API 550b Hardware vs Software - Review and Sound Examples

Thanks to Sam at Make Noise Pro Audio, I've got a pair of API 550b's in the house to see if they can lure me away from the plugin counterparts I use so often. Let's find out!!
Track: The Same Curse
Artist: Rosellas
Make Noise:
www.makenoisep...
Gear I Use:
Main Camera:
amzn.to/45AywHK
24mm Lens:
amzn.to/3WJ6HKF
35mm Lens:
amzn.to/3VAk3ae
20mm Lens:
amzn.to/3VAkdhQ
Video Lights:
amzn.to/3XzlAje
Subscribe For More! - goo.gl/wqK1nP
#olivershillito
🔥 CONNECT WITH ME 🔥
Instagram @olivershillito / olivershillito
____________
🔥 If you want to get in touch about working on your next production or are interested to find out more about me and my work, you can get more information over at my website 👉 www.olivershil...
Business Inquiries 👉 [e-mail]
Thanks everyone for checking out my channel and I hope you found some useful stuff and creative tips to help further your own productions! If you have any content suggestions or stuff you’d like me to review or checkout then please hit me up via my website or any of the above socials and let me know! Alternatively leave a comment in the box below and I’ll be sure to get back to you!
If you have enjoyed watching this video, please consider subscribing and hitting the notification bell as it really helps me out and let’s me know that you guys are finding some value in the content I am making!

[@AKMacintyre]

Nice! Solid comparison vid, Ollie! 550b is personal fave

[@eranddroory9987]

Thanks for your videos - much appreciated!

[@OliverShillito]

Thanks for watching!

[@LXferg]

I have a pair of 550A and 560's and have used the Waves plug ins as well as the Logic Pro 560 plug with good results, but really the 560 on a kick is standout better than the plug in. I mostly use the analog with tracking. Thanks for your channel 🙂

[@OliverShillito]

Thanks for watching!

[@cocoloco71]

Wicked! I've just ordered a Cranborne ADAT 500. Another great video. Can Sam recommend a Fairchild 670-like clone in a 500 series module? Also, a 500 series-style Distressor? Cheers Oliver

[@simmermusic3894]

Rumour is that Behringer is going to build a Fairchild clone at an affordable range, no idea what to expect though. Their 1073 didn't match up against my Neve all that well but who knows.

[@OliverShillito]

Also Empirical Labs have just released the pump. Which is a 500 series Distressor at a really good price. So there’s also that!

[@simmermusic3894]

@@OliverShillito 500 series distressor sounds interesting, I have the UAD plugin which is actually very good, would be great to see how it holds up

[@OliverShillito]

@@simmermusic3894 yeah for sure. It’s basically identical to the rack mount unit, it just lacks the distortion circuits but the compression circuits are identical!

[@Chaos-Dynamics]

@@simmermusic3894 I’m sure the Behringer 1273 didn’t held up against the Neve but I have to say that I still quite like it 😊

[@TacomaEscape]

Cool vid!! What’s the difference between the API 550a & 550b?

[@OliverShillito]

The 550A has 3 adjustable bands. The 550b has 4 bands with slightly different frequency points!

[@Chaos-Dynamics]

Try to get the Louder Than Liftoff Silver Bullet MK2 I’m sure it’ll be a keeper 😊

[@jaykarimi7123]

I have it & LOVE it... It's not for everything but when it works, it's magic!

[@Chaos-Dynamics]

@@jaykarimi7123 I was intrigued by it since I saw it and finally got the plugin, I would love to have the hardware, they make some interesting stuff 👌🏼

[@OliverShillito]

I’ll see what I can do about getting a loaner! It’s a rival to the SSL Fusion if I’m not mistaken?

[@Chaos-Dynamics]

@@OliverShillito I think the Silver Bullet is just a little bit older than the Fusion and far more interesting i.m.o. possibly the Fusion looks a little bit like the Silver Bullet but different architecture.

[@richertz]

More hardware vs software. I went back to plugins from hardware because recallability is really where the benefits at.

[@OliverShillito]

Yeah and that is not to be sniffed at. That is mostly why I tend to own set and forget pieces haha

[@VinceJackson1]

Great Comparison, but the Lindell Audio 50 & Acustica Pink are much better API emulations. The Waves sounds so flat & lacks the bottom end harmonics that give it depth!

[@OliverShillito]

I’ll check them out! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@noisemud]

man the plugin flattens the sound in an unpleasant way ive noticed that every single digital eq takes life away from the signal