Our studio has been using a Chameleon Labs stereo bus compressor up until we discovered it was really killing our stereo image. It has left the building.
For a replacement we chose the API 2500 stereo bus compressor. It lives in the mastering loop of our Neve 8816/8804 and along with a pair of Warm Audio EQP, provides the finishing touch to our stereo mixes.
The API 2500 is not a simple piece of equipment, it offers a huge range of adjustability and sonic options. The difference between Feed-Forward and Feed-Back technologies is amazing, they are totally different from each other and very different from any other compressors we have (which includes several 1176 and an LA2A).
The API 2500 is expensive but it's different and for what it does, it is worth it. Zero buyers remorse here, if it breaks I'd want to buy a replacement. The first mixes I completed with the API 2500 sound smoother, more polished, punchy, in short, more like albums which is exactly why we decided to add it to our kit.
If you're on the fence, just buy it, it is killer!
You can read more reviews and learn more about it on the Sweetwater web site.
Good music to all!
