API 560 Special-Edition 500 Series Discrete 10-Band Graphic EQ

The 560 special edition 500 series discrete 10-band graphic EQ in a limited edition cream color brings API’s iconic sound shaping to your rack or console. With 10 bands of API’s proprietary equalization, the 560 grants precise control over your tone using the company’s ingenious proportional Q design. First introduced in API consoles from the 1960s and 70s, proportional Q intuitively adjusts each filter’s bandwidth based on the amount of cut or boost applied. The result is a rich, focused sound with tight imaging and thumping low end—that legendary “API punch.”

Shape Your Sound With 10 Bands of Musical EQ

The 560 special edition serves up 10 bands of equalization spanning the audible range, giving you extensive tone tweaking potential. With a generous 12dB of cut or boost per band, you can target any part of the frequency spectrum for sweetening or problem-solving duties and at lower boost or cut levels, each filter’s bandwidth is widened for smoother, more gradual curves. The 560’s proportional Q design is a brilliant EQ innovation by API, crank any band to extreme settings and proportional Q narrows the Q, letting you zero in on precise slivers of frequency with surgical precision. This intuitive approach makes finding the “sweet spot” for any application a breeze. An additional benefit of proportional Q is that boost and cut curves are identical so undoing any move is as simple as going the opposite direction.

Hear the Difference Discrete Circuitry Makes

Unlike other graphic EQs made from off-the-shelf ICs, the 560 utilizes API’s proprietary op amp and output transformer designs to deliver discrete, boutique-level audio quality. The 2520 op amp is revered for its ultrahigh headroom and current drive, giving the 560 a pristine signal path that retains clarity even when applying heavy boosts or cuts. Paired with API’s custom output transformers, you’ll hear more authoritative lows, tighter stereo imaging and an addictive analog warmth that makes tracks leap from the speakers. Additional resolution between ±4dB helps you zero in on critical midrange areas with finesse. With reliable center detents for fast resetting, the 560 brings API’s highly coveted analog magic to your 500 series rack.

Compact yet Versatile Form Factor

In the versatile 500 series form factor, the 560 EQ can find a home in standard 500 racks, lunchbox enclosures or directly in API mixing consoles. This makes it an ideal analog tone-shaping companion both in professional studios and project studios. Since the 560 doesn’t take up much real estate, you can even mount multiple units together for expanded EQ power. Whether you’re dialing in control room acoustics, sweetening vocals and instruments or instilling classic API vibes, the 560 special edition 500 series graphic EQ delivers with musicality, reliability and that authentic analog attitude.