Said to be “the world’s first autonomous EQ”, the latest arrival to Waves’ ever-expanding plug-in collection claims to be capable of doing your equalisation work for you! Curves AQ relies on the company’s AI Spectral Targeting Technology, and will generate a choice of custom EQ settings tailored to the source material.
As with many AI-powered plug-ins, the first step in putting Curves AQ to work involves playing your source material and hitting a Learn button. However, Waves say that rather than providing a fixed preset EQ — an approach taken by many comparable plug-ins — the processor responds by generating five EQ profiles that are based directly on the input signal. Its GUI displays a white EQ curve, referred to as the Spectral Target, while a selection of red and blue curves represent the boosts and cuts being applied to the signal by the active profile.
The Spectral Target can be adjusted in a similar way to a conventional EQ curve, although the company are keen to point out that doing so adjusts the ‘destination’ — it’s the cuts and boosts taking place beforehand that are actually affected by the changes. Once the Learn process has been carried out, Curves AQ generates four frequency ‘anchors’ (bands) that offer a simple way to adjust the track’s low end, fundamentals, harmonics and high end. Some other handy additions include side-chaining capabilities that allow Curves AQ to resolve conflicting frequencies between tracks, and seamless blending between static and dynamic EQ bands.
Key Features
- Boosts & Cuts: Curves AQ refines sounds in order to adapt them to the Spectral Target through a series of boosts and cuts. Adjustments on either boosting or cutting can be made globally or on a per-band basis.
- Static / Dynamic Slider: Static and dynamic EQ modes are provided, with a dedicated slider making it possible to seamlessly blend between the two.
- Smart Tilt: Reshapes the Spectral Target with powerful tonal adjustments, while an Offset control shifts the target curve along the X-axis, repositioning the fundamental frequency and harmonics for creative effects.
- MixSense — EQ in Context: By side-chaining any audio and turning on MixSense, users can ensure Curves AQ exclusively targets only conflicting frequencies between two parts.
- Adaptive Mode: Curves AQ works straight out of the box even without the Learn function, providing dynamic balancing using a flat Spectral Target, with adjustable processing via the main knob.
- Four Frequency Anchors: The plug-in’s Neural Network creates four anchors tailored to the frequency spectrum of the user’s track, offering control over the low end, fundamental, harmonics and high-frequency content of their source material.
- Traditional EQ: For those who like to work ‘old-school’, Curves AQ offers the ability to add nodes on the Spectral Target, shape Qs and add high- and low-pass filtering.
Compatibility
Curves AQ is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or above, and Macs running macOS 12 and later. VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available.
Pricing & Availability
Curves AQ is available now, and is currently (8 April 2025) being offered at an introductory price of $49.99, reduced from its full cost of $129. It is also included in the Waves Mercury bundle and Waves Ultimate subscription.
