Detail 01
Attack: 15 µs to 15 ms
Sets how quickly the compressor responds.
Product detailSKU #1500000450787
API525A 500 Series Compressor/Limiter
1/3
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Put hands-on dynamic control within a 500 Series format. The 525A combines compressor and limiter ratios with adjustable attack and seven release choices, allowing engineers to set how it responds across different sources. Its Ceiling control links threshold and makeup gain in one adjustment, streamlining level management. The traditional discrete audio path uses API 2510 and 2520 opamps plus a proprietary output transformer. An illuminated gain-reduction VU meter and LED keep compression activity visible during tracking or mixing.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Tracking or mixing when attack and release response need deliberate adjustment.
- Studio workflows that benefit from linked threshold and makeup-gain control.
- 500 Series dynamics processing with visual gain-reduction monitoring.
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Release: seven modes, 0.05–2.0 seconds
Offers seven recovery-time selections.
Detail 03
2:1 compression / 20:1 limit
Provides separate compression and limiting ratios.
Detail 04
Maximum gain reduction: 25 dB
States the module's maximum listed gain reduction.
Detail 05
Hardware bypass
Provides a hardware bypass path for the signal.
Detail 06
Illuminated VU meter and LED
Shows gain reduction visually.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01This is a 500 Series module with an API 500 edge connector.
- 02Its power requirement is 3 watts and it is VPR Alliance compliant.
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01What does the Ceiling control do?
It adjusts threshold and makeup gain together.
02How many release settings are available?
Seven, ranging from 0.05 to 2.0 seconds.
03Can it operate as a limiter?
Yes. Its listed limit ratio is 20:1.
04How is gain reduction metered?
With an illuminated analog VU meter and a gain-reduction LED indicator.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsSound
- Frequency Response
- ± 0.5 dB, 20 Hz to 40 kHz
1 detailsPickups & controls
- Circuitry
- Traditional API discrete audio path
6 detailsConnections & power
- Input Impedance
- 80K ohms, balanced
- Output Impedance
- 75 ohms, transformer coupled, balanced
- Power Requirements
- 3 watts, VPR Alliance compliant
- Maximum Output Level
- +28 dBu
- Connector
- API 500 edge connector, VPR Alliance compliant
- Maximum Input Level
- +27 dBu
2 detailsSize & weight
- Weight
- 1.5
- Unit Weight
- 1.5 lbs
11 detailsOther
- Transformers
- Proprietary API output transformer
- Unit Size
- 1.5 inch x 5.25 inch x 7 inch
- Signal to Noise Ratio
- 112 dB
- Slopes
- Compression 2:1 and limit 20:1
- Maximum Gain Reduction
- 25 dB
- Bypass
- Hardware bypass for signal integrity
- Opamps
- Equipped with API 2510 and 2520 opamps
- Release Times
- 7 selectable modes ranging from 0.05 to 2.0 seconds
- Metering
- Illuminated analog gain reduction VU meter with gain reduction LED indicator
- Attack Time
- Adjustable from 15 microseconds to 15 milliseconds
- Form Factor
- 500 series module
