
API 560 is a proportional Q-based equalizer that boosts and cuts equally, with bandwidth that narrows at increased gains. These qualities are key to adding substance and clarity, while minimizing coloration from phase shift.
Mix with Classy, Natural EQ Curves
It took API’s skill and experience to design a graphic EQ whose crystalline, natural sound would be as valuable in the studio as it was for EQing venues in live performance. Today, the 560 remains a studio and live stalwart.
Contemporary Sound, or Colorful Past
Waves found a new home for the 560 in the pristine digital world—but didn’t forget the past. When you want to return to the sound of 1967, use the Analog switch to introduce authentic harmonic distortion and hiss.
Mix Fast in Bold Moves with Graphic EQ
Accelerate your mixing—simply move sliders for the sound you want, especially because the 560 is so forgiving. Go ahead, push the highs and lows to extreme settings—the 560 won’t sound harsh or muddy, but clear and full.