Kiive Audio VX-Q Review: Classic British EQ Meets Creative Saturation

In December 2025, Kiive Audio released their new tone-shaping EQ plugin, VX-Q. Based on a rare British vintage EQ renowned for its clean characteristics and versatility, this plugin combines pristine EQ characteristics with various transformer saturation options, making it suitable for everything from delicate source work to aggressive tone shaping.

Key Features

Musical EQ Section

The VX-Q's EQ section focuses on enhancing the clarity of your original source. The four sweepable EQ bands provide both surgical precision and musical coloration.

The high-frequency shelf deserves special mention. Even a 10dB boost at 10kHz maintains smooth presence without the brittleness typical of digital EQs.

5 Saturation Modes

The true strength of VX-Q lies in its 5 unique transformer saturation modes:

Advanced Features

• THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) Control - Independent adjustment of odd/even harmonics
• Variance Knob - Introduces subtle L/R channel differences mimicking analog hardware tolerances
• Mid-Side Processing - Advanced stereo mixing techniques support
• 16x Oversampling - High-quality processing, ~1% CPU even at 2x

Practical Applications

🥁 Drums: Z mode + low boost adds weight and grit

🎤 Vocals: K mode thickens thin vocals, high shelf adds airy presence

🎚️ Mix Bus: M/S mode preserves transients while adding cohesion

Verdict

Kiive Audio VX-Q effectively combines surgical EQ and creative saturation. Rather than using it purely as an EQ or saturator, its true value emerges when both features work together.

At the introductory price of $39 (regular $69), it represents excellent value for producers seeking character. Especially recommended for those who want diverse tonal colors without multiple plugin instances.

Specifications

• Formats: VST3, AU, AAX
• Platforms: macOS, Windows
• Price: $39 (Intro) / $69 (Regular)
• Developer: Kiive Audio