The company: Automated Processes Inc., formed by men with a vision. Best known for their now legendary "2520 amplifier", this unique amp has been and will continue to be the heart of all API discrete products. It continues to provide reliability and sonic purity unmatched by the competition. The resulting console met the needs of the music, commercial and broadcast industry. API became the leading audio broadcast console manufacturer for radio and television networks and high profile stations. In addition, recording studios, large and small, began using API.....and receiving rave reviews from engineers and producers. There are over 700 API consoles across the nation and around the world, including the three major networks. Over thirty years later, many of these consoles are still in daily use in some of the most prestigious recording and broadcast facilities in the world because, to date, there are few, if any consoles of equal sound quality at a cost-effective price. Technical contributions to the industry:
1969 Pioneered modular design
1969 Developed high technology in conductive plastic faders
1973 The first computerized console automation system for the control of fader levels
1974 Developed and manufactured the first computer programmable console with automation of EQ, Sends, Pans and Faders. Far ahead of its time, the system was eventually known as Total Recall
1974 The first voltage controlled amplifier (VCA)
1974 Developed one of the first tape synchronizer systems
1977 Developed first micro-processor based crosspoint intercoms for use in broadcast and production, which became the basis for the discrete series bus assignment system
1991 First console manufactured utilizing touch-screen computer assignment for complete switch reset
