Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (3)
$16,995.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (1)
$16,995.00
Reverb
$16,995.00 New
$11,900.00 Used
Musician's Friend
$16,995.00

Average Price: $15,976

High-end/Boutique

$200

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "API The Box 2". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

For the modern studio seeking to harness the legendary sound of API without the footprint of a large console, the API The Box 2 is your perfect partner. This compact summing mixer and recording console brings the renowned API analog warmth and punch to your digital workflow, ensuring your productions stand out. Featuring the same circuitry as API's esteemed large-format consoles, The Box 2 is a testament to high-quality audio engineering packed into a space-conscious design.

Ideal for project studios and professional setups alike, The Box 2 offers eight input channels, each equipped with mic preamps, line inputs, and highpass filters. With its eight 500 Series slots, you can customize your setup with ease, tailoring your sound to perfection. The console also includes a built-in stereo bus compressor, assignable to the program bus or individual input channels, adding that extra touch of polish to your mixes.

Designed for the digital age, The Box 2 eliminates the redundant features of larger consoles while providing all the essential tools missing from your DAW. From cue sends with talkback to a comprehensive monitor section that supports dual stereo systems, The Box 2 ensures you're in command of every aspect of your audio production.

Key Features:

  • 8 input channels with mic preamp, line input, and highpass filter
  • 8 x 500 Series slots for modular customization
  • Direct out on input channels
  • Onboard stereo bus compressor, assignable to program bus or input channels 1–4
  • 16 summing channels (24 channels during mixdown)
  • 0dB bypass switch on each summing channel
  • 4-segment LED metering on each summing channel
  • Full-featured monitor section that supports 2 stereo monitor systems
  • Comprehensive rear-panel connections with balanced inputs and outputs

Product specs

Type 24 Channel Summing Mixer and Console
Power Source Standard IEC AC cable
Height 13.2"
Width 32.5"
Depth 26.4"
Weight 90 lbs.

FAQs

What are the key features of the API The Box 2 Summing Mixer and Recording Console?

The API The Box 2 offers 24 channels for summing, eight mic preamps, input signal processing, a high-quality mix bus, cue sends with talkback, and comprehensive monitor control, making it ideal for DAW-based studios seeking enhanced analog capabilities.

How many mic preamps does the API The Box 2 have?

The API The Box 2 is equipped with eight mic preamps, doubling the number from its predecessor, The Box, to better accommodate recording drums and small ensembles.

Is the API The Box 2 suitable for small home studios?

Yes, the API The Box 2 is designed for project studios, providing essential analog mixing and summing capabilities alongside digital workstations, making it suitable for professional-grade home studio setups.

What power source does the API The Box 2 require?

The API The Box 2 uses a standard IEC AC cable for power, ensuring compatibility with typical studio power setups.

Can the API The Box 2 be used for both mixing and recording?

Yes, the API The Box 2 functions as both a summing mixer and a recording console, offering flexibility for various studio applications, including mixing and tracking.

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

API The Box 2 Summing Mixer and Recording Console Demo

Video thumbnail for API The Box 2 Summing Mixer and Recording Console Demo by Sweetwater

API The Box 2 Summing Mixer and Recording Console Demo

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for Dale Pro Audio - API THE BOX 2 at Winter NAMM 2019 by DaleProAudio

Dale Pro Audio - API THE BOX 2 at Winter NAMM 2019

DaleProAudio

DaleProAudio

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about API The Box 2.

Comparisons

  • API The Box 2 is frequently mentioned alongside Audient ASP48416, highlighting a preference for its 500 series slots.

    Source
  • Compared to the SSL XL-Desk, which has 16 slots, The Box 2's 8 slots may limit EQ options for more than 8 channels during mixing.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • API The Box 2 is favored for its compact size and modular configuration, ideal for home studios with limited space.

    Source
  • The API The Box 2 features a monitor section that supports 16 channels, allowing expanded mixing capabilities despite having only 8 preamps.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • API The Box 2 is seen as overkill for track-by-track workflows but beneficial for those integrating multiple 500 series modules.

    Source
  • For those wanting to step up from in-the-box mixing, The Box 2 offers a more tactile console experience with real EQs and console vibes.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners appreciate the ease of setup with API The Box 2, noting its straightforward integration into existing digital and analog setups.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Users have pointed out that while The Box 2 is budget-friendly, acquiring additional 500 series modules for expanded functionality can be costly.

    Source

Critic Reviews

API The Box 2

soundonsound.com

API's The Box 2 elevates its predecessor by adding four essential input channels, making it a more practical choice for project studios. Its classic big-console sound is enhanced by high-quality transformers and intuitive design, delivering exceptional audio performance. While its weight can be cumbersome and the allocation of compressors could be better, these are minor drawbacks against its outstanding functionality and build quality. A compelling option for those seeking professional analog mixing capabilities without sacrificing modern conveniences.

positive

API: THE BOX 2 Console | Tape Op Magazine | Longform candid interviews with music producers and audio engineers covering mixing, mastering, recording and music production.

tapeop.com

API's The Box 2 is a formidable contender for modern studios, combining the warmth of analog with practical functionality. With its ergonomic design, responsive faders, and enhanced features like front-mounted DI jacks and versatile 500 Series integration, it significantly improves workflow and sound quality. The addition of more input channels and built-in compressors is a welcome upgrade, though the fader gain may leave some users wanting more for synths and drum machines. A few minor limitations, such as the absence of a unity gain button on mic inputs and the lack of dedicated aux returns, are noted but don’t overshadow its capabilities. Overall, The Box 2 is a powerful tool for musicians seeking depth and immediacy in their recordings, making it a worthwhile investment.

positive

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Joy Orbison uses API The Box 2

Joy Orbison

Music Producer, DJ

Joy Overmono

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo from the 8.13.2021 interview for FNMNL, the artist can be seen with an API The Box 2 mixing console. While it is true that the The Box and The Box 2 look identical on the righthand side, and the artist is obscuring the view of the lefthand side of the console, consider these facts:

  1. The Box 2 had already been on the market more than a year at the time of this interview

  2. If this was an original The Box (version 1), the meters would likely not be centered with the computer screen like they are here, as the left side of that console is much shorter than the right (the box 2 added 4 more channels on the left). The fact that the meters are center with the monitor strongly suggests that this is a Box 2, as a box 2 would center with the monitor exactly as we we see in the photo.... what kind of psychopath would put their $10k+ console well off-center of their workstation screen? Nobody, that's who. This is Box 2. I rest my case.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use API The Box 2, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Korg MS-20 Mini
Korg MS-20 Mini Synthesizers
1
Apple Logic Pro
Apple Logic Pro DAW Software
1

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