Allen & Heath SQ-5+ Digital Mixer Console

Allen & Heath SQ-5+ Digital Mixer Console

Introduction

Are you looking for a compact, powerful and professionally equipped digital mixing console that is equally at home in live applications as it is in installations, studios, churches, theaters, conference rooms and demanding event productions? The Allen & Heath SQ-5+ Digital Mixer Console offers exactly this combination of modern 96 kHz processing, flexible signal routing, intuitive operation and high audio quality. It is aimed at users who require a reliable digital mixing solution without compromising on speed, clarity and extensive expansion options.

The Allen & Heath SQ-5+ Digital Mixer Console was developed for professional workflows where every second counts. Whether during a sound check, a live show or a permanently installed sound system: the user interface must respond quickly, be logically structured and allow direct access to important parameters. This is exactly where the mixing console comes into its own. A 9-inch capacitive touchscreen, motorized faders, freely assignable soft keys and dedicated control elements ensure that complex mixing tasks can be handled efficiently and safely.

With 48 input channels, 44 busses, 17 motorized 100 mm faders and an extremely low system latency of less than 0.7 ms, the Allen & Heath SQ-5+ Digital Mixer Console is a modern digital mixer solution for professional audio applications. It is particularly interesting for users who want a compact format but still expect high flexibility in routing, effects, scene storage, expansion and remote control.

Manufacturer

Allen & Heath has been an established manufacturer of professional audio technology for decades and is particularly well-known in the field of digital and analog mixing consoles. The brand stands for practical operating concepts, robust construction and powerful audio architecture. The SQ series was developed to provide professional sound quality and high processing power in a compact, versatile format.

The Allen & Heath SQ-5+ Digital Mixer Console is based on the powerful XCVI FPGA core, which enables signal processing at 96 kHz. This core is a central feature of the SQ platform and enables fast, precise and low-latency processing. For users, this means a direct mixing feel, high sound transparency and reliable performance, even for more complex productions.

Another advantage of the Allen & Heath system world is its extensive compatibility with digital expansion solutions. The Allen & Heath SQ-5+ Digital Mixer Console can be connected to suitable I/O expansions, personal monitoring systems and other supported mixing consoles via the SLink port. This makes the console suitable not only as a stand-alone device, but also as part of larger audio environments.

Technical details

At the heart of the Allen & Heath SQ-5+ Digital Mixer Console is the 96 kHz XCVI FPGA engine with variable bit depth up to 96 bits. This architecture enables particularly fast signal processing with a system latency of less than 0.7 ms. This low latency is a decisive advantage, especially for live applications, monitoring situations and precise stage sound.

The mixing console provides 48 input processing channels and mixes to a total of 44 busses. These include a stereo main LR output, 12 mixes, 4 FX sends, 4 RackUltra FX sends and 6 mono or linkable matrix mixes. This flexible bus structure makes the Allen & Heath SQ-5+ Digital Mixer Console extremely versatile, for example for front-of-house mixes, monitor paths, zone sound reinforcement, streaming mixes or recording setups.

It is operated via a 9-inch touchscreen with a capacitive surface. In conjunction with menu buttons and a dedicated rotary control for touch-and-turn operation, parameters can be selected quickly and adjusted precisely. In addition, physical controls are available for central editing functions. These follow the selected channel so that EQ, dynamics, routing and other parameters remain directly accessible.

The surface has 17 motorized 100 mm faders, which can be organized on 6 individually usable layers. Each fader strip has select, mute and PAFL buttons with status indicators, a variable LED level display, a peak LED and a color-backlit LCD display. This allows you to keep control of channels, mixes, effect paths, effect returns, DCA masters and MIDI controls even with extensive setups.

For good visibility in low light, faders and rotary controls are designed with a bright contrast. This is particularly advantageous for concerts, theater productions and dark technical areas. In addition, 8 freely assignable SoftKeys with multi-colored LED illumination can be used for frequently used functions. These include mutes, tap tempo, scene control, MMC functions and SQ-Drive operation.

The local connectivity of the Allen & Heath SQ-5+ Digital Mixer Console is designed for everyday professional use. There are 16 XLR mic/line inputs with fully storable, digitally controlled preamps. These offer up to +60 dB gain, a switchable -20 dB pad function and individually activatable 48 V phantom power. An additional XLR connection is provided as standard for talkback and corresponds to the other inputs in terms of its preamp specification.

The console also offers 2 stereo line inputs, each implemented via 2 balanced 6.3 mm TRS jack sockets. On the output side, 12 XLR outputs, 2 balanced TRS outputs and a professional AES3 stereo digital output via 110-ohm XLR are available. A powerful headphone output with separate level control and dual 12-segment LED display is integrated for monitoring.

The Allen & Heath SQ-5+ Digital Mixer Console offers extensive USB functions. Firmware updates, data transfers and stereo or multi-channel audio recording and playback can be realized via USB-A. USB-B provides a class-compliant audio interface in accordance with the USB 2.0 standard, which enables bidirectional multi-channel audio streaming and MIDI control between the mixing console and host computer. This means that the console can also be conveniently integrated into recording and DAW setups.

For digital expansions, the console has an intelligent SLink port with a lockable EtherCON connection. This enables access to up to 128 x 128 digital channels and supports several Allen & Heath protocols. This means that Everything I/O extensions, ME personal monitoring systems or compatible Allen & Heath mixers can be integrated. In addition, an I/O port is available for optional cards, such as Dante, Waves or MADI.

The channel processing of the Allen & Heath SQ-5+ Digital Mixer Console is comprehensive. Each input channel offers polarity, trim, high-pass filter, gate or expander, insert point, parametric EQ, compressor, delay as well as pan or balance. Direct outputs can be used with global tap point, follow options and independent level trim. Mix channels have an insert point, graphic EQ, parametric EQ, compressor, delay and balance.

For effects, there are 8 multi-FX engines with their own stereo return channels and parametric EQ. In addition, the Allen & Heath SQ-5+ Digital Mixer Console offers 4 RackUltra FX engines, which are designed for particularly powerful effect algorithms. The effect racks can be used as send/return configurations, fed from mix busses or input channels, or inserted directly into input and mix channels.

An important feature is the support of DEEP processing models, which can be inserted into channels without negatively affecting latency or overall processing performance. In addition, the mixer has 2 automatic microphone mixers with 24 channels each, which can be combined into a 48-channel automatic mic mixer if required. This is particularly useful for conferences, panel discussions, church services, panels and other speech-heavy applications.

For organization and workflow, the console offers 8 DCA groups, 8 mute groups, 300 scene memories per show, channel safes and global and scene-specific recall filters. This allows settings to be saved, recalled and protected against unintentional changes. Different user profiles with graduated rights also enable secure operation in environments where several people work with the system.

Recommended purchase

The Allen & Heath SQ-5+ Digital Mixer Console is a very good choice for anyone looking for a professional digital mixing console with a compact form factor and high performance. It is ideal for live sound, bands, rental companies, theaters, schools, churches, conferencing, fixed installations and production environments where sound quality, clarity and reliability are critical.

The combination of 96 kHz processing, low latency, motorized faders and flexible expandability is particularly impressive. Those who regularly manage different productions will benefit from the fast scene management, freely assignable layers, soft keys, user rights and the ability to save shows and libraries. This makes the Allen & Heath SQ-5+ Digital Mixer Console very easy to adapt to recurring workflows.

The operating concept is also attractive for users who want to switch from analog mixing consoles to a digital solution. The number of local preamps corresponds to the number of faders, which enables a simple, clear 1-to-1 working method. At the same time, modern digital functions such as multi-channel USB audio, digital stagebox connection, app control, RTA metering and extensive effects processing are available.

If you are looking for a mixing console that works reliably in everyday use as well as in demanding productions, the Allen & Heath SQ-5+ Digital Mixer Console is a convincing investment. It combines high-quality audio technology with a practical operating concept and offers sufficient reserves for growing requirements.

Features:

• 96 kHz XCVI core with variable bit depth up to 96 bits and less than 0.7 ms latency
• 48 input processing channels
• Stereo main LR output
• 12 mixes, usable as mono/stereo, aux or group
• 4 FX sends and 4 RackUltra FX sends
• 6 mono or linkable matrix mixes
• 16 XLR mic/line inputs
• 2 stereo line inputs with 2 TRS connectors each
• 1 XLR talkback connector
• 12 XLR outputs and 2 TRS outputs
• AES3 stereo digital output
• 128 x 128 SLink port for Everything I/O expansions and system connections
• 64 x 64 I/O port for optional cards
• Stereo headphone output
• 9-inch capacitive touchscreen
• 17 motorized 100 mm faders
• 6 customizable channel strip layers
• 8 freely assignable SoftKeys
• Configurable connection for single or dual footswitch
• Configurable chromatic channel meter LEDs
• IEC mains connection with worldwide power supply
• RJ45 network connection for control
• Optional rack mountable in 19-inch format
• USB-A for stereo and multi-channel audio recording, playback and data transfer
• USB-B audio interface for multi-channel recording and playback
• Input processing with trim, HPF, gate/expander, parametric EQ, compressor and channel delay
• Mix processing with graphic EQ, parametric EQ, compressor and channel delay
• Fully patchable insert points on all input and mix channels
• 8 multi-FX engines with dedicated stereo return channels and PEQ
• 4 RackUltra FX engines with dedicated stereo return channels and PEQ
• 2 automatic 24-channel microphone mixers or 1 automatic 48-channel microphone mixer
• 2 Real Time Analyzers
• 300 scene memories per show
• Channel safes as well as global and scene-specific recall filters
• Libraries for FX, processing, channels, user permissions and input patch
• 10 configurable users with authorizations to restrict operating access
• DAW control emulation via USB or TCP/IP
• Compatible with the ME Personal Monitoring series
• Remote control via free apps for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android

Specs:

• Type: Mixer
• Theme: PA and Sonication

Downloads:

• Booklet (3.72 MB)

Further links:

• Print View