Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console

Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console

Introduction

Are you looking for a digital mixing console that offers overview, control and professional sound quality at all times, even for large productions, extensive channel plans and demanding live situations? The Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console has been designed to meet these requirements, combining a powerful 96 kHz audio engine with a generous user interface, flexible routing options and extensive local connectivity.

The Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console is aimed at sound engineers, event technicians, installation planners, churches, theaters, tour productions, conference centers, clubs, schools, studios and broadcast-oriented applications. This console comes into its own wherever many input signals need to be managed reliably, multiple monitor paths need to be operated, scenes need to be called up reliably and complex setups need to be adjusted quickly.

With 48 input processing channels, 44 busses, 33 motorized 100 mm faders, 16 freely assignable SoftKeys and 8 Soft Rotaries, the Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console offers a particularly convenient work surface. It is therefore ideal for users who not only rely on digital flexibility, but also want to have as many functions as possible directly under their fingers. This direct operability is a decisive advantage, especially in hectic live situations.

The 9-inch touchscreen, the dedicated control elements and the clearly structured fader layers ensure quick orientation. At the same time, the console offers modern functions such as multi-channel USB audio, digital expandability via SLink, optional I/O cards, professional effects, DEEP processing, automatic microphone mixing, scene management and remote control via app. The Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console is therefore a powerful centerpiece for professional audio environments.

Manufacturer

Allen & Heath is a well-known and established manufacturer of professional mixing consoles and audio solutions. The brand stands for practical operating concepts, high-quality workmanship and reliable signal processing in live, installation and studio applications. Many Allen & Heath mixing consoles are used worldwide in venues, churches, theaters, clubs, rental companies and production environments.

The Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console is part of the SQ platform and utilizes an advanced XCVI FPGA core with 96 kHz processing. This architecture was developed to provide very low latency, high fidelity and stable performance even for complex mixing tasks. In everyday practice, this means fast response, transparent signal routing and a precise mixing feel.

Another advantage of the Allen & Heath system world is its flexible expandability. The Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console can be connected to digital I/O extensions, ME series personal monitoring systems and supported Allen & Heath mixers via the SLink port. The additional I/O port also opens up the possibility of integrating optional cards for protocols such as Dante, Waves or MADI. This allows the console to be adapted to many different production and installation environments.

Technical details

The technical center of the Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console is the 96 kHz XCVI FPGA core. It works with a variable bit depth of up to 96 bits and enables a system latency of less than 0.7 ms. This extremely low latency is particularly important for live monitoring, in-ear applications, stage communication and situations where direct acoustic feedback is crucial.

The console processes 48 input signals and mixes them to 44 busses. A stereo main LR output, 12 mixes, 4 FX sends, 4 RackUltra FX sends and 6 mono or linkable matrix mixes are available. This makes the Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console suitable for front-of-house mixes, monitor routes, broadcast feeds, streaming mixes, zone sound reinforcement, recordings and complex signal distributions.

Operation is via a 9-inch capacitive touchscreen with associated menu buttons and a dedicated rotary control for touch-and-turn operation. All important settings for inputs, mixes, routing, system configuration and editing can be accessed and adjusted via this interface. In addition, there are physical controls that follow the selected channel and allow quick editing of important parameters.

A special feature of the Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console is its generous fader surface. With 33 motorized 100 mm faders, it offers significantly more direct access than smaller consoles. The faders are distributed over 6 individually usable layers. This allows input channels, mixes, FX sends, FX returns, DCA masters and MIDI functions to be clearly organized. Each fader strip has select, mute and PAFL buttons with indicators, a variable LED level display, a peak LED and a color-backlit LCD display.

The console provides 16 freely assignable SoftKeys with multi-colored LED illumination for quick operating sequences. These can be used for input mutes, mix mutes, DCA mutes, group mutes, tap tempo, scene control, MMC functions or SQ drive control, for example. In addition, the Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console has 8 freely assignable soft rotaries with backlit LCD displays and buttons. These rotary controls are particularly suitable for variable parameters such as processing values, routing levels or send levels.

The local connection equipment is designed for large productions. The Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console features 32 XLR mic/line inputs with fully storable, digitally controlled preamps. These preamps offer up to +60 dB gain, a switchable -20 dB pad function for line level signals and individually activatable 48 V phantom power. Since the number of local preamps corresponds to the number of faders, a simple, analog 1-to-1 working method can be implemented.

In addition, there is a fully patchable XLR connection for talkback, whose preamp specification corresponds to the other XLR inputs. Two stereo line inputs, each with two balanced 6.3 mm TRS jack sockets, extend the connection options for players, keyboards or other line sources. On the output side, 16 XLR outputs, 2 balanced TRS outputs and a professional AES3 stereo digital output via a 110-ohm XLR connection are available.

For monitoring, the Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console offers a powerful stereo headphone output via 6.3 mm TRS jack. This is equipped with its own level control and a dual 12-segment LED display. A PAFL submix function allows one or more signals to be monitored at different points in the signal path. This function makes it much easier to control individual channels, groups and mixes, especially for large productions.

The USB functions also make the console interesting for recording and playback applications. Standard USB storage media can be used via USB-A for firmware updates, data transfer and uncompressed stereo or multi-channel recording and playback. USB-B provides a class-compliant multi-channel audio interface in accordance with the USB 2.0 standard. The Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console thus enables bidirectional audio streaming and MIDI control between mixing console and computer.

The intelligent SLink port with lockable EtherCON connection provides access to up to 128 x 128 digital channels. It supports multiple Allen & Heath protocols and enables connection to Everything I/O extensions, ME Personal Mixing Systems and compatible Allen & Heath mixers. In addition, an optional card can be used via the I/O port to integrate the Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console into professional network audio environments with Dante, Waves or MADI.

The channel processing is comprehensive and professionally equipped. Each input channel offers polarity, trim, high-pass filter, gate or expander, insert point, parametric EQ, compressor, delay as well as pan or balance. In addition, each input channel can output a direct-out signal, including global tap point, follow options and independent level trimming. FX return channels have parametric EQ and pan or balance.

The mix channels of the Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console also offer full processing with insert point, graphic EQ, parametric EQ, compressor, delay and balance. All signal delays can be set in samples, milliseconds, meters or feet. For distance specifications, a temperature correction can be taken into account in order to incorporate the speed of sound in the air more accurately.

For effects, 8 multi-FX engines with their own stereo return channels and parametric EQ are available. In addition, the console offers 4 RackUltra FX engines that can execute powerful RackUltra FX algorithms. The effects can be used flexibly as a send/return, from a mix bus, directly from an input channel or as an insert in input and mix channels. Reverb, delay, modulation, dynamics and special effects can be used to suit the production in question.

The Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console also supports Allen & Heath DEEP Processing. These processing models can be inserted into channels without affecting latency or overall processing performance. For voice and conference applications, two 24-channel automatic microphone mixers are integrated, which can be combined into a 48-channel automatic microphone mixer if required. This is particularly useful for panel discussions, church services, meetings and presentations with many open microphones.

To organize larger setups, 8 DCA groups and 8 mute groups are available. A talkback function can be sent to any mixes and displays the status on the screen. Options for talkback latch and high-pass filter are also available. In addition, the console has a signal generator with sine, white noise, pink noise and bandpass signal. This can be sent to any mix with a variable level.

For recurring productions, the Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console offers 300 scene memories per show. These scenes can be named and managed with channel safes as well as global and scene-specific recall filters. This allows individual parameters to be specifically protected or deliberately included when changing scenes. Libraries for FX, processing, channels, user permissions and input patch facilitate the preparation and reuse of proven settings.

The console supports up to 10 configurable users with individual authorizations. This is particularly useful in installations with changing personnel or in environments where certain functions need to be protected. The Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console can regularly back up current settings and restore them after a restart. The integrated power supply accepts 100 to 240 V AC at 50/60 Hz, making it suitable for worldwide use.

Recommended purchase

The Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console is the right choice for anyone looking for a large, powerful yet compact digital mixing console with extensive local connectivity. With 32 XLR mic/line inputs, 16 XLR outputs and 33 motorized faders, it offers plenty of direct access and reduces the need for additional external hardware in many setups.

If you regularly manage larger bands, orchestras, theater productions, corporate events, church services, conferences or hybrid events, the Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console offers the flexibility you need. It enables detailed channel processing, fast scene changes, convenient monitor control, professional effects and reliable expandability via digital interfaces.

This console is also very attractive for installations. User rights, password protection, scene management, recall filters and app remote control make it a secure and customizable system for event rooms, multi-purpose halls, churches and educational institutions. At the same time, operation remains clear and practical thanks to fader layers, soft keys, soft rotaries and a touchscreen.

If you are looking for a digital mixing console that combines high audio quality, extensive control and modern connectivity, the Allen & Heath SQ-7+ Digital Mixer Console is a convincing choice. It offers professional performance for large tasks and remains flexible enough to adapt to different types of production.

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
• 4 RackUltra FX sends
• 6 mono or linkable matrix mixes
• 32 XLR mic/line inputs
• 2 stereo line inputs with 2 TRS connectors each
• 1 XLR talkback connector
• 16 XLR outputs
• 2 TRS outputs
• 1 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
• 128 x 128 channels when using a suitable SLink card
• Stereo headphone output
• 9-inch capacitive touchscreen
• 33 motorized 100 mm faders
• 6 customizable channel strip layers
• 16 freely assignable SoftKeys
• 8 freely assignable soft rotaries
• Configurable connection for single or dual footswitch
• Configurable chromatic channel meter LEDs
• IEC mains connection with worldwide power supply
• RJ45 network connection for control
• USB-A for stereo and multi-channel audio recording, playback and data transfer
• Stereo recording and playback at 48 or 96 kHz at 24 bit via USB-A
• 16 channels at 96 kHz and 24 bit via USB-A
• 32 channels at 48 kHz and 24 bit via USB-A
• USB-B audio interface for multi-channel recording and playback
• 32 x 32 channels at 48 or 96 kHz via USB-B
• 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 (5.41 MB)

Further links:

• Print View