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T25 Tube Compressor 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                API Select  

1.0 Introduction 

 

Welcome to the API Select line of premium tube-based audio processors and thank you for choosing 

the T25 Tube Compressor.  The T25 is a classic 2-channel, F.E.T. feedback-style compressor/limiter 

with  a  Class-A  tube  output  stage  that  utilizes  a  custom  API  transformer.  Built  with  12AT7WC  and 

12BH7 dual-triode vacuum tubes, the T25 represents the next step in API’s compression technology 

and new vistas of tonal shaping while retaining the unmistakable API sound quality. The result is one 

of  the  world’s  best  sounding  tube  compressors  that’s  capable  of  handling  an  infinite  number  of 

production  applications,  including  stereo  operation.    Carefully  designed  to  deliver  a  wide  range  of 

compression options, the T25 delivers warmth, clarity and punch, whether used for subtle adjustments 

or heavy compression effects.  

 

1.1 Features 

 

Field Effect Transistor (F.E.T.) based gain reduction circuit 

 

Audio  circuit  uses  12AT7WC  and  12BH7,  dual-triode  vacuum  tubes  with  custom 

transformer output 

 

11-step attack time switch 

 

11-step release time switch 

 

4 fixed ratios 

 

31-step input/threshold control 

 

31-step output/make-up gain control 

 

Detented controls for accurate recall 

 

Patented 

THRUST

®

 filter for low-frequency dependent side-chain control 

 

D-S feature provides high-frequency dependent side-chain control for de-essing 

 

Link switch for stereo operation 

 

10-segment LED gain reduction meter 

 

LED peak indicator 

 

Vintage looking VU meters indicate output levels 

 

IN/out switch 

 

Full hard-wired relay bypass 

 

XLR and 

¼

” TRS input and output connections 

 

 

The T25 Tube Compressor has several unique features that will allow you to tailor the sound of the 

compression in many different directions.   

 

The patented 

THRUST

® 

inserts a filter in front of the RMS detector that evens out the energy by lowering 

the energy in the low frequencies and increasing the energy in the high frequencies, so each octave 

has the same energy instead of each octave having half the energy as the one lower.  This creates a 

unique compression effect that still reduces the overall gain, but the sound is much more punchy and 

the signal actually sounds much less compressed. 

 

The 

D-S

 feature accentuates compression of high-frequency content (bell curve w/ 6kHz center) for 

use as a vocal de-esser. 

 

 

Summary of Contents for T25

Page 1: ...T25 Tube Compressor OPERATOR S MANUAL Written for Automated Processes Incorporated by Dan Pfeifer Rev 21 04 26 ...

Page 2: ...3 IN out Switch 8 5 4 Bypass Switch 8 5 5 Stereo Link Switch 8 6 0 Level Indication 9 6 1 Gain Reduction Meter Peak Indicator 9 6 2 VU Meter 9 7 0 Tube Vent Window 9 8 0 Power Switch Rear Panel Connections 10 8 1 Power Switch 10 8 2 Rear Panel 10 8 2 1 Audio Connections 10 8 2 2 AC Power 10 APPENDIX 11 A1 Technical Specifications 12 A2 Block Diagram 12 A3 Recall Chart 13 A4 User Accessible Mainten...

Page 3: ...his manual is organized in sections that correspond to the front panel controls and rear panel interface Legend UPPER CASE BOLD POTS CONTROLS SWITCHES BUTTONS UPPER CASE REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS Manual Revision History YY MM DD format Original 21 04 26 Revised Dan Pfeifer is a Professor of Recording Industry at Middle Tennessee State University ...

Page 4: ...w for proper power supply cooling Do not touch the rear panel surface for an extended period of time when the unit is powered on 11 Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators heat registers stoves or other devices that produce heat 12 Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding type AC plug 13 Protect the AC power cord from being walked on or pinched 14 Use only atta...

Page 5: ...me switch 11 step release time switch 4 fixed ratios 31 step input threshold control 31 step output make up gain control Detented controls for accurate recall Patented THRUST filter for low frequency dependent side chain control D S feature provides high frequency dependent side chain control for de essing Link switch for stereo operation 10 segment LED gain reduction meter LED peak indicator Vint...

Page 6: ...have a useful but conservative effect on the signal After the unit has been powered on and warmed up Set the following knobs to the 12 00 position o ATTACK o RELEASE o IN THRESHOLD o OUT MAKE UP Set RATIO to 2 1 Engage the IN switch Disengage the D S THRUST BYP and LINK switches These settings will provide a good starting place for additional tweaking to achieve the desired sound NOTE The T25 is a...

Page 7: ...e input level threshold o Sets the level at which compression begins threshold Out MAKE UP Output Make up Gain Sets the compressor output level make up gain D S Toggles to activate the de esser function o Accentuates compression of high frequency content THRUST Toggles to activate the patented THRUST filter circuit o Reduces heavy low frequency content in the detection path IN Toggles to switch co...

Page 8: ...e 11 step switch 4 3 Ratio RATIO Simultaneously sets the compression ratio input vs output and adjusts the threshold level for optimal settings Four fixed ratios 2 1 4 1 8 1 and 20 1 4 step switch Compression with high ratios is generally considered to be limiting 4 4 Input Level Threshold IN THRESH Input Threshold Sets the input level threshold Determines the level at which compression begins dBu...

Page 9: ...cade filter before the RMS detector Illuminates when engaged The patented THRUST circuit has been used for many years in the famed API 2500 Stereo Compressor ATI Paragon and Paragon II consoles as well as the Pro6 Input Strip This circuit places a filter in front of the RMS detector with a slope of 10dB per decade 3dB 8va which is the inverse of the pink noise energy curve In acoustics the pink no...

Page 10: ...llowing audio to pass directly through the device This allows the T25 to be powered off when not in use in order to prolong tube life 5 5 Stereo Link Switch The channels 1 and 2 of the T25 Tube Compressor function can be linked together for stereo operation This will prevent center image shifting caused by differing amounts of gain reduction on each channel when compressing correlated stereo signa...

Page 11: ...ccurate indication of gain reduction PEAK Indicates when output level reaches or exceeds 18dBu Red LED 6 2 VU Meter OUTPUT LEVEL VU Indicates the signal level at the OUTPUT connector 0VU is 4dBu factory setting 0VU 14dBu option with internal jumper adjustment Vintage look Backlit NOTE The T25 VU meter cannot display gain reduction 7 0 Tube Vent Window The T25 Tube Compressor is equipped with metal...

Page 12: ... both channels connections as well as AC power connection voltage selection and fuse 8 2 1 Audio Connections Each audio channel Left and Right has an INPUT and OUTPUT connection IMPORTANT NOTE The XLR and INPUT connectors are wired together so use only one INPUT connection a time IMPORTANT NOTE Care should be taken not to short the outputs as damage will occur to the output stage 8 2 2 AC Power Th...

Page 13: ...T25 Tube Compressor API Select 11 APPENDIX A1 Specifications A2 Block Diagram A3 Recall Chart A4 User Accessible Maintenance A5 API Limited Warranty and Service ...

Page 14: ...imum output level 24dBu Frequency Response 20Hz 40kHz 0dB 1dB Ratios 2 1 4 1 8 1 20 1 switchable Attack Times 20µs 0 8ms Release Times 50ms to 1 2s Total Gain 40dB IN OUT both fully CW SNR 90dB Power Consumption 45W Size 19 x 3 5 x 12 Deep Size Boxed for Shipping 21 x 9 x 15 Actual Weight 14 lbs Shipping Weight 17 lbs A2 Block Diagram ...

Page 15: ...T25 Tube Compressor API Select 13 A3 Recall Chart ...

Page 16: ...nit has been unplugged for at least 5 minutes before opening the chassis Four screws on sides remove the lid and allow access to the printed circuit board No user tube bias adjustments A4 2 VU Meter Level Jumper A marked internal jumper selects between 0VU 4dBu and 0VU 14dBu for the OUTPUT LEVEL VU meter one per channel Make sure power switch is off Make sure the unit has been unplugged for at lea...

Page 17: ...ntain and service your product f The below steps are the best way to initiate the repair process or to submit a parts order request Repair procedure 1 Fill out a Return Authorization RA form at service apiaudio com 2 Wait to receive an e mail from API Audio with an RA 3 Use the API original box to package the unit Write the RA large and legibly on the box if the RA is not clearly visible on the bo...

Page 18: ... 2021 8301 Patuxent Range Road Jessup MD 20794 USA 301 776 7879 http www apiaudio com ...

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