Allen & Heath’s New SQ Compact, 96kHz Digital Mixing Powerhouse at NAMM

With their 96kHz XCVI FPGA engine, Allen & Heath’s new SQ Series Digital Mixers bring the high-resolution audio performance of the company’s highly acclaimed dLive Digital Mixing System to a compact, cost-effective, multi-application platform that’s both easy-to-use and highly customizable.

Jeff Hawley, Marketing Manager for Allen & Heath USA, commented, “Since its introduction in October, we’ve seen interest in SQ that is just off the charts and we’re excited to be featuring it at NAMM! We’ll have an active display in our booth so that FOH and monitor engineers can experience SQ features like the Chromatic channel metering system and the drag-and-drop ease of setting up a mix.”

Two models offer a choice of size and control configuration. The rack-mountable SQ-5 has 16 onboard preamps, 17 faders and 8 softkeys while the SQ-6 provides 24 preamps, 25 faders, 4 assignable rotary controls and 16 softkeys. Both models support up to 56 input channels via remote expanders and both feature a networking slot for optional Dante, Waves and other cards. An ecosystem of apps, remote expanders, networking cards and personal mixers multiplies SQ expansion and integration possibilities. The new SLink intelligent port allows connection to Allen & Heath’s 96kHz and 48kHz expanders and can link to another SQ mixer, a Qu Series mixer or a dLive system.

Live sound engineers can customize an SQ mixer’s workflow using a capacitive touchscreen, illuminated rotary controls, custom naming on fader strips and assignable softkeys. Houses of worship can use scenes and layers to configure the mixer for worship, broadcast and special events while simplifying setup for volunteers. Rental and production companies will find SQ mixers well suited to music festivals and touring artists and can use the integrated auto-mixer for corporate events and conferences.

With the built-in “SQ-Drive”, recording engineers can capture high resolution stereo and multitrack to a USB drive. In the studio, an SQ mixer can become a plug ‘n play, Core Audio or ASIO compliant, 32×32 96kHz audio interface, with MIDI and DAW control capabilities. To complement an SQ mixer’s built-in EQ, compression and effects, users can add Allen & Heath’s optional boutique plug-ins while the mixer’s DEEP processing architecture maintains <0.7ms latency.

Experience the SQ Series and other Allen & Heath digital mixing systems in Booth 11110, Hall A at NAMM. Attend Allen & Heath’s range of digital mixing classes at the concurrent “AES@NAMM Pro Sound Symposium”.