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Waves API 550
User Manual
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TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3 1.1 WELCOME...........................................................................................................................................................3 1.2 PRODUCT OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................................
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Chapter 1 – Introduction 1.1 Welcome Thank you for choosing Waves! In order to get the most out of your Waves processor, please take the time to read through this manual. In conjunction, we also suggest that you become familiar with www.wavesupport.net. There you will find an extensive Answer Base, the latest Tech Specs, detailed Installation guides, new Software Updates, and current information on Authorization and Registration. By signing up at www.wavesupport.net, you will
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1.2 Product Overview The Waves API 550 consists of the API 550A, a 3-Band parametric equalizer with 5 fixed cutoff points per band and the API 550B, a 4-Band parametric equalizer with 7 fixed cutoff points per band. Modeled on the late 1960’s legend, the API 550A EQ delivers a sound that has been a hallmark of high end studios for decades. It provides reciprocal equalization at 15 points in 5 steps of boost divided into three overlapping ranges. The high and low frequency ranges
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1.3 Components WaveShell technology enables us to split Waves processors into smaller plug-ins, which we call components. Having a choice of components for a particular processor gives you the flexibility to choose the configuration best suited to your material. The API 550 has four component processors: API 550A Stereo – A 3-Band stereo equalizer API 550A Mono – A 3-Band mono equalizer API 550B Stereo – A 4-Band stereo equalizer API 550B Mono – A 4-Band mono equalizer Waves AP
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Chapter 2 – Quickstart Guide Approach the Waves API 550 as you would any conventional EQ. Since the API 550 features “Proportional Q,” which intuitively widens the filter bandwidth at lower settings and narrows it at higher settings, feel free to push the API 550 harder than you normally would other equalizers. The API 550 will deliver smooth, natural, and musical sound even at the most extreme settings. Waves API 550 User Manual - 6 -
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Chapter 3 – Controls and Interface Waves API 550 User Manual - 7 -
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3.1 EQ Section API 550A Controls Low Band Gain Range -12dB to +12dB (2-3dB steps) Default 0dB Low Band Frequency Filter types Shelf, Bell Default Shelf Cutoff points 50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 300Hz, 400Hz Default 50Hz Mid Band Gain Range -12dB to +12dB (2-3dB steps) Default 0dB Waves API 550 User Manual - 8 -
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Mid Band Frequency Range .4kHz, .8kHz, 1.5kHz, 3kHz, 5kHz Default 1.5kHz Filter types Bell High Band Gain Range -12dB to +12dB (2-3dB steps) Default 0dB High Band Frequency Range 5kHz, 7kHz, 10kHz, 12.5kHz, 15kHz Default 7kHz Bandpass Filter Applies a 50Hz-15kHz bandpass filter to the entire signal Range 50Hz-15kHz Default Off Filter types Shelf, Bell Cutoff points 5kHz, 7kHz, 10kHz, 12.5kHz, 15kHz Low Shelf/Bell Selector Range
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API 550B Controls Low Band Gain Range -12dB to +12dB (2-3dB steps) Default 0dB Low Band Frequency Range 30Hz, 40Hz, 50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 300Hz, 400Hz Default 50Hz Filter types Shelf, Bell Cutoff points 30Hz, 40Hz, 50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 300Hz, 400Hz Low Mid Band Gain Range -12dB to +12dB (2-3dB steps) Default 0dB Low Mid Band Frequency Range 75Hz, 150Hz, 180Hz, 240Hz, 500Hz, 700Hz, 1kHz Default 500Hz Filter types Bell Cutoff points 75Hz, 150Hz, 180
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High Mid Band Frequency Range 0.8kHz, 1.5kHz, 3kHz, 5kHz, 8kHz, 10kHz, 12.5kHz Default 5kHz Filter types Bell Cutoff points 0.8kHz, 1.5kHz, 3kHz, 5kHz, 8kHz, 10kHz, 12.5kHz High Band Gain Range -12dB to 12dB (2-3dB steps) Default Off High Band Frequency Range 2.5kHz, 5kHz, 7kHz, 10kHz, 12.5kHz, 15kHz, 20kHz Default 10kHz Filter types Shelf, Bell Cutoff points 2.5kHz, 5kHz, 7kHz, 10kHz, 12.5kHz, 15kHz, 20kHz Low Shelf/Bell Selector Range Shelf or Bell
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3.2 Output Section The Output section, which is identical on both the API 550A and API 550B, consists of controls for Polarity (Phase Inversion) Analog Modeling, Output Level, and Trim. Pol (Polarity) Shifts the phase by 180 degrees. Range 0deg-180deg Default 0deg Analog Turns the Analog modeling on and off. Range On/Off Default On Waves API 550 User Manual - 12 -
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Output Controls the output level. Range -18dB to +18dB (in 0.1dB steps) Default 0dB Trim Displays the maximum peak level of the output signal and its distance from nominal gain (-0.1dBfs). Range -inf to 0dB Default -inf Meters The API 550 meters display output level in dBFS. The LED located between the two meters lights up when output signal is clipping. Waves API 550 User Manual - 13 -
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Chapter 4 – The WaveSystem 4.1 The WaveSystem Toolbar All Waves processors feature the WaveSystem toolbar which takes care of most administrative functions you will encounter while working with your Waves software. The features of the WaveSystem toolbar are the same on practically all Waves processors, so familiarity with its features will be helpful whichever processor you are using. Toolbar Functions Undo Undoes the last 32 actions. Redo Redoes the last 32 undone actions.
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Loading Presets and Setups Click-and-hold on the Load button to see the Load pop-up menu. The menu is divided into four sections. If a section is not currently available it will not appear in the Load pop-up menu. Open Preset File… Select to open any setup or preset file, whether from the Library or your own creations. ‘Filename.xps’: Displays any currently loaded Setup File and its presets. Factory Presets: Displays the default Factory Presets. User Presets: Displays any loaded
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Deleting Presets You may delete User Presets and presets within a Setup File. Factory Presets and Setup Library files cannot be deleted or overwritten. 1. Hold the Command (Mac)/Control (PC) key down. 2. Click-and-hold the Load button to see the pop-up menu. 3. While still holding the Command/Control key, select the preset or setup to delete. 4. A confirmation box will appear, allowing you to cancel or ‘OK’ the deletion. A/B Comparison and Copying The Setup A/Setup B button may b
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Value Window Buttons Value windows display the value of a control and allow click-and-drag adjustment, or direct control via the keyboard. • Using the mouse, click-and-drag on the value window to adjust. Some value windows support left/right, some up/down (as you hover over a button, arrows will appear to let you know which direction of movement that button supports). • Using the arrow keys, click once with mouse to select the button, and then use up/down – left/right (depending o
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TAB Functions TAB moves the ‘selected’ status to the next control, with shift-TAB moving in the reverse direction. Additionally, the Mac has an option-TAB function for ‘down’ movement and shift-option-TAB for ‘up’ movement where applicable. If you have several Value Window Buttons selected, TAB functions will take you through the selected controls only. Waves API 550 User Manual - 18 -
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Appendix A – 550A Controls Control Range Default Low Band Gain -12dB to 12dB (2-3dB’s steps) 0dB Low Band Frequency 50Hz,100Hz,200Hz,300Hz,400Hz 50Hz Mid Band Gain -12dB to 12dB(2-3dB’s steps) 0dB Mid Band Frequency .4kHz,.8kHz,1.5kHz,3kHz,5kHz. 1.5kHz High Band Gain -12dB to 12dB(2-3dB’s steps) 0dB High Band Frequency 5kHz,7kHz,10kHz,12.5kHz,15kHz. 7kHz Filter Bandpass 50Hz-15kHz Off Low shelf/bell selector Shelf or Bell Shelf High shelf/bell selector Shelf or Bell Shelf Outpu
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