Allen & Heath SQ-5+ Digital Mixer for Live Sound and Recording

Allen & Heath SQ-5+ Digital Mixer for Live Sound and Recording

SQ5+

48 Channel / 44 Bus / 17 Fader Digital Mixer with Rack Ultra FX

Compact and rack-mountable, the SQ5+ puts the full feature set into the smallest frame in the range. 17 motorised faders, 8 assignable Soft Keys and 4 built-in Rack Ultra FX engines give you flagship-tier processing and comprehensive hands-on control. Add the 19” rack kit and it’s as at home in a fixed installation as it is on the road.

Mixing Has Never Been Easier

A Bigger, Bolder Interface

• SQ+ is centred around a responsive 9” touchscreen with an all-new dark GUI that is fast to navigate and easy to read in any mixing environment. Framed by high-grip illuminated encoders, it delivers an intuitive blend of visual feedback and hands-on control.

Drag-and-Drop Layout

• Channels and mixes can be dragged and dropped to any strip, with custom naming and colour coding on the displays, letting you build a mixing environment that works for you.

At-a-Glance Metering

• Each strip features our patented Chromatic channel metering system, giving you at-a-glance level indication down to -72dB thanks to LEDs with variable brightness and colour.

Accelerate Your Workflow

• All SQ+ mixers feature assignable Soft Keys for quick access to the functions you use the most. The SQ6+ and SQ7+ also include assignable Soft Rotaries for even more custom control.

World Class Processing & FX

Processing

All the Tools for the Perfect Mix

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

DEEP Processing

Latency Free Emulations

• SQ+ supports the latest generation of DEEP processing add-ons – models of classic analogue hardware embedded directly into your channel and mix strips, adding no latency, and available on every channel simultaneously.

Effects

Two FX Suites. Twelve FX Engines

• SQ+ is equipped with 8 RackExtra FX engines, each with its own dedicated stereo return, giving you access to the acclaimed RackExtra FX suite, featuring emulations of legendary reverbs, gated reverbs, delays, modulators and more.
• Four built-in RackUltra FX engines take SQ+ further, each with dedicated stereo sends and returns. First developed for the flagship dLive system, and proven on international tours, the RackUltra FX suite of add-ons brings premium reverbs, vocal tuning and pitch processors, distortion, saturation, and more to SQ+. The 4 engines can also run RackExtra FX for maximum flexibility.

Recording & Playback

Interface

Record. Stream. Mix

• SQ+’s built-in USB audio interface enables easy multitrack recording, backing-track playback, livestreaming, and virtual soundcheck at up to 32×32 channels at both 96kHz and 48kHz. Class compliant and compatible with Mac and Windows with ASIO and WDM drivers available. You can also map faders, rotaries, channel keys and SoftKeys to control your favourite DAW using the Allen & Heath MIDI Control app.

SQ-Drive

Capture. Playback. Virtual Soundcheck

• The integrated SQ-Drive makes it quick and easy to capture or playback 16 channels (96kHz), 32 channels (48kHz), or a simple stereo mix, direct to a USB drive. No need for a laptop or DAW – just press record.

Connectivity & Expansion

• SQ+ is designed to sit at the centre of whatever system you’re building, and to grow with it.

Everything I/O

• The 128×128 Intelligent SLink port opens up the entire Allen & Heath Everything I/O ecosystem, connecting seamlessly to a wide range of remote stage boxes, expanders, and other Allen & Heath consoles.

Audio Networking

• A dedicated I/O expansion slot supports optional cards for Dante, MADI, Waves and additional SLink connections, making SQ+ a natural fit for complex multi-format installs, FOH/monitor splits and broadcast setups.

Apps

SQ+ MixPad

• SQ+ MixPad gives you the freedom to mix from anywhere in the venue, even if that’s not physically close to the mixer’s location. The app is available for free on iOS, Android, Windows and macOS platforms.

AMM

Automatic Mic Mixing

• SQ+’s advanced Automatic Mic Mixers make it a natural choice for mixing conferences, panel discussions, and broadcast applications. Two independent 24 channel AMM’s can run simultaneously for two separate zones or combine into a single 48 channel AMM for larger events.

Built for the Real World

• The live environment is unforgiving, so SQ+ is built to take it.
• A robust all-metal chassis provides the strength and rigidity to handle the rigours of touring and installation alike, while the new carbon-on-graphite finish with black and white knobs and fader caps gives it a sharp, contemporary look that holds up under real-world use.

SQ5+ Features:

Audio and Processing:

• 96kHz XCVI Core
  
• 48x Inputs to Mix
  
• 12x Stereo Aux/Group Mixes + LR
  
• 6x Mono/Linkable Matrix
  
• Full Channel and Mix processing (HPF, PEQ/GEQ, Comp, Gate)
  
• DEEP Processing ready
  
• 8x Rack Extra FX Engines with dedicated send and return channels
  
• 4x RackUltra FX Engines with dedicated send and return channels

Digital I/O:

• 128×128 Intelligent SLink Port for Everything I/O expansion and connection to other A&H consoles
  
• 1x I/O Port for option cards (SLink, Dante, Waves and MADI cards available)
  
• 1x AES3 Stereo Digital Output Socket

USB Recording & Playback

• USB A: 16 Channels @ 96kHz
  
• USB A: 32 Channels @ 48kHz
  
• USB B Interface: 32×32 @ 96kHz
  
• USB B Interface: 32×32 @ 48kHz

Analogue I/O:

• 16x XLR Mic/Line Input Sockets
  
• 12x XLR Output Sockets
  
• 3x Stereo Line Input Sockets (4x TRS ¼” sockets, 1x 3.5mm TRS socket)
  
• 1x XLR Talkback Socket
  
• 2x TRS Output Sockets
  
• Stereo Headphone Output

Control:

• 17x 100mm Motorised Faders
  
• 8x SoftKeys
  
• 6x Channel Strip Layers
  
• 9” Touchscreen with dark GUI
  
• Configurable single/dual Footswitch Connection
  
• Remote control via free apps – Windows/MacOS/iOS/Android

Technical Specifications

Inputs

• Mic/Line Inputs Balanced XLR, fully recallable
  
• Input Sensitivity -60 to +0dBu
  
• Switchable Pad -20dB
  
• Analogue Gain 0dB to +60dB, 1dB steps
  
• Maximum Input Level +30dBu (With pad engaged)
  
• Input Impedance >4kΩ
  
• THD+N, Unity gain 0dB 0.0015% -96dB (20Hz-20kHz, AES Direct Out, @0dBu 1kHz)
  
• THD+N, Mid gain +30dB 0.003% -91dB (20Hz-20kHz, AES Direct Out, @-30dBu INPUT 1kHz)
  
• Phantom Power +48V (+3V / -2V)
  
• Stereo Line Inputs
  
• ST1, ST2 connectors Balanced, 1/4" TRS jack
  
• ST3 connector Unbalanced, stereo 3.5mm Mini Jack
  
• Input Sensitivity (ST1, ST2 / ST3) Nominal +4dBu / 0dBu
  
• Trim +/-24dB
  
• Maximum Input Level (ST1,ST2 / ST3) +22dBu / +18dBu
  
• Input Impedance >6kΩ

Outputs

• XLR Outputs Balanced, XLR
  
• Outputs A and B Balanced 1/4" TRS Jack
  
• Source Patchable
  
• Output Impedance <75Ω
  
• Nominal Output +4dBu = 0dB meter reading
  
• Maximum Output Level +22dBu
  
• Residual Output Noise -91dBu (muted, 20Hz-20kHz)
  
• AES Digital Output Balanced XLR 2 channel
  
• 96kHz sampling rate (Default with SRC Bypassed)
  
• Switchable output sample rates with SRC, 44.1kHz / 48kHz / 88.2kHz / 96kHz
  
• 2.5Vpp balanced terminated 110Ω

SLink

• Connection Neutrik EtherCON (RJ45)
  
• dSnake mode 40 input 20+40(ME) output channels, 48kHz
  
• DX mode 32 input 32 output channels, 96kHz
  
• GigaACE/GX 128 input 128 output channels, 96kHz
  
• Inputs Fully Patchable
  
• Outputs Fully Patchable
  
• Sync/SRC Assignable as audio clock source, 48kHz<>96kHz SRC

I/O Port

• Multi-channel I/O option module
  
• Inputs Fully Patchable
  
• Outputs Fully Patchable
  
• Sync/SRC Assignable as audio clock source, SRC on option card

USB Audio

• SQ-Drive USB-A
  
• Stereo Record 2 channel, WAV, 96kHz, 24-bit, source fully patchable
  
• Stereo Playback 1/2 channel, WAV, 44.1, 48, 96kHz 16,24-bit, source fully patchable
  
• Multitrack Record 1-16 channel 96kHz, 1-32 channel 48kHz, 24-bit, WAV, fully patchable
  
• Multitrack Playback 1-16 channel 96kHz, 1-32 channel 48kHz, 24-bit, WAV, fully patchable
  
• USB Audio Streaming USB-B, Core Audio compliant, ASIO/WDM for Windows
  
• Send (upstream) 32 channel, 48/96kHz, 24-bit
  
• Return (downstream) 32 channel, 48/96kHz, 24-bit

Control

• Faders 100mm motorised
  
• Touch Screen 9" Capacitive, 1024 x 600 resolution, 24 bit RGB
  
• SoftKeys 8 (SQ5+), 16 (SQ6+, SQ7+)
  
• SoftRotarys 4 (SQ6+), 8 (SQ7+)
  
• Mute Groups / DCA Groups 8 / 8
  
• Network TCP/IP Ethernet for Control and MIDI
  
• MIDI TCP/IP and USB-B
  
• Footswitch Single or Dual, Momentary or Latching

System

• Measured balanced XLR in to XLR out, 0dB gain, 0dBu input
  
• Dynamic Range 112 dB
  
• Frequency Response +0/-0.5dB 20Hz to 20kHz
  
• Headroom +18dB
  
• Internal operating Level 0dBu
  
• THD+N, Mic/Line routed to Main L/R Unity gain faders@0dB, 0.002%, -93dB (20 - 20kHz)
  
• dBFS Alignment +18dBu = 0dBFS (+22dBu at XLR output)
  
• Meter Calibration 0dB meter = -18dBFS (+4dBu at XLR out)
  
• Main Meter Type 2 x 12 segment, fast (peak) response
  
• Channel Meter Type Chromatic Channel Metering, fully programmable colour/brightness
  
• Peak Indication -3dBFS (+19dBu at XLR out), multi-point sensing
  
• Sampling Rate 96kHz
  
• Bit Depth Uses XCVI core custom bit widths in algorithms, up to 96bits
  
• Latency <0.7mS, Local Mic Input to Main L/R Local Output, all processing switched in
  
• Operating Temperature Range 0 deg C to 40 deg C (32 deg F to 104 deg F)
  
• Mains Power 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz
  
• Max Power Consumption
  
• (SQ5+ / SQ6+ / SQ7+) 95W / 105W / 135W

Input Processing

• Source
• CH1-48 Fully patchable
  
• USB Global Source SQ-Drive or USB-B Streaming (Auto Switching)
  
• Polarity Normal/Invert
  
• Trim -24 to +24dB
  
• High Pass Filter 12/18/24dB per octave 20Hz – 2kHz
  
• Insert (Pre EQ/Comp) Fully Patchable
  
• Delay Up to 341ms
  
• Gate/Expander Patchable Sidechain
  
• Sidechain filter Hi-pass (20-5k), band-pass (120-10k), Lo-pass (120-20k), Q=1
  
• Threshold / Depth -72dBu to +18dBu / 0 to 60dB
  
• Attack / Hold / Release 50µs to 300ms / 10ms to 5s / 10ms to 1s
  
• Expander Ratio 1:1 to 1:20
  
• PEQ 4-Band fully parametric, 20-20kHz, +/-15dB
  
• Band 1, Band 4 Selectable Shelving (Baxandall), Bell, HPF/LPF 12dB/octave
  
• Band 2, Band 3 Bell
  
• Bell Width Variable Q, 1.5 to 1/9th octave
  
• Compressor Patchable Sidechain, DEEP options
  
• Sidechain filter Hi-pass (20-5k), band-pass (120-10k), Lo-pass (120-20k), Q=1
  
• Threshold / Ratio -46dBu to +18dBu / 1:1 to infinity
  
• Attack / Release 30µs to 300ms / 50ms to 2s
  
• Knee Soft/Hard
  
• Detector response Peak/RMS switchable
  
• Parallel Path Compression dry/wet -inf to 0dB
• Channel Direct Out Follow Fader / Mute / Mute Group / DCA (global option)
  
• Source select Post Preamp, Post HPF, Post Gate, Post Insert Return, Post PEQ, Post Compressor,Post Delay
  
• trim -inf to +10dB per channel

Mix Processing

• Insert (Pre EQ/Comp) Fully Patchable
  
• Delay Up to 682ms
  
• GEQ 28 bands 31Hz-16kHz, +/-12dB Gain, Constant 1/3 oct, DEEP options
  
• PEQ As Input PEQ
  
• Compressor As Input Compressor

FX

• Rack FX Engines 8 x RackFX engine, Send>Return or Inserted (4 dedicated FX sends)
  
• Types SMR Reverb, Stereo Tap Delay, Gated Reverb, ADT, Blue Chorus, Symphonic Chorus,
  
• Flanger, Phaser (Plus optional Rack FX Add-Ons)
  
• 8 dedicated Stereo FX returns Fader, Pan, Mute, Routing to Mix/LR, 4-Band PEQ
  
• RackUltra FX Engines 4 x RackFX engine, Send>Return or Inserted (4 dedicated FX sends)
  
• Types SMR Reverb, Stereo Tap Delay, Gated Reverb, ADT, Blue Chorus, Symphonic Chorus,
  
• Flanger, Phaser (Plus optional Rack FX and RackUltra FX Add-Ons)
  
• 4 dedicated Stereo FX returns Fader, Pan, Mute, Routing to Mix/LR, 4-Band PEQ

Audio Tools

• PAFL PFL or stereo in-place AFL, 0 to -24dB Trim, PAFL Delay Up to 682ms, External Input Option
  
• Talkback Dedicated input, Assignable to any mix, Gain, Pad, 48V, 12dB/oct HPF
  
• Signal Generator Assignable to any input or mix, Sine/White/Pink/Bandpass Noise
  
• Metering RTA 2x 31-Band 1/3 octave (Stereo) or 61-Band 1/6 octave (Mono) 20-20kHz.
  
• Channel RTA PAFL/Selected Channel or Fixed Source

AMMs

• Configuration 2x 24ch or 1x 48ch, freely assignable
  
• Type Gain Sharing
  
• Sidechain Filter HPF / LPF 12dB/octave 20Hz – 5kHz / 120Hz - 20kHz
  
• Priority -15dB to +15dB per channel

Add-Ons

• DEEP Preamps Tube Stage
  
• DEEP Expanders Source Expander, Dual Threshold Expander
  
• DEEP Compressors Opto, 16T, 16VU, PeakLimiter76, Mighty, OptTronik, Bus, CompStortion
  
• DEEP GEQ's Proportional-Q, DiGi-GEQ, Hybrid
  
• RackFX units De-Esser, DynEQ4, MultiBD3, MultiBD4, Bucket Brigade, Echo, Hypabass
  
• RackUltra FX Spaces Reverb, Plate Reverb, Vocal Tuner, Vocal Gridder, Vocal Shifter, Dual Autokey
  
• Harmoniser, Quad Harmoniser, Amp+Cab Distortion, Saturator

Dimensions & Weights

• SQ5+
  
• Unit only 514.9mm x 440mm x 198mm (20.3" x 17.3" x 7.8")
  
• Packed in shipping box 605mm x 702xx x 353mm (23.8" x 27.6" x 13.9")
  
• Unit weight 11.2kg (24.7lbs)
  
• Packed weight 14.9kg (32.8lbs)