Curves AQ by Waves AI autonomous EQ plugin interface

Curves AQ: AI-Powered Autonomous EQ Plugin by Waves

Rated 4.6/5 on Plugin Boutique (92 ratings)

Curves AQ is an AI-powered EQ plugin from Waves that analyzes your audio and generates original spectral curves, offering five EQ profiles to choose from along with five EQ controls for shaping the result.

VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS

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01Overview

Curves AQ is built around a simple idea: you click learn, and the plugin analyzes the audio you feed it. Rather than applying a fixed preset curve, it generates EQ curves based on the natural qualities of the material, whether that is a vocal, an instrument or a full mix. Waves describes it as an autonomous EQ, and it offers five unique EQ profiles so you can compare different results before settling on one. Five reimagined EQ controls let you refine the curve from there.

Best for

Vocal EQ
Mix channel tonal balancing
Instrument tone shaping
Live and tracking chains
Full mix EQ

Developer: Waves
Category: EQ
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

AI-powered EQ that generates curves after you click learn
Five unique EQ profiles to choose from
Five reimagined EQ controls for shaping the sound
MixSense adjusts processing in the context of the mix
Blend static EQ and dynamic EQ in any amount
Independent boost and cut, globally and per band
Smart Tilt control for overall tonal balancing
Offset feature shifts the curve along the X-axis
Includes Curves AQ LIVE, a zero-latency version

03In depth

How Curves AQ Shapes Your Sound

Curves AQ generates five EQ profiles from the audio it learns, and you choose the one that fits the track. The developer describes the curves as original rather than preset-based. From there, the plugin's five EQ controls let you adjust the result.

Boost and cut can be adjusted independently, both globally and per band. A Smart Tilt control handles overall tonal balance, and an Offset feature moves the curve along the X-axis to change the focal point of the processing.

The balance between static and dynamic EQ is also adjustable, so you can use either approach or blend them.

Context-Aware Processing for Mixing

MixSense is the feature that adjusts processing in the context of the mix. Instead of treating a channel in isolation, the plugin responds to what else is happening in the mix, which makes it suited to working on individual tracks within a full arrangement.

Curves AQ LIVE is included as a zero-latency version, which is relevant when you need the plugin in a live or tracking chain where delay matters.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Waves
Type	Plugin
Category	EQ
Formats	VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What is Curves AQ?

Curves AQ is an AI-powered EQ plugin from Waves. After you click learn, it analyzes your audio and generates original EQ curves, offering five profiles to choose from.

What formats and operating systems does Curves AQ support?

Curves AQ is available in VST2, AU and AAX formats. It runs on Windows and macOS, with the developer listing macOS Monterey 12 through Sequoia 15 and Windows 10 and later as system requirements.