Tracking & Mixing With The API Select T12 Dual-Channel Mic Pre & T25 Dual-Channel Compressor

In early August, API introduced API Select, a series of six releases that combined technology purchased by the storied brand over the years with homegrown innovations. The API Select lineup includes the T12 Tube 2-Channel Mic Preamplifier, T25 2-Channel Tube Compressor, SR22 Dual-Channel Compressor, SR24 Dual Channel Equalizer, TranZformer GTR Pedal and TranZformer CMP Pedal.

There's been lots of hype about all six releases, but the most fervor surrounds the T12 and T25. The T12 is a dual mic preamp with a tube-based circuit featuring 12AT7WC and 12BH7 tubes, in addition to proprietary API input transformers and custom transformers on the output stage. The T25 is a dual channel FET feedback-style comp/limiter with a Class-A tube output stage that packs a custom API transformer and the same dual-triode vacuum tubes as the T12.

Vintage King is happy to offer up your First Listen of both the T12 and T25 in our new demo. Singer/songwriter Jake LeMond came into the studio to work on a track and we utilized both the mic pre and compressor on each sound source during the session. The video is rounded out with two mixes, both feature the T25 on the mix bus and one features some sweetening from Universal Audio's API EQ plug-ins. You'll find a full breakdown of our signal flow and mix notes below the video.

Performances by Jake LeMond (Bass, Electric Guitar, Vocals), Dustin McLaughlin (Synthesizer) and Bryan Reilly (Drums). Engineered and mixed by Bryan Reilly.

Vocals: Sony C-100 / API Select T12 Mic Pre / API Select T25 Compressor / Avid Pro Tools | Carbon Audio Interface

Electric Guitar: Shure SM57 and Royer R-121 / API Select T12 Mic Pre / API Select T25 Compressor / Avid Pro Tools | Carbon Audio Interface

Bass: API Select T12 Mic Pre (Direct In) / API Select T25 Compressor / Avid Pro Tools | Carbon Audio Interface

Moog Matriarch: API Select T12 Mic Pre (Direct In) / API Select T25 Compressor / Avid Pro Tools | Carbon Audio Interface

Drums: Coles 4038s / API Select T12 Mic Pre / API Select T25 Compressor / Avid Pro Tools | Carbon Audio Interface

Mix Notes: Mix 1: Mix 1 is running all the sources tracked through the API Select T12 and utilizing the API Select T25 on the mix bus.

Mix 2: Mix 2 is identical to Mix 1, but features some added EQ from Universal Audio's API 550A and 560 plug-ins.

If you have any questions about the API Select product lineup or would like to purchase the T12 or T25, we're here to help! Please contact a Vintage King Audio Consultant via email or by phone at 866.644.0160.