HoRNet ZeroEQ
User Manual

Introduction

What is ZeroEQ and why does it exist

HoRNet ZeroEQ was born from a simple observation: equalizing is boring. Yes, we said it. While other manufacturers sell you yet another EQ with 847 bands and controls that not even a NASA engineer would understand, we took a different path.

ZeroEQ is an intelligent automatic equalizer that does what you should do, but in a fraction of the time and without the headache. It's not magic (although it looks like it), it's simply artificial intelligence applied the right way.

The plugin combines two complementary approaches:

Who is it for

ZeroEQ is perfect for anyone who wants professional results without wasting time:

The HoRNet philosophy: A good plugin should solve real problems, not create new ones. ZeroEQ saves you time on boring tasks, so you can focus on the creative part of your work.

Main Features

Corrective EQ (HarmoniQ)

The HarmoniQ system analyzes your audio with an 8192-point FFT and automatically identifies up to 10 problematic resonances.

In practice: It eliminates those annoying frequencies that make sound "metallic" or "boxy" without you having to go crazy finding them.

Tonal Shaping (BalanceEQ)

The BalanceEQ system analyzes spectral distribution and automatically balances 6 EQ bands for a more neutral tone.

In practice: If your audio is too "dark" or "harsh", this fixes it automatically.

Manual Controls

Because sometimes you need the human touch:

Warning: ZeroEQ is not a traditional EQ. You won't find 36 bands to manually adjust. If you want to go crazy with controls, use our TotalEQ MK2. This is made for those who want results, not for those who want to play.

Interface

The interface in light mode

HoRNet ZeroEQ - Light Mode

The interface in dark mode

HoRNet ZeroEQ - Dark Mode

Main Controls

Visualizations

The interface shows you what's happening to your audio:

Frequency scale: logarithmic from 20Hz to 20kHz (as it should be)

dB scale: -120dB

Quick Start Guide

4-Step Workflow

1
Insert ZeroEQ on the track or mix bus. Start playing your audio.
2
Let the audio play for 10-15 seconds. The plugin is already in learn mode and will automatically analyze the material.
3
Listen to the result - With Correction and Tone at 100% you already have a natural and balanced sound. In most cases, this is already perfect!
4
Customize only if necessary - Use Brightness and V-Shape to add character, or leave everything as is. Enable Constant Loudness if you want to maintain constant volume.

Practical tip: During learning, play the most representative part of your track. If you're working on vocals, use the chorus. If it's a full mix, use a section with all instruments. Then leave the controls at 100%/100% and listen: often it's already perfect that way.

Detailed Operation

How automatic learning works

ZeroEQ doesn't use machine learning or neural networks. It uses intelligent signal analysis:

  1. Continuous FFT analysis - The plugin constantly analyzes the audio spectrum with 8192-sample windows
  2. Pattern detection - Identifies resonances, harmonic peaks and tonal imbalances
  3. Correction calculation - Automatically determines frequency, Q and gain for each problem found
  4. Stabilization - Waits for the analysis to stabilize before stopping learning

When to use Corrective EQ

  • Audio with obvious resonances
  • Recordings in problematic environments
  • Instruments with "metallic" sounds
  • Vocals with excessive sibilance

When to use Tonal Shaping

  • Mixes with tonal imbalances
  • Audio too dark or bright
  • To "open up" the sound
  • General mix balancing

Manual controls - When and how

Brightness - Use this control when:

V-Shape - Use this control when:

Practical Use Cases

The ideal starting point

With Correction 100%, Tone 100%, Brightness 0, V-Shape 0 you already get a natural and balanced sound with resonances removed and neutral spectrum. This is your perfect starting point.

The manual controls serve to customize this result according to your taste or mix needs, not to "fix" problems. If you don't touch anything, you already have an excellent result.

🎤 Vocals

Starting point: Correction 100%, Tone 100%

Optional customization:

  • Brightness +20/+40% - For more "airy" and present vocals
  • V-Shape -10/-20% - For more clarity and "smile"
  • Constant Loudness ON - Maintains consistent volume

Note: Often you don't need to touch anything, the default result is already excellent.

🥁 Drums

Starting point: Correction 100%, Tone 100%

Optional customization:

  • V-Shape -30/-50% - For more "punch" and impact
  • Brightness -10/-20% - If cymbals are too present
  • Correction 120-150% - On very problematic recordings

Note: Default correction already eliminates drum skin resonances.

🎸 Guitar

Starting point: Correction 100%, Tone 100%

Optional customization:

  • Brightness +20/+40% - For brighter acoustic guitars
  • V-Shape +10/+30% - For more body on electric guitars
  • Tone 80-120% - To adapt to musical genre

Note: Default tonal balance is already neutral and musical.

🎵 Mix Bus

Starting point: Correction 100%, Tone 100%

Optional customization:

  • Brightness ±10/±20% - For overall tonal character
  • V-Shape -10/-20% - For more modern and sculpted mixes
  • Constant Loudness ON - Strongly recommended

Note: On mix bus, even small variations have great impact.

ZeroEQ Philosophy: The plugin analyzes and automatically corrects your audio bringing it to a neutral and balanced state. From there, you can choose to customize it or leave it as is. There's no "right" or "wrong" – there's only your taste and the song's needs.

Avoid "compulsive tweaking": If the default sound at 100%/100% is already good, don't feel obligated to touch the controls. Sometimes perfection is in accepting the natural result without forcing your "personal touch".

Parameters and Controls

Parameter Range Default Description
Corrective EQ 0-200% 100% Harmonic correction intensity (HarmoniQ)
Tonal Shaping 0-200% 100% Tonal balancing intensity (BalanceEQ)
Brightness -100% to +100% 0% Tilt EQ (±6dB) - tilts the spectrum
V-Shape -100% to +100% 0% Midrange control at 800Hz (±9dB)
Constant Loudness Off/On Off Automatic volume compensation (LUFS)
Bypass Off/On Off Completely bypasses the plugin

Technical parameter details

Corrective EQ and Tonal Shaping don't control individual bands, but the intensity of automatic algorithms. At 100% it applies the natural correction calculated for a balanced and neutral sound. At 0% the algorithm is disabled, above 100% intensifies the effect for extreme situations.

Brightness is a tilt filter that:

V-Shape is a peak/notch filter centered at 800Hz:

Technical Specifications

Supported Formats

  • VST3
  • Audio Unit (AU)
  • AAX (Pro Tools)

Platforms

  • Windows Vista+ (x64)
  • macOS 10.13+ (Intel + Apple Silicon)
Specification Value Notes
Channels Mono / Stereo Independent processing per channel
Sample Rate 44.1kHz - 192kHz Automatic oversampling ≤48kHz
Bit Depth 16/24/32-bit Internal 64-bit processing
Latency 0-5 samples 5 samples only with oversampling
CPU Usage < 10% single core On Intel i5 @ 2.5GHz
RAM Usage < 100MB Includes FFT buffers

Note on latency: ZeroEQ introduces zero latency on sample rates above 48kHz. At 44.1kHz and 48kHz it uses 2x oversampling which adds 5 samples of latency (0.1ms). Practically imperceptible but important to know for automatic DAW compensation.

Tips & Tricks

Advanced Tips

Common Mistakes to Avoid

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Can ZeroEQ replace a traditional EQ?

No, and that's not the goal. ZeroEQ is an automatic pre-correction tool. It solves obvious problems automatically, then you can use your favorite EQ for creative choices. It's like having an intelligent assistant that does the boring work.

How long should I let audio play during learning?

The HarmoniQ system automatically stabilizes after about 5 seconds, but it's better to play 10-15 seconds of representative material. BalanceEQ converges more slowly. You'll see in the UI when learning is completed.

Can I use ZeroEQ in real-time during recording?

Technically yes, but it's not recommended. ZeroEQ is designed for post-recording processing. During recording use a traditional EQ for urgent corrections, then apply ZeroEQ in mixing for fine optimization.

Why does the plugin have variable latency?

ZeroEQ uses automatic oversampling only when necessary. At sample rates ≤48kHz it activates 2x oversampling (5 samples latency) to avoid clamping of EQ bands at high frequencies. At higher sample rates no oversampling is needed, so zero latency.

What happens if I press Reset?

Pressing Reset, the plugin clears the previous analysis and starts over from scratch. Learning will automatically restart analyzing the new audio.

Does ZeroEQ work well on full stereo mixes?

Yes, but with moderation. On full mixes use lower percentages (40-80%) because even small corrections are heard on all elements. It's perfect for general tonal balancing and removing mixroom resonances.

Can I automate the parameters?

Yes, all exposed parameters are automatable. However, changing Corrective EQ and Tonal Shaping during playback can cause artifacts. Better to automate only Brightness, V-Shape and Bypass.

How do I know if ZeroEQ is actually improving the sound?

Golden rule: use bypass often and compare. If you have to convince yourself it sounds better, it probably doesn't sound better. A good EQ should be obviously better. Trust your ears, not your eyes.