BB A5
The World-Famous Sound from Blackbird Studio
Inspired by one of the largest API Legacy consoles to ever be built, this revered console has been the catalyst for numerous chart-topping records, all within the confines of one of Nashville’s most coveted recording spaces.
Emotion Beyond Sound
Designed to embody every nuance of character and charm, BB A5 was built to replicate everything John McBride loves about his API Legacy consoles. The A5 is more than a scientific model, it captures the feel and emotion of the original hardware, transporting the analog world into your DAW.
BB A5 was driven by our commitment to building “real-world models,” to mirror the operational and sonic essence of its physical counterpart.
BB A5 preamp
Designed to capture the essence of the API 212L saturation with a convenient Auto-Gain feature.
3 EQ's in One
Switch between the 55A, 55L and 56L with the press of a button.
Analog Hum
Optional analog noise generator
for that extra sauce.
Master Buss
Designed to replicate the unique tone and effect of an API master buss amp, the master section on the BB A5 is inspired by the master channel from Blackbird's API Legacy console. Bring your racks to life with subtle compression and saturation.
Master Fader
Located before the master buss in the signal chain, you can drive into the master section to achieve the desired effect and use the output trim to compensate.
"The API Legacy is a major part of Blackbird. It was important that the BB A5 capture the sound and vibe of the hardware as a whole, not just one of the channels. My first experience with the plugin was shooting it out with the real thing and I was ecstatic with how close it was. The BB A5 replicates the feel of the desks in Studio B and D beautifully."
-John McBride
Founder, Blackbird Studio
What the Pros Say About BB A5:
Joe Carrell
(11x GRAMMY-nominated Producer/Mixer)
The A5 is a very welcome addition to my own mixing. All 3 of the classic EQ styles in one plugin with easy access high - low pass filters is a big deal to me. Add the mic pre “weight” to that and you can’t go wrong.
Joseph J. Chudyk
(Multiplatinum Mixer)
It’s absolutely gorgeous sounding. The first plugin, in my opinion to nail the proper API sound.
Steve Marcantonio
(Cheap Trick, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw)
I immediately go to the kick and take away a little 500 Hz and add a little 63 Hz. I’ve always loved the API Legacy console and this plugin replicates it beautifully. It sounds like I’m in D!
3 Legendary EQ's in One
55A
The 55A 3-Band EQ, based on the revered API 550A, encapsulates the very essence of the hardware's signature warmth, musicality, and surgical precision – qualities that have solidified its position as one of the most esteemed EQs in history. Each band of the original EQ has been meticulously recreated, ensuring that every curve, every frequency adjustment, and every tonal shift preserves the integrity of the API 550A's unique sound character.
55L
The API 550L EQ stands as an enduring cornerstone within the audio landscape, celebrated for its unparalleled ability to infuse depth, clarity, and warmth into a diverse range of audio sources. The 4-band 55L EQ is a digital counterpart that seamlessly transfers the heart and soul of this sought after hardware directly into your digital realm. With each knob turn and frequency adjustment, the essence of the API 550L is captured, ensuring an authentic experience that resonates with every sonic twist.
56L
The 56L EQ stands as a true tribute to the 10-band API 560L graphic EQ, a classic from the consoles of the 1960s and 1970s, embodying the highly coveted and unmistakable API sound that has captured the hearts of audiophiles worldwide. The 56L EQ opens up a treasure trove of possibilities for honing and enriching audio with corrective precision and creative transformation. This EQ provides the finesse needed to refine every sonic detail, striking the perfect tonal balance, and unveiling those subtle intricacies hidden within any recording.
55A
The 55A 3-Band EQ, based on the revered API 550A, encapsulates the very essence of the hardware's signature warmth, musicality, and surgical precision – qualities that have solidified its position as one of the most esteemed EQs in history. Each band of the original EQ has been meticulously recreated, ensuring that every curve, every frequency adjustment, and every tonal shift preserves the integrity of the API 550A's unique sound character.
55L
The API 550L EQ stands as an enduring cornerstone within the audio landscape, celebrated for its unparalleled ability to infuse depth, clarity, and warmth into a diverse range of audio sources. The 4-band 55L EQ is a digital counterpart that seamlessly transfers the heart and soul of this sought after hardware directly into your digital realm. With each knob turn and frequency adjustment, the essence of the API 550L is captured, ensuring an authentic experience that resonates with every sonic twist.
56L
The 56L EQ stands as a true tribute to the 10-band API 560L graphic EQ, a classic from the consoles of the 1960s and 1970s, embodying the highly coveted and unmistakable API sound that has captured the hearts of audiophiles worldwide. The 56L EQ opens up a treasure trove of possibilities for honing and enriching audio with corrective precision and creative transformation. This EQ provides the finesse needed to refine every sonic detail, striking the perfect tonal balance, and unveiling those subtle intricacies hidden within any recording.
The Console Heard on Chart-topping Records from:
100 +
Presets from Industry Pros
Buy Now
14 Day
Free Trial
Try it FREE
From Blackbird Studio to your DAW, BB A5 channel strip captures an iconic American console to give your production that extra Nashville sauce
Try BB A5 FREE for 14 days!
Visit our product pages. Click to try, create an account, download. Enjoy for two weeks free!
FEATURES
- Console Frequency Response: Accurately sampled from 10 Hz to 96 kHz using KIT’s proprietary Full Range Modeling Technology (FRM).
- Auto-Gain: Enhances usability as you add gain on the mic pre. The fader level will adjust the output automatically to maintain dB level.
- Continuous Gain: Optionally removes the notched movement of the mic pre gain, giving you more control of gain level.
- EQ Selection: Choose between 3 different EQ's available on the API Legacy Console.
- Master Buss: Replicates the unique tone and effect of an API master buss amp, inspired by Blackbird's API Legacy console master channel.
- Analog Hum: Sets the level of ~60Hz noise applied to the signal.
- Oversampling: Adjust oversampling from Low, Medium, or High, for higher definition or to relieve CPU of intensive processing and aliasing.
- Tooltips: Displays the amount of gain (+/-) on each EQ band (to the nearest tenth of a dB), and percentage for the Mic Pre.
- Resizable 3D GUI: You can click and drag the bottom right corner to change the size of the plugin, or select set sizes from the options menu.
- Fader Color: You can change the color of the fader between black, silver, red, blue, and teal.
- Includes: 100+ Custom Pro Presets.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS AND COMPATIBILITY
- A FREE iLok account and iLok License Manager installation is required.
- Activation support for iLok Cloud or iLok gen 2 or 3 keys, and Machine (host computer).
- 2 activations are provided per license purchase for use.
- macOS 10.14 or above (Intel, and M-Series).
- Windows 7 or above (Intel i3, AMD Quad-Core, or later).
- A 64-bit operating system and DAW is required.
- A Compatible DAW or Host is required for AAX, AU, and VST3 formats use (64-bit only).
- Minimum 4 GB RAM and 4 GB free disk space.
DISTRIBUTION FORMATS
- VST3 (Steinberg Virtual Studio Technology 3).
- AU (macOS Audio Unit).
- AAX (Avid Audio Extension).
- Compatible with all major DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) that support the formats mentioned above.
- Supports mono and stereo signals.
- Console Frequency Response: Accurately sampled from 10 Hz to 96 kHz using KIT’s proprietary Full Range Modeling Technology (FRM).
- Auto-Gain: Enhances usability as you add gain on the mic pre. The fader level will adjust the output automatically to maintain dB level.
- Continuous Gain: Optionally removes the notched movement of the mic pre gain, giving you more control of gain level.
- EQ Selection: Choose between 3 different EQ's available on the API Legacy Console.
- Master Buss: Replicates the unique tone and effect of an API master buss amp, inspired by Blackbird's API Legacy console master channel.
- Analog Hum: Sets the level of ~60Hz noise applied to the signal.
- Oversampling: Adjust oversampling from Low, Medium, or High, for higher definition or to relieve CPU of intensive processing and aliasing.
- Tooltips: Displays the amount of gain (+/-) on each EQ band (to the nearest tenth of a dB), and percentage for the Mic Pre.
- Resizable 3D GUI: You can click and drag the bottom right corner to change the size of the plugin, or select set sizes from the options menu.
- Fader Color: You can change the color of the fader between black, silver, red, blue, and teal.
- Includes: 100+ Custom Pro Presets.
- A FREE iLok account and iLok License Manager installation is required.
- Activation support for iLok Cloud or iLok gen 2 or 3 keys, and Machine (host computer).
- 2 activations are provided per license purchase for use.
- macOS 10.14 or above (Intel, and M-Series).
- Windows 7 or above (Intel i3, AMD Quad-Core, or later).
- A 64-bit operating system and DAW is required.
- A Compatible DAW or Host is required for AAX, AU, and VST3 formats use (64-bit only).
- Minimum 4 GB RAM and 4 GB free disk space.
- VST3 (Steinberg Virtual Studio Technology 3).
- AU (macOS Audio Unit).
- AAX (Avid Audio Extension).
- Compatible with all major DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) that support the formats mentioned above.
- Supports mono and stereo signals.
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Disclaimer
All names, logos and trademarks of studio equipment and/or accessory brands, including API, are the property of their respective manufacturers and are in no way affiliated with KIT Plugins or its affiliates. None of the aforementioned name, logo or trademark owners were involved in the making of this product, nor do they endorse it. This plugin was made by KIT Plugins and John McBride at Blackbird Studio to represent the unique sound and quality of Blackbird. The names, logos and trademarks used are only for the purpose of identifying the hardware chain that was used to create this product.