Freak-Q | Chaos Culture | The Opposite of an Equaliser

Name: Freak-Q by Chaos Culture
Brand: Chaos Culture
SKU: FREAK
Price: 31 GBP
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (8 reviews)

MaxforLive	Audio Devices
Ableton Live Compatibility	Ableton Live 10 Standard with MaxforLive, Ableton Live 10 Suite, Ableton Live 11 Standard with MaxforLive, Ableton Live 11 Suite, Ableton Live 12 Standard with MaxforLive, Ableton Live 12 Suite
Min. Requirements	Ableton Live 10 Standard with MaxforLive Installed or Ableton Live 10 Suite
OS	Mac, Windows

Freak-Q by Chaos Culture

Freak-Q is a MaxforLive device that can be described as a graphic equalizer with 2048 bands. Although this is technically not accurate it helps to understand what this device does and how it affects the signal. Instead of actual filters to split the signal into bands, Freak-Q is based on a fast Fourier transformation.

Keep in mind that all 2048 bands are always fixed and equally placed across the frequency spectrum and therefore using a higher sample rate will lower the resolution. The quality stays the same, but it will sound different.

To change the amplitude of every frequency band this plugin gives you the ability to draw curves and modify them with automatable parameters to an extend that has never been done before. This creates interesting and often unpredictable results, which makes this plugin good for experimentation. This equalizer is not designed to balance a mix, it is meant to distort the frequency spectrum and to create harmonics or weird altered sounds.

This device can boost the signal by a large amount if you’re not careful, using a limiter is probably a good idea. Generally you can make the most out of this plugin by applying it to a rich signal and adding distortion and compression afterwards.

Each of the 4 available curve modules are identical. The curve editor is on the left and on the right you can find automatable parameters that modify the curve in different ways. The amount, offset and scale parameters are being updated in audio rate to allow the highest precision possible. With that you can draw very quick spikes and movements to create and shape transients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Unlike a conventional EQ that uses filters to shape a signal, Freak-Q uses fast Fourier transformation to manipulate 2048 fixed frequency bands simultaneously. This means it is built for sound design and spectral destruction rather than mix balancing, often producing harmonics and unpredictable tonal results.

Yes, Freak-Q is a Max for Live device, so you will need Ableton Live with Max for Live installed to use it. It is recommended to have a current version of both Ableton Live Suite and Max for Live for full compatibility.

All 2048 bands are fixed and equally spaced across the frequency spectrum at all times. You draw curves across these bands to alter their amplitude, and automatable parameters let you push those curves into extreme and evolving shapes that go well beyond what a standard graphic EQ can do.

Yes, using a higher sample rate spreads the 2048 fixed bands across a wider frequency range, which lowers the resolution per band. The quality does not degrade, but the character of the effect will sound different, so it is worth experimenting at your preferred sample rate to understand how it behaves.

Absolutely. The parameters that control and modify the drawn curves are fully automatable within Ableton Live, making Freak-Q a powerful tool for creating evolving, movement-driven spectral effects over time.

Freak-Q is designed for sound design rather than corrective work, making it ideal for creating unusual textures, generating harmonics, mangling synths and samples, or transforming mundane sounds into something entirely unrecognisable. If you want controlled chaos in your frequency spectrum, this is the tool for it.

Once downloaded, drag the Max for Live device file into your Ableton Live User Library or directly onto a track. From there it will be available in your device browser for use on any audio or instrument channel.

Important Information

V1.0.0 – Initial Release

Our Products are generally provided as Zip file downloads which in all cases will need to be extracted and saved to your hard drive prior to installation. Details on the different file type provided and what to do with them are below.

.alp Files – These are Ableton Live Packs and will either install directly into the Packs Section of the browser of Ableton Live or ask you to save them to your hard drive. For packs that install to the library, when you double click on them you will see a pop up window asking you to confirm that installation is ok as the files are described as “Legacy”. This is fine and you are ok to proceed, the packs are created using the format for an earlier version of Live and so remain compatible with the current version.

.amxd files – These are individual MaxforLive Devices and can be stored anywhere on your hard drive. We’d advise creating a folder for them and then adding that folder as a location within the Places section of Lives Browser.

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