HoRNet releases “Angle” – free Tilt EQ plug-in

HoRNet Angle: A Free Tilt EQ Plugin with Analog Character

HoRNet Plugins has released HoRNet Angle, a free plugin offered as a Christmas gift to the audio production community. Designed to provide fast and musical tonal shaping, Angle is a tilt EQ—a type of equalizer that allows users to shift the overall frequency balance of a signal with a single, smooth control. Though simple in appearance, Angle includes advanced features like auto gain compensation, input/output metering, and analog emulation, making it a versatile tool for both beginner and professional audio engineers.

The tilt EQ concept is based on rotating the frequency spectrum around a central point. When the control is tilted to one side, high frequencies are boosted while low frequencies are attenuated, and vice versa when tilted in the other direction. This makes tilt EQs ideal for quick tonal adjustments, especially during the early stages of mixing or when refining the overall tone of a master.

HoRNet Angle offers a tilt range adjustable from -18dB to +18dB, giving users enough flexibility to perform subtle corrections or more pronounced tonal shifts. Whether you’re brightening a dull track or taming excessive top end, the tilt function works with smooth, musical curves that preserve the natural character of the audio.

One of the most practical features of HoRNet Angle is its input and output gain controls, which include auto-gain functionality. When activated, auto-gain compensates for level changes introduced by the EQ tilt, keeping the output level consistent. This makes it easier to evaluate tonal changes objectively, without being misled by changes in volume. The plugin also includes peak meters for both input and output levels, allowing you to monitor signal integrity throughout the processing chain.

To enhance its sonic footprint, Angle includes analog emulation based on the OpAmp model from HoRNet AnalogStage. This emulation adds a subtle harmonic coloration and non-linear behavior that mimics classic analog circuits. While subtle, this character can contribute to a warmer, more engaging sound, particularly when used across multiple tracks or on the master bus.

Despite being a free plugin, Angle is fully featured and compatible with all major plugin formats. It runs on macOS (10.7 and above) and Windows, supporting both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. Available formats include Audio Units, VST2.4, VST3, and AAX, making it compatible with nearly all modern DAWs, including Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, FL Studio, Cubase, and many more.

The interface of HoRNet Angle is designed for simplicity and speed. A large central knob controls the tilt EQ, flanked by smaller knobs for input and output gain. An auto-gain toggle switch lets you activate or disable level compensation with a single click. Two vertical meters provide visual feedback of input and output peak levels, ensuring you remain in control of your gain structure. A bypass button is also included, allowing you to quickly compare the processed and unprocessed signal.

Although compact and easy to use, Angle can serve many roles in a mixing or mastering session. You can place it on a vocal track to subtly brighten or darken the tone, use it on drums to control the low/high balance, or insert it on the master bus to perform quick reference adjustments. It’s also useful during live sound or broadcast situations, where fast tonal shaping is often required without diving into complex EQ settings.

Thanks to its lightweight design and low CPU usage, HoRNet Angle is ideal for use in larger sessions where many instances may be needed. It loads quickly, responds smoothly to control changes, and maintains stability across platforms and DAWs.

The inclusion of analog saturation gives Angle a slight edge over more clinical digital EQs. Even when no tilt is applied, engaging the plugin introduces a small amount of harmonic content, enhancing the depth and presence of the signal in a subtle but pleasing way. This can make a difference when stacking tracks or mastering for streaming platforms, where digital precision sometimes lacks musical warmth.

In summary, HoRNet Angle is more than just a holiday giveaway—it’s a useful, high-quality mixing tool that fits into a wide range of workflows. Whether you’re a beginner exploring EQ techniques or a professional looking for a quick tonal fix with analog flavor, Angle delivers efficient results with minimal effort.

You can download HoRNet Angle for free directly from the HoRNet Plugins website. No license manager, serial number, or activation is required—just install and use. This reflects HoRNet’s philosophy of creating accessible, practical tools that help producers and engineers work faster and smarter.