Waves Audio has announced the release of Curves Resolve, the third installment in the company’s Curves Series of intelligent mixing plugins that’s designed to help manage frequency masking and congestion between tracks and across complex mixes.
Whereas Curves Equator focused on suppressing problematic resonances and Curves AQ introduced autonomous EQ, Curves Resolve is built to analyze relationships between two tracks simultaneously. It continuously “listens” to one source while shaping another, carving space only at overlapping frequencies, and only when those conflicts occur to help yield a clearer mix with greater separation while preserving tonal integrity and transients.
At the point where a mix should finally come together, frequency collisions are often the factor that prevents it from truly locking in. Engineers frequently end up chasing these conflicts with manual EQ adjustments, side-chain workarounds and compromises that can gradually erode tone.
Curves Resolve is designed to offer a more effective and transparent approach to managing masking between tracks. The plugin analyzes how two signals interact, applies processing only where genuine clashes occur, and preserves the musical character of each source.
Curves Resolve gives engineers two complementary ways to shape space between tracks, and even lets them combine them. In dynamic mode, the plugin reacts in real time, constantly adjusting its curves as the musical content evolves. In steady (learned) mode, it analyzes a passage and creates a stable, predictable contour that stays anchored, making it ideal for parts that need consistency. It also offers the ability to blend these behaviors, offering more precise control over responsiveness versus stability with more stability than traditional EQs or static side-chain techniques.
Engineers can refine how Curves Resolve interprets the sidechain by filtering and tilting the incoming signal, helping to ensure the plugin reacts to relevant energy (not incidental content). It also redefines ducking by turning it into a more precise, musical process. Instead of relying only on traditional full-band level reduction, users can choose wide ducking when they want the familiar effect of lowering one signal beneath another, such as music dipping under a voice.
They can also engage Unmask mode, which is designed to intelligently reduce only the frequencies that are actually causing conflict, rather than pulling the entire signal down. This frequency-specific approach is intended to help keep mixes punchy and present, allowing vocals, leads and dialogue to cut through clearly while preserving the natural energy of the surrounding tracks.
Snapshot controls provide instrument-aware starting points optimized for vocals, bass, guitars, synths, keys, snare and more, accelerating setup while aligning processing behavior with source material.
Curves Resolve also includes “Curves Resolve Live,” a zero-latency version of the same plugin suitable for live and broadcast mixing.
Waves is launching Curves Resolve free for all users on January 19, 2026, for 48 hours only. After the giveaway period, the plugin will be available for sale and included in the Waves Essential and Waves Ultimate subscriptions, and Mercury, Pro Show and SD7 Pro Show bundles.
www.waves.com
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