Curves AQ from Waves is an autonomous EQ plugin that analyzes incoming audio and generates its own spectral curves, rather than applying a fixed preset, and the plugin name is the string most often paired with crack and keygen searches.
Curves AQ at a glance
| Developer | Waves |
|---|---|
| Type | Effects / EQ |
| Formats | VST2, AU, AAX |
| Operating systems | Windows 10 or later, macOS |
| Price on Plugin Boutique (October 2026) | €53.55 (regular €154.69) |
What Curves AQ does
Control is split across five reimagined EQ controls. Amount sets the balance between static EQ and dynamic EQ in any combination, boosting and cutting can be adjusted independently both globally and per band, Smart Tilt handles overall tonal balance, and Offset shifts the curve along the X-axis to change the focal point of processing. MixSense AQ adjusts processing to the mix context. A zero-latency version, Curves AQ LIVE, is included.
Key features
- Five generated EQ profiles. The plugin generates five profiles based on the audio, each a spectral curve rather than a preset.
- Amount and balance. Amount sets the combination of static and dynamic EQ, and boost and cut can be set independently, globally or per band.
- Smart Tilt. Smart Tilt adjusts the overall tonal balance of the signal.
- Offset along the X-axis. Offset moves the curve along the frequency axis, changing the focal point of the processing.
- MixSense AQ and LIVE version. MixSense AQ adapts processing to the mix context, and Curves AQ LIVE is a zero-latency version of the plugin.
Compatibility
Curves AQ is available as VST2, AU and AAX for Windows and macOS, with Windows 10 as the minimum operating system.
Plugins similar to Curves AQ
| Plugin | Developer | Type | Formats | Systems | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curves AQ | Waves | EQ | VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €53.55 (regular €154.69) |
| smart:EQ 4 | sonible | EQ | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €10.66 (regular €127.93) |
| Infinity Horizon | Slate Digital | EQ | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €147.76 |
| EQual | IK Multimedia | EQ | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €118.99 |
| Pulsar 8200 | Pulsar Audio | EQ | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €78.34 (regular €147.76) |
Price and availability
Curves AQ was listed on Plugin Boutique in October 2026 at €53.55, reduced from €154.69. Prices change often, so the store page shows the current one.
Curves AQ FAQ
Is there an iLok emulator for Curves AQ?
The developer does not list an iLok requirement in the release line, so an iLok emulator is not part of the Curves AQ release.