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Quick Start

From installer to a locked scene in under two minutes. Works the same in every DAW.

1. Install the plugins

v1 ships Windows VST3 only. The installer writes both plugins into the standard Windows system VST3 folder:

  • C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\QREL\QREL Nodes (Master).vst3
  • C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\QREL\QREL Nodes (Track).vst3

Open your DAW. If it doesn't see the plugins immediately, run its plugin re-scan — some hosts cache previous scan results and don't pick up new plugins automatically.

macOS (VST3 + AU) is on the v1.1 roadmap. Email [email protected] with subject “macOS waitlist” to be notified.

2. Insert the plugins

  1. Insert QREL Nodes (Track) on each channel you want included in the scene.
  2. Insert QREL Nodes (Master) once on the mix bus.
  3. Leave Scene Follow on by default. Turn it off only when you want a Track to keep sending telemetry while ignoring Master moves.
Tip: the two plugins find each other automatically over the local machine — no routing, no sidechain, no setup. You can verify by watching the Master's "Tracks" count increase as you add instances.

3. Let it build the scene

  1. Play the busiest section of the song (chorus, drop, peak verse). Sparse intros don't give QREL enough material.
  2. Watch the Master cycle through Auto Scene → Settling → Locked.
  3. Review the four views:
  • Scene — spatial map of every track in the mix.
  • Mask — where two tracks are fighting for the same band.
  • Mix Curve — overall spectral tilt vs the target contour.
  • Mix Audit — objective score of where the balance currently sits.

4. The 60-second demo flow

If you're showing QREL to someone for the first time:

  1. Start with the chorus or busiest section, not a sparse intro.
  2. Press play.
  3. Wait for Locked.
  4. Compare bypassed vs active — A/B with the Master's bypass.
  5. Open the Mask and Mix Audit views to explain why the balance changed.

5. Listening check

Once the scene locks on the busy section, validate it on a real arrangement change:

  1. Start playback from a sparse section.
  2. Play into the busiest section.
  3. Restart from the same bar.
  4. Confirm the scene reacts when the arrangement changes, then repeats the same result on restart.

What the labels mean

  • Measured — QREL is showing captured host or signal data.
  • Estimated — QREL is inferring a role, depth, or relationship from the current evidence.
  • Unknown — not enough valid data yet. Keep playback running.

Track-side controls you'll touch

  • Output Role — host-visible role override (Lead / Support / Bass / Drums / FX / Bus / Ignore). Auto follows QREL's estimate.
  • Scene Follow — follow Master scene targets, or hold neutral while still reporting telemetry to the Master.
  • Advanced EQ — manual six-band corrective stage with log frequency axis and precise per-band controls.

If the scene goes STALE

This means QREL detected the arrangement changed substantially and the baseline is no longer trustworthy. Two options:

  • Keep playback running — QREL revalidates automatically when it has enough new material.
  • RESET SCENE — force a fresh capture immediately. This is an advanced override; use it when you've genuinely restructured the arrangement.

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