Allen & Heath SQ-5 48-Channel / 36-Bus Digital Mixer with 16+1 Motorized Faders

Allen & Heath SQ-5 

The Allen & Heath SQ-5 is a 48-channel, 36-bus digital mixing console well suited for live sound, corporate A/V, recording studios, and houses of worship. The SQ-5 features 16+1 motorized faders and 16 professional-quality microphone preamps. There are also eight stereo FX engines with dedicated return channels and access to the RackExtra FX library. The mixer's 12 stereo outputs (configurable as groups or auxes) are well suited for in-ear-monitor setups, while the Auto Mic Mixing function offers quick and easy operation over multiple microphones for conferences, panel talks, and more.

At the heart of the SQ-5 lies the 96 kHz XCVI Core FPGA engine, which delivers professional, high-resolution audio quality, ultra-low latency (less than 0.7 ms), variable bit depth for precision and noise performance, mix coherency down to the sample, and the power to handle high channel / mix counts and ample FX processing. The SQ's DEEP processing architecture allows you to hand-pick boutique compressor and preamp emulations and embed them directly within the mixer's inputs and mix channels, all without adding system latency or setup hassles.

The front panel is centered around the mixer's 7" capacitive touchscreen and framed by an array of high-grip, illuminated encoders, which offer clear visual feedback and quick, hands-on control. You can drag-and-drop channels and mixes to any strip with custom naming and color coding on the strip display, allowing you to build a mix environment that mirrors your workflow. The SQ-5 offers softkeys, which can be freely assigned to any function for a customized and advanced workflow. The on-board recorder uses a USB Type-A port to record stereo and multitrack sessions to a flash drive. The recorder can also playback stereo and multitrack files, making it well suited for virtual sound checks and studio mixing.

The SQ-5 offers expansion options via Allen & Heath's stage box expanders, or install an optional Dante or Waves card to adapt and expand using the latest digital technologies. SQ is fully compatible with the ME Personal Mixing System, allowing performers to take control of their own monitor mixes. Any number of ME-1 and ME-500 personal mixers can be daisy-chained from the mixer's SLink port, or from a connected remote expander. The Allen & Heath SQ-5 ships with a power cord.

Allen & Heath SQ-5 Specs

Mixer

• Max I/O Capacity: 48x Input / 36x Output

• Number of Analog Input Channels: No

• Number of Mic Preamps: 16

• Number of Analog Output Channels: 14

• Mix Routing: 8x Stereo FX Return

• Groups: 8x Mute Group, 8x DCA Group

• Presets: Yes

• Display: 7" Touchscreen

• Faders & Level Adjustment: 17x 3.9" / 100 mm Fader

• Meters:

 – Main Meter: 2x 12-Segment LED

 – Channel Meter: Single LED

Signal Processing

• Gain/Trim Range:

 – Line: ±24 dB (Stereo Channels)

 – Line/Mic: 0 dB to +60 dB (in 1 dB Steps)

• Input Pad: -20 dB

• Input Polarity: Normal/Reverse

• Dynamic Processing:

 – Input Channels: Compressor, Gate

 – Master: Compressor, Limiter

• EQ (FX Returns): 4-Band Parametric

• EQ Parameters:

 – 1x HF Shelf: ±15 dB at 20 Hz to 20 kHz (Shelf or Bell Selectable)

 – 2x MF Notch/Peak: ±15 dB at 20 Hz to 20 kHz

 – 1x LF Shelf: ±15 dB at 20 Hz to 20 kHz (Shelf or Bell Selectable)

• Graphic EQ: 28-Band 1/3 Octave, ±12 dB (31 Hz to 16 kHz)

• Filters: High-Pass, 20 Hz to 2 kHz, 12 dB/Octave

• Solo/Mute: Mute, PFL per Input Channel, Bus, Master

• Built-In Effects:

 – Reverb

 – Stereo Delay (Tap)

 – Reverb (Gated)

 – ADT

 – 2x Chorus

 – Flanger

 – Phaser

• Audio Delay: Adjustable up to 682 ms

• Automatic Mic Mixing: Yes

Digital Audio

• Sample Rates: 96 kHz

 – AES3 Output: 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 kHz

 – Stereo Record: 96 kHz

 – Stereo Playback: 44.1 / 48 / 96 kHz

 – Multitrack Playback/Record: 96 kHz

• Bit Depth: Up to 96-Bit

 – Stereo Record: 24-Bit

 – Stereo Playback: 16 / 24-Bit

 – Multitrack Playback/Record: 24-Bit

Performance

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (+0/-0.5 dB)

• Max Input Level:

 – Mic/Line Input: +30 dBu

 – Aux Input: +22 dBu (+4 dBu) / +18 dBu (0 dBu)

• Analog Dynamic Range: 112 dB

• I/O Impedance:

 – 1/4", XLR Output: < 75 Ohms

 – AES3 Output: 110 Ohms

 – Aux Input: > 7 Kilohms

 – Line/Mic Input: > 5 Kilohms

• Noise Floor: -90 dBu (with Inputs Muted)

• THD+N:

 – 0.006% at Unity Gain

 – Mic/Line Input to AES3 Output: 0.002% at Unity Gain / 0.003% at +30 dB Gain

• Signal Generator: Sine, White, Pink, or Band-Pass Noise (Assignable to Any Mix)

Connectivity

• Analog Inputs:

 – 1x XLR Talkback Input

 – 16x XLR Balanced Mic/Line Input

 – 4x 1/4" TRS Balanced Aux Input (2 Stereo Pair, Half-Normalled)

 – 1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm Unbalanced Aux Input

• Analog Outputs:

 – 12x XLR Balanced Output

 – 2x 1/4" TRS Balanced Output

• Phantom Power: +48 V

• Digital I/O:

 – 1x RJ45 (Network)

 – 1x XLR AES3 Output

 – 1x etherCON (I/O)

• MIDI I/O: No

• USB I/O:

 – 1x USB-A 2.0 (External Memory)

 – 1x USB-B 2.0 (Audio Streaming)

• Expansion Ports: 1x I/O Card

• Wireless: No

• Mobile App Compatible: Yes (Android & iOS, SQ MixPad App)

 – Functionality: Access Stored Files, Adjust Settings, Firmware Update, Remote Control, Setup

Recording

• Max Multitrack Recording: 16 Tracks

• Media Support: USB Drive

• File Format Support: WAV

Compatibility

• OS Compatibility (Computer): Windows 10 (64-Bit), macOS 10.14 to 11 (64-Bit)

• Mobile Device Compatibility: Android Smartphone/Tablet, iPad, iPhone

Power

• Input Power: 100 to 240 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz

Physical

• Rack Mountable: Yes

• Operating Conditions: 32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C

• Dimensions: 17.3 x 20.3 x 7.8" / 43.9 x 51.6 x 19.8 cm

• Weight: 23.1 lb / 10.5 kg

Packaging Info

• Package Weight: 30.3 lb

• Box Dimensions (LxWxH): 27 x 24 x 14.5"

• Allen & Heath SQ-5 48-Channel / 36-Bus Digital Mixer with 16+1 Motorized Faders
• Power Cord
•  Limited 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty