Orra EQ User Manual

1. Introduction

What is Orra EQ?

Orra EQ is a professional 16-band parametric equalizer for music production, mixing, and mastering. It combines transparent equalization with sophisticated saturation processing, dynamic saturation, dynamic EQ capabilities, and vintage analog emulation in an intuitive interface.

Key Features

•16 fully parametric EQ bands with extended frequency range (10Hz to 22kHz)
•Five processing modes per band: EQ, Orra Tube, Tape, Models (10 saturation types), and Dynamic EQ
•Real-time FFT spectrum analyzer with pre/post visualization
•Dynamic saturation system: Upward compression for adding character to quiet signals
•100-snapshot history system: Non-destructive experimentation with instant recall
•Professional preset management: Factory presets plus unlimited user presets
•Solo, Bypass, Delta, and Hide Curve modes for surgical EQ work
•Input/Output metering with separate gain controls

2. Getting Started

System Requirements

macOS

• macOS 10.13 or later
• Intel & Apple Silicon native
• VST3 and AU formats

Windows

• Windows 10 or later (64-bit)
• Intel or AMD processor
• VST3 format

Installation

1.Download the Orra EQ installer from orraaudio.com
2.Run the installer and follow on-screen instructions
3.The plugin will be installed to your system's standard plugin directories
4.Restart your DAW if it was running during installation
5.Scan for new plugins in your DAW's preferences

Activation

Orra EQ requires activation to use beyond the 14-day demo period.

Option 1: Enter License Key

• Click "Enter License Key" on the overlay
• Enter your license key (format: XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX)
• Your license activates on this machine (3 activations total per license)

Option 2: Start 14-Day Demo

• Click "Start 14-Day Demo" to try Orra EQ with full functionality
• Demo can only be started once per machine
• All features unlocked during demo period

3. Interface Overview

Main Layout

Orra EQ's interface consists of:

•Header bar (top) with preset, analyzer, and license controls
•EQ curve display (center) with 16 interactive control points
•Right panel with band controls
•Meter panel (far right) with input/output meters
•Dynamic settings panels (slide out from center when needed)

Header Bar

Left Side

License: Click logo to view license status

Center

Analyzer Controls: Pre/Post toggle, Peak Hold, Toggle all band curves

Right Side

Undo, Snapshot History, Preset Browser, Tips Toggle

EQ Curve Display

The central display shows:

•Frequency response curve (white for EQ, gold for saturation modes)
•16 numbered control points (colored by band)
•Real-time spectrum analyzer (green = input, blue = output)
•Grid lines for frequency (10Hz to 22kHz) and gain (-60dB to +30dB)

Right Panel - Band Controls

Top Row: State Buttons (Circular toggles)

SSolo: Mutes all other bands to hear this band's effect
BBypass: Disable this band
DDelta: Hear only what the band removes/adds
HHide: Hide this band's curve visualization

Core Parameters (when band selected)

•Frequency Knob: 10Hz to 22kHz
•Gain Knob: -60dB to +30dB (EQ mode) or 0-100% (saturation modes)
•Quality Knob: 0.1 to 40.0
•Filter Type: Bell, High Shelf, Low Shelf
•Mode: EQ / Orra Tube / Tape / Models / Dynamic EQ

4. Working with EQ Bands

Creating Bands

Double-Click on Frequency Graph

Double left-click anywhere on the frequency graph to create an EQ band. Double right-click anywhere on the frequency graph to create an Orra Tube saturation band. Bands created below 100Hz automatically become low shelves. Bands above 10kHz automatically become high shelves.

Click Existing Control Point

Click any numbered control point (1-16). Band becomes active for editing and parameters appear in right panel.

Editing Bands

•Moving Control Points: Click and drag vertically for gain (-60dB to +30dB), horizontally for frequency (10Hz to 22kHz)
•Adjusting Q: Cmd + drag (macOS) or Ctrl + drag (Windows) for Q adjustment
•Multi-Band Selection: Click and drag on empty curve area to draw selection box

Band Right-Click Menu

Right-click any control point to access:

Filter Types

Bell, High Shelf, Low Shelf (EQ and Dynamic EQ modes only)

Processing Modes

EQ, Orra Tube, Tape, Models, Dynamic EQ

Band Management

Reset Band, Delete Band

Snap to Note/Key

Musical note alignment for tonal EQ work

5. Band Processing Modes

Each of Orra EQ's 16 bands can operate in one of five processing modes. The curve visualization changes color: white for EQ, gold for saturation modes.

Mode 1: EQ (Traditional Equalization)

Transparent, surgical equalization with extended range and precision.

Parameters:

• Frequency: 10Hz to 22kHz
• Gain: -60dB to +30dB
• Q: 0.1 to 40.0
• Slope: 12/24/36/48 dB/oct

Use Cases:

• Corrective EQ (removing resonances)
• Tonal shaping
• Mastering EQ
• Surgical frequency removal

Mode 2: Orra Tube (Tube Saturation)

Musical tube saturation with dynamic response based on vintage tube preamp characteristics.

Parameters:

• Frequency: Center frequency for bandpass
• Drive: 0-100%
• Q: Bandwidth of effect
• Dynamic Saturation controls

Use Cases:

• Adding warmth to vocals (2-5kHz)
• Thickening bass (80-200Hz)
• Enhancing presence (3-8kHz)
• Analog character on drums

Mode 3: Tape Saturation

Authentic analog tape machine emulation with multiple formulations and speeds.

Tape Models:

• Studio Reference• Console Master• Multitrack Wide• Vintage Mono• Valve Preamp• Half-Inch Hi-Fi

Tape Speed Options:

• High (Fast) - Cleanest, most transparent
• Medium (Balanced) - Balanced vintage character
• Low (Vintage) - Maximum saturation and coloration

Mode 4: Models (10 Saturation Algorithms)

Professional saturation toolkit ranging from vintage hardware emulation to creative digital processing.

• Vintage Preamp• Power Tube• Transistor• Diode (Germanium)• Diode (Symmetric)• Wavefolder• Bit Crusher• British Console• VCA Console• Exciter

Mode 5: Dynamic EQ

Intelligent, frequency-selective dynamic processing that automatically reduces specific frequency ranges based on their level.

Parameters:

• Amount: 0-48dB max reduction
• Attack: 0.1-1000ms
• Release: 1-5000ms
• Threshold: -60dB to 0dB
• Ratio: 1.0:1 to 20:1

Use Cases:

• De-essing (7-9kHz)
• Taming harsh frequencies
• Controlling resonances
• Frequency-dependent compression

6. Advanced Features

Solo, Bypass, Delta, and Hide Curve

S - Solo Mode

Mutes all other bands so you can hear only what this band is doing to the whole signal. Perfect for identifying problem frequencies by sweeping with gain boost.

B - Bypass Mode

Disable this band while keeping it in the chain. Useful for A/B comparison.

D - Delta Mode

Hear ONLY what the band removes or adds. Extremely powerful for surgical resonance removal and verifying de-essing.

H - Hide Curve

Hides this band's curve visualization while still processing audio. Useful for decluttering the display.

Multi-Band Selection

•Click and drag on empty curve area to create selection box
•Drag any selected band to move all selected bands together
•Right-click selection for batch operations (filter type, mode, snap to key, reset, delete)

Snap to Note & Snap to Key

Align band frequencies to musical notes and keys for tonal, musical EQ adjustments.

Single Band: Snap to Note

Select one band, right-click, choose "Snap to Note", select any note (C through B).

Example: Band at 250Hz → Snap to A → Moves to 220Hz (A3)

Multiple Bands: Snap to Key

Select multiple bands, right-click, choose "Snap to Key", select scale and root note.

Scales: Major, Minor, Major Pentatonic, Minor Pentatonic

7. Presets & Snapshots

Preset System

Click the Preset button in the header to access the browser.

User

Vocal

Mastering

Creative

Corrective

Instruments

100-Snapshot History System

Orra EQ features a professional, non-destructive 100-snapshot history system.

•Almost all parameter changes create a snapshot automatically
•History stores last 100 snapshots (oldest removed when full, newest appear at bottom of list)
•Each snapshot shows timestamp and description of changes
•Click any snapshot to instantly restore that state

8. Metering & Analysis

Spectrum Analyzer

Analysis Types

• Linear FFT
• 1/3 Octave Bands
• Hybrid

Refresh Rates

• Slow (~15fps)
• Medium (~30fps)
• Fast (~45fps)
• Real-time (~60fps)

Input/Output Metering

•Input Meters: Shows signal level BEFORE any EQ processing (-60dB to 0dB)
•Output Meters: Shows signal level AFTER all processing (-60dB to 0dB)
•Gain Controls: -12dB to +12dB for both input and output

Professional Gain Staging

1.Set input gain so peaks are around -12dB
2.Apply EQ processing
3.Adjust output gain to match input level
4.Compare input and output meters to verify headroom

9. Licensing & Demo

Full License

• Perpetual license (pay once, use forever)
• 3 activations per license
• Includes all future 1.x updates
• Manage activations via License panel

Demo Version

• Full functionality for 14 days
• Can only be started once per machine
• Days remaining displayed in header
• No audio degradation during demo

License Validation

•Orra EQ validates license online periodically
•If offline for 7+ days, enters "Grace Period" (7 days offline use)
•Connect to internet within grace period to continue

10. Keyboard Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
Create EQ band	Double left-click on frequency graph
Create Orra Tube saturation band	Double right-click on frequency graph
Move band (freq + gain)	Click + Drag
Fine Q adjustment	Cmd + Drag (macOS) / Ctrl + Drag (Win)
Multi-select bands	Click + Drag (empty area)
Context menu	Right-Click
Fine knob adjustment	Cmd/Ctrl + Drag any knob
Reset knob to default	Double-click knob

11. Technical Specifications

Audio

• Processing: 32-bit floating point
• Sample Rates: 44.1kHz to 192kHz+
• Latency: Zero samples
• Dynamic Range: >120dB

EQ

• Bands: 16 fully parametric
• Frequency: 10Hz to 22kHz
• Gain: -60dB to +30dB
• Q Range: 0.1 to 40.0

Saturation

• 17 total algorithms
• 1 Orra Tube
• 6 Tape models
• 10 Saturate models

Analyzer

• FFT Size: 4096 samples
• Window: Blackman-Harris
• Resolution: 1024 display bins
• Refresh: 15-60+ fps

12. Troubleshooting

"Orra EQ not showing up in DAW"

• Rescan plugins in DAW preferences
• macOS: Check AU validation in Audio MIDI Setup
• Windows: Verify VST3 path is scanned
• Try: Restart DAW, restart computer

"License validation failed"

• Check internet connection
• Verify license key was entered correctly
• If offline >7 days, connect to internet
• Contact support if persistent

"Sound is distorting/clipping"

• Check input/output meters
• Reduce input gain if input is clipping
• Reduce overall EQ gain (multiple boosts add up)
• Verify gain structure in DAW

Still Need Help?

Our support team is here to assist you.

Email Support Visit FAQ

Document Version 1.0 • January 2026