Allen & Heath SQ5 48-channel digital mixer

Introducing the Allen & Heath SQ5 48-channel digital mixer

With the XCVI FPGA engine at its core, the SQ5 may be small but really packs a punch. Features such as the ultra-low latency (less that 0.7 milliseconds!), compact size and powerful audio capabilities make this mixer ideal for recording studios, corporate AV, and live sound. The 7" capacitive touch screen with rotary control; dedicated physical controls for frequently accessed parameters, and 8 assignable SoftKeys create a fast and efficient workflow.

Local inputs and outputs mean SQ works as a standalone desk, and the addition of the 96kHz USB interface allows quality recording and playback. Expansion is easy with the I/O port for options cards such as Dante and Waves. New to SQ, it also has an S-Link port so you can connect dSnake units, including the AR2412 and AR0804.

The SQ5 includes 16 onboard preamps, 16 channel faders, and 12 line outputs. It has 8 stereo multi-effects engines built in, and is also DEEP processing ready so you can fully customise your SQ with classic preamps and compressor models. For a slightly smaller mixer, check out Allen & Heath's SQ6.

A new standard in compact digital mixing

48 channel, 96kHz digital mixers for live sound, AV and installation. Powered by Allen & Heath’s revolutionary XCVI 96kHz FPGA engine, SQ is built for professionals in demanding live sound, recording and streaming applications. Delivering class-leading high-resolution audio with an ultra-low <0.7ms latency, SQ gives you unrivalled power and audio fidelity.

Superbly intuitive user interface

Channels and mixes can be dragged and dropped to any strip, with custom naming and colour coding on the displays, allowing you to build a mixing environment that works for you. Each strip features our patented Chromatic channel metering system, giving you at-a-glance level indication thanks to LEDs with variable brightness and colour. SQ’s dashboard is centred around a high-res 7” touchscreen, framed by an array of high-grip, illuminating encoders to create an intuitive, integrated blend of clear visual feedback and immediate, hands-on control. All SQ mixers feature SoftKeys which can be assigned to commonly used functions. The SQ-6 and SQ-7 also provide assignable Soft Rotaries for even more custom control.

Powerful processing

Every input has HPF, a super-fast gate with sidechain and filter, a musical 4-band parametric equaliser with RTA, and Peak/RMS compressor for control and shaping of levels and transients. Mixes have both a parametric and 28 band graphic EQ along with compressor as standard, all ready to switch in when required.

World-Class FX

SQ is armed with 8 stereo FX engines and comes complete with the acclaimed RackExtra library, featuring emulations of legendary classic reverbs, gated reverbs, delays, modulators and more. Every engine has its own dedicated stereo return too, so you don’t need to use up any of your 48 input channels.

Record. Stream. Mix

SQ’s built-in 32×32 96kHz audio interface enables easy multitrack recording, backing-track playback, livestreaming and virtual soundcheck. The interface is class-compliant on Mac OS X making it truly plug ‘n play, with ASIO and WDM compatible drivers available for Windows computers. You can even map the SQ’s faders, rotaries, channel keys and softkeys to control your favourite DAW using the Allen & Heath MIDI Control app.

Record to USB

The integrated SQ-Drive makes it quick and easy to capture and playback 16 channels (96kHz), 32 channels (48kHz), or a stereo recording of the performance direct to a USB key or drive. No software setup, no soundcard driver issues and no extra laptop to bring to the performance.

Automatic mic mixer

SQ’s advanced automatic mic mixers (AMM’s) make it a natural choice for mixing conferences, panel talks and TV shows. They’re fully integrated in the mixer too, with no extra latency, so you don’t need to route the audio to an internal DSP rack or an external plugin system. Two fully independent 24 channel AMM’s can be utilised for two zones or combined into a single 48 channel AMM for larger events.

Built to last designed for the pro

We know that the live environment can be tough on gear – so for SQ we devised our most punishing regime of testing and retesting yet. From its 3-tier, all metal chassis to its extruded aluminium light bar, SQ has tremendous strength and rigidity underlying its good looks.