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API 205L Discrete Direct Instrument Input
MSRP: $69500
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About Inventory Status
About Inventory Status
Questions? Call or text us at 301-946-8808.
♫ In stock: It is in stock and available to ship or pickup. Apparel must be shipped from another location and is not available for in-store pickup. We can usually ship or have these items available for pickup by the next business day if they don't require inspection, special handling, or setup. Our pickup location is 11151 Veirs Mill Rd. Silver Spring, MD 20902.
📆 Preorder: It is on the way to our warehouse. We can't predict when preorder items will arrive due to current supply chain issues. If you place an order for one of these items someone will contact you to estimate the delivery date.
❓ Out of stock: We don't currently have it available but you're not out of luck yet. We still may be able to get it. If you order one of these items we will contact you with an estimated fulfillment date. You have the option to cancel the order if you change your mind.
❔ Special order: The item is so special that it needs to be custom ordered for you. Some of these items are works of art and have to be made individually. Orders for special order items must be prepaid and we cannot accept cancellations or refunds.
█ Sold out: We don't think we can get this item because it was either discontinued by the manufacturer or was limited in quantity. If you want or need this item call or text us. Sometimes we can help you track down the item through other sources or help you find something similar.
About Item Conditions
About Item Conditions
Questions? Call or text us at 301-946-8808.
New: The item is brand new as received from the manufacturer with a full manufacturer warranty. Instruments such as guitars, snare drums, drum kits, brass and woodwind instruments may be opened for photography and quality control inspection and may not be in a factory sealed box.
Mint or Open Box: The item may have been opened and tested but has been repackaged. The original packaging may have superficial issues but the item itself and any originally included accessories are in perfect, like new condition.
Display Model: These items are so cool that we put them on display in our legendary shop. The condition is brand new as received from the manufacturer with manufacturer warranty. Rest assured, these items undergo a very careful inspection before shipping.
Demo: These items have been on our sales floor for demo purposes and will likely show signs of use. The original packaging may no longer be included, but you can be assured that you are receiving an awesome item and an awesome price.
Used: The item is used. These item may have varying degrees of wear. Please read the description for information about the condition of the item. Used items do not carry a warranty.
B or C Stock: Factory refurbished. These items were purchased from the manufacturer in a refurbished condition. They will show some cosmetic issues, but nothing that would impact performance. Being that these are sealed from the manufacturer, we generally do not open these to photograph the cosmetic issues. They are guaranteed to work and may have a limited warranty or you may purchase an extended warranty in some cases. Please see the listing description for item specific information.
Description
Description
Get Direct Instrument Availability for Your Pickups and Reduce Low End "Mud" With the API 205L Discrete Direct Instrument Input
The API 205L Instrument Direct is specifically designed to accept a guitar or bass direct into it, without any loading on the pickups. The Gain Control is used to normalize the instrument's input level, up to a +4 dBu output level. With the use of the unique TONE control, the low end "mud" can be reduced. Turning on the BRIGHT switch adds clarity, like the bright switch on any amp. The combination of these two functions may eliminate the need for any EQ on the instrument when recording, keeping the signal pure.
- Wide range GAIN control
- Hi-Z input, like a Tube Amp
- Thin < > Fat TONE Control reduces low end mud
- BRIGHT Switch boosts the presence
- 20 dB PAD lowers the input level
- 100 K LOAD switch changes the tone of instruments
- 5 Segment LED Meter shows Output Level
- Transformer Coupled Output to +28 dBm
- All Discrete Design
How To Make 205L Help You Shine
The input is designed specifically to load a pickup the same way that a tube guitar amp would, retaining all of the tone, and minimizing the loading effect on the pickup. This minimal path eliminates the need to use a standard direct box, which more times than not only converts the signal to a balanced mic level output, which still requires a mic input, equalizer, and fader to get the signal to a recordable level.
The 205L is capable of boosting any instrument to a hefty line level without additional amplifiers. With the 100 K LOAD switch, the tone of the pickup can be altered slightly, which tends to darken the high frequency content. The BRIGHT switch adds a treble boost in the same manner that most instrument amplifiers do, clarifying the instrument and adding presence to it without the need for outboard equalization. When inserting an instrument with an internal preamp or a line level instrument such as a sampler or a keyboard, the 205L has a 20 dB PAD switch to drop the level without loading, thereby retaining the full range of the 205L and its features.
When used with other 200L series modules, a complete input strip can be built from input through dynamics, equalization, and final output. Also, the output of the 205L can be fed to tape, or the input of a guitar power amplifier. The artist can then be in the control room while the instrument amp is isolated in the studio. The 205L can be used in the Legacy or Vision Series Consoles, or in the L200 Rack. The 205L Direct makes use of the 2510 and 2520 op-amps and therefore exhibits the reliability, long life, and uniformity characteristic of API products.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Number of Bands: Two
- Filter Type: Passive Shelf
- Filter Frequency Centers: Low - 150 Hz, High - 8 kHz
- Input Impedance: greater than 470 K Ohms, Un-Balanced
- Output Impedance: 85 Ohms, Transformer coupled, Balanced
- Nominal Levels: -40 dBu to +20 dBu
- Clipping Level: +28 dBu
- Frequency Response: 0, -.3, 30 to 20 kHz
- Noise: 98 dB below +10 dBm output, unweighted. 20 - 20 kHz
- THD: .02% (+4 dB @ 2 K)
- Connectors: .100 spaced ELCO
- Power Consumption: ±16 Volts DC, 80mA max at +24 dBu out
- Size (W x H x D): 1.25 x 2.65 x 6.5 inches / 32 x 67 x 165 mm
- Shipping Size (W x H x D): 4.5 x 6.25 x 10 inches / 114 x 159 x 254 mm
- Actual Weight: 0.61 lb / 277 g
- Shipping Weight: 0.98 lb / 445 g
Manufacturer: Automated Processes Inc
Model: 205L
SKU: I384066-N-0-WHXD
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