Waves Curves Review: AI-Powered Resonance Suppression EQ

As an audio engineer with years of experience working across different DAWs and plugins, I’m always looking for tools that simplify and enhance my workflow. The Waves Curves Equator caught my attention because it promised to do precisely that: An all-in-one EQ plugin that combines resonance suppression, dynamic frequency unmasking, and tonal balancing. Too good to be true?

After diving into it, I must say it has the potential to redefine how we approach EQ, especially with its “smart” approach powered by AI. So I recommend you grab a cup of coffee (or a beer) and read what I discovered about this plugin and how I use it.

At first glance

The user interface of Curves Equator is intuitive, resembling some familiar new Waves plugins such as the Silk Vocal, yet bringing its own unique design and workflow. The Learn feature stands out prominently, allowing the plugin to analyze your audio and generate a personalized suppression curve. This is a game-changer for those tired of manually hunting down problematic frequencies, as it can dynamically detect resonances and tonal inconsistencies. You can also access more precise controls like Shape and Tilt, offering detailed manipulation of the frequency curve.

The design is clean and user-friendly, with both a simple and an advanced mode, much like other Waves plugins. This ensures that whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you can get results fast.

Key Features and Workflow

Smarter Resonance Suppression

The main selling point here is resonance suppression. In the past, dealing with resonant frequencies meant manually carving out notches or applying dynamic EQs, but Curves Equator takes care of this automatically. Once you hit the Learn button, the plugin scans your material—whether it’s a full mix, vocal, or instrumental—and generates a suppression curve. This curve can then be adjusted manually if needed.

The result? In my experience, within a few seconds, it cleans up muddiness and harshness without overprocessing the sound. It’s subtle yet powerful, allowing your mix to breathe. Think of it as pulling a blanket off your track, revealing the clarity that was always there but buried beneath unwanted resonances.

Frequency Unmasking with Sidechain

This feature is where the Curves Equator truly shines. By sidechaining the plugin to another source (e.g., a bass track and the kick, as in my example, it dynamically applies an inverse EQ curve to the track you’re working on (the bass in my case). This method of frequency unmasking ensures that no frequencies fight for space, creating a clearer, more balanced mix between your bass and kick. This technique can be applied in many more scenarios, like making space for vocals in the instrumental track, especially when you mix a project where you have the instrumental beat on a single track already mixed down.

The Learn via SC option ensures seamless interaction between clashing instruments or sounds, giving you total control over which elements take precedence in the mix. It’s almost like having a second set of ears making EQ decisions for you in real-time.

Advanced Features

Linear Phase Filters and Transparency

The plugin operates with linear phase filters, ensuring smooth processing without phase shifts or unwanted artifacts. The sound remains transparent whether I’m working on a delicate vocal or a dense mix. There’s no unnatural tonal coloration or loss of detail. This is especially useful when working with acoustic instruments or vocals that need to retain their natural warmth and presence.

Dynamic Auto-Makeup Gain

This is another helpful feature that prevents the common issue of losing energy after frequency attenuation. The Auto-makeup gain (on the right side of the Advanced Controls) ensures that the overall output level matches the input RMS, so you don’t have to worry about your sound losing power during processing. It keeps everything consistent, maintaining the original dynamics.

3 Adjustable Crossovers and 2×8 EQ Nodes

Curves Equator allows you to tweak your suppression curve with 3 adjustable crossovers and up to 2×8 control nodes for those who want even more control. This enables fine-tuning of specific frequency areas, whether you want a sharper cut or a smoother slope.

To show or hide the crossovers and band cut lines, you need to use the Compressor check button located on the right side of the user interface.

Real-World Use Case

I tested the Curves Equator on a vocal track that had a harsh midrange resonance and some low-end muddiness. After engaging the Learn function and allowing the plugin to do its magic, the harshness was immediately tamed, and the low end became more controlled, without sacrificing the vocal’s warmth. The plugin not only cleaned up the resonance but also brought out subtle details that were previously masked by the problematic frequencies.

I also experimented with sidechaining the plugin between a busy guitar and vocal mix. The frequency unmasking worked like a charm, allowing the vocal to sit perfectly on top of the guitar without clashing, all while maintaining the tonal integrity of both elements.

Final Thoughts

Curves Equator isn’t just another EQ or resonance suppressor—it’s a glimpse into the future of audio processing. The fact that it listens to your content, adapts to it, and offers personalized curves sets it apart from traditional EQs. Whether you’re a seasoned engineer or someone new to mixing, the Waves Curves Equator is a valuable tool to have in your arsenal. With its combination of automatic learning, frequency unmasking, and transparent processing, it may very well replace several other plugins in your workflow.

At $39, the introductory price feels more than reasonable for the level of innovation Waves has brought to the table here. I’m excited to see where the rest of the Curves Spectral Series goes when it releases in early 2025.

So, will Curves Equator make EQing obsolete? Maybe not entirely, but it sure makes it a lot easier and faster.