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Waves Curves AQ review

#24 of 41 in AI Audio Mixing Software

A focused AI EQ plugin for shaping tone, with dynamic control and sidechain context.

5.6/10Editor score
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Waves Curves AQ5.6 Visit Waves Audio

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Waves Curves AQ is an audio equalizer plugin for music producers, mixing engineers, and other audio professionals who want AI-assisted tonal shaping inside a supported digital audio workstation. Its Learn function analyzes source audio and generates five EQ profiles, while the interface provides control over static and dynamic processing, frequency boosts and cuts, tonal tilt, and frequency-specific shaping. It runs on Windows and macOS and is available as a VST plugin.

The main strength is depth within EQ. Curves AQ combines global and per-band controls with four frequency anchors covering low end, fundamentals, harmonics, and air. Smart Tilt supports broader tonal balancing, while MixSense uses sidechain audio for contextual processing. Curves AQ LIVE adds a zero-latency component, which suits live or latency-sensitive workflows. This feature set makes the product more than a single-button auto-EQ tool, while keeping the focus on frequency balance rather than broader mix automation.

The published pricing structure lists a paid Perpetual license that includes the Curves AQ plugin and Curves AQ LIVE, with a starting price of 129. Waves also offers subscription access, and a separate 7-day Creative Access evaluation requires payment details. The product is a strong fit for producers and engineers who want generated EQ starting points with detailed manual refinement. It is less suitable for buyers seeking an all-in-one AI mixing system, automatic dynamics processing, or stem separation. Those requirements call for a broader tool alongside, or instead of, Curves AQ.

Waves Curves AQ pros and cons

  • Where it wins
    • Generates five EQ profiles from the source audio
    • Blends static and dynamic EQ processing
    • Includes zero-latency Curves AQ LIVE processing
  • Where it doesn't
    • Focuses on EQ rather than full mix processing
    • Does not provide automatic dynamics processing
    • Does not include stem separation

Waves Curves AQ fact sheet, pricing and score →

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