Waves RS56 Passive EQ

A passive equalizer with powerful sound-shaping capabilities, the RS56 Universal Tone Control was originally introduced in the early 1950s and used in Abbey Road Studios to prepare recordings for the record-lathe, as part of the process we now know as "mastering." Later, Abbey Road's pop engineers began using the RS56 for studio recordings because of its abilities to dramatically manipulate sound unlike the basic treble and bass EQs found on the mixing consoles of the time. This earned it the nickname "The Curve Bender."

Waves and Abbey Road Studios have faithfully recreated the unique magic of the RS56, using advanced circuit modeling techniques based on the original schematics. Like its hardware predecessor, the Waves: Abbey Road RS56 passive EQ plugin features three bands with four selectable center frequencies for each and six different filter types, plus independent or linked control over the left and right channels. The result is an extraordinary equalizer that is as effective today as it was when it was created over half a century ago.

Waves RS56 Passive EQ Features

• Based on the legendary RS56 Universal Tone Control passive EQ
• Three bands with four selectable center frequencies for each
• Six different filter typesIndependent or linkable left/right controls
• Developed in association with Abbey Road Studios

• RS56 Passive EQ plugin download1

• System Requirements
  • Mac
    • CPU: Intel Core i7 / i9 / Xeon-W / Apple Silicon
    • Memory
      • Minimum: 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended)
      • 16 GB free disk space on the system drive
    • Operating System: 10.15.7, 11.6.5, 12.4. 13.0
    • Screen Resolution
      • Minimum: 1024x768
      • Recommended: 1280x1024 / 1600x1024
      • USB displays are not supported as the primary display.
      • V14 plugins require a graphics card that supports ‘Metal’
  • Windows
    • CPU
      • Intel Core i5, i7, i9, Xeon (all Gen 5 and above)
      • AMD Quad Core
      • AVX Support required
    • Memory
      • Minimum: 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended)
      • 16 GB free disk space on the system drive
    • Operating System
      • Windows 10 64 bit (21H2)
      • Windows 11 (21H2)
    • Screen Resolution
      • Minimum: 1024x768
      • Recommended: 1280x1024 / 1600x1024
• Supported Hosts
  • The DAW versions listed below are the latest on which we tested and officially qualified each the latest version of our products.
  • Waves’ latest version works on newer sub-versions of these DAWs, unless stated otherwise.
  • If your DAW (or DAW version) is not listed here, we recommend you demo the product you wish to purchase to confirm it works.
  • Your DAW must be running on an operating system that supports it in order for plugins to work properly. To confirm that your DAW version is supported on your operating system, please refer to your DAW’s website.
  • Mac
    • Pro Tools 2022.4 (AAX Native, Audiosuite)
    • Logic Pro X, 10.7.4 (Audio Units)
    • Digital Performer 11 (Audio Units)
    • Ableton Live 11 (VST3)
    • Nuendo 12 (VST3)
    • Cubase 12 (VST3)
    • Main Stage 3 (Audio Units)
    • Garage Band 10.4.6 (Audio Units)
    • Audition 22 (VST3)
    • Premiere Pro 22 (VST3)
    • Studio One Professional 5 (VST3)
    • FL Studio 20 (VST3)
    • REAPER 6 (VST3)
    • Reason 12 (VST)
    • Maschine 2 (VST)
    • Komplete Kontrol 2 (VST)
    • Bitwig Studio 4 (VST3)
    • Luna 1.1.11 (Audio Units)
  • Windows
    • Pro Tools 2022.4 (AAX Native, Audiosuite)
    • Ableton Live 11 (VST3)
    • Nuendo 12 (VST3)
    • Cubase 12 (VST3)
    • Cakewalk by BandLab 2021 (VST3)
    • Audition 22 (VST3)
    • Premiere Pro 22 (VST3)
    • Samplitude Pro X6 (VST3)
    • Sequoia 15 (VST3)
    • Pyramix 14 (VST3)
    • Studio One Professional 5 (VST3)
    • FL Studio 20 (VST3)
    • REAPER 6 (VST3)
    • Reason 12 (VST)
    • Maschine 2 (VST)
    • Komplete Kontrol 2 (VST)
    • Bitwig Studio 4 (VST3)
• Supported PlatformsMost Audio Hosts (See Supported Hosts), MultiRack, SuperRack, StudioRack, eMotion LV1 Mixer, eMotion ST Mixer, DiGiCo (DiGiCo SD (v929 or earlier) with MultiRack (v9.8 or earlier) embedded.), Avid VENUE 7.1 or later (When used with SoundGrid Rack for VENUE.)
• Sample Rate96kHz
• Channel ComponentsMono, Stereo
• Latency
  • NATIVE/SOUNDGRID
    • 44.1 kHz - 48 kHz=65
    • 88.2 kHz - 96 kHz=0
    • 176.4 kHz - 192 kHz=NA
  • VENUE TDM: 48kHz=NA