Detail 01
500-series module
It's a bare module, not a standalone box. You need a powered 500-series chassis before it does anything.
Product detailSKU #1313854583812
API550b Parametric EQ
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
500-series parametric EQ from API's console line. For engineers already running a 500-series rack who want a discrete, transformer-based EQ on tracking or mix inserts.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Tracking drums and guitars through a 500-series rack
- Mix engineers wanting hardware EQ on individual inserts
- Studios already invested in API-format modules
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Anyone without a 500-series rack or power supply
- Home recordists happy with plugin EQ at this price
- Surgical notch work — this is a broad-stroke musical EQ
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
Parametric EQ
You choose frequency and cut/boost per band, so you can target a problem instead of accepting fixed shelves.
Detail 03
API circuit design
API's console EQs are known for a forward, punchy character. It colors the signal even at modest settings.
Detail 04
Single channel
One module handles one channel. Stereo work means buying two and matching settings by hand.
Detail 05
$1,295 per channel
Cost scales linearly with track count. An eight-channel drum kit in hardware runs well into five figures.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01No chassis or power supply included — budget for a 500-series rack
- 02Stereo work needs a second unit; settings are matched manually
- 03Confirm your rack meets the module's current draw before loading it
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Can I use this without a 500-series rack?
No. It's a module with no power supply or connectors of its own. It needs a powered 500-series chassis to run.
02Is one enough for stereo?
No. One module is one channel. Stereo bus or overhead work needs two units, with settings dialed in to match by ear.
03Where does this sit in a signal chain?
Either on the way in while tracking, or as an insert on a channel during mixdown. Both are common.
04Is this better than a plugin EQ?
It's different. You're buying API's circuit character and hands-on knobs, not more precision. Plugins recall instantly and cost far less.
