Allen & Heath SQ5 48 Channel 96kHz Digital Mixer (16 Onboard PreAmps)

This is the original SQ-5, with a 7in touchscreen and 36 busses. The SQ5+ (9in touchscreen, RackUltra FX) is a separate, newer model.

Every mix has parametric and 28-band graphic EQ plus a compressor, and there are 12 stereo mixes, which suits in-ear monitor mixing. The SLink port connects Allen & Heath's Everything I/O expanders and stage boxes or the ME personal mixing system, and the I/O Port takes an optional Dante, Waves, MADI or SLink card. SQ-Drive records 16 channels at 96kHz (or 32 at 48kHz, or a stereo mix) straight to a USB drive, and the 32x32 USB audio interface covers multitrack recording, backing-track playback, livestreaming and virtual soundcheck.

The surface is built around a 7in capacitive touchscreen framed by illuminated encoders, with 16+1 motorised faders across 6 layers, 8 assignable SoftKeys and chromatic channel metering. Channels and mixes can be named, colour-coded and arranged by drag and drop. The SQ MixPad app (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS) gives wired or wireless control, and SQ4You lets up to 8 performers adjust their own monitor mixes from Android or iOS devices.

Specifications

• Processing: 96kHz XCVI FPGA core; latency under 0.7ms from a local mic input to the main LR
• Channels and busses: 48 input channels, 36 busses
• Mixes: 12 stereo mixes + LR, 3 stereo matrix
• Local inputs: 16 XLR mic/line preamps plus a dedicated talkback XLR, 2 stereo ¼in TRS line inputs, 1 stereo 3.5mm input
• Local outputs: 12 XLR plus 2 ¼in TRS line outputs, AES digital output, ¼in TRS headphone output
• Surface: 16+1 motorised faders, 6 layers, 7in capacitive touchscreen, 8 assignable SoftKeys, 16 backlit LCD channel displays
• FX and control: 8 stereo FX engines with dedicated returns (RackExtra library), 8 DCA groups, 8 mute groups, DEEP processing ready, 300 scene memories per show
• Expansion: SLink port (dSnake/ME, DX or GigaACE/GX protocol, up to 128x128); I/O Port for an optional 64x64 card (Dante, Waves, MADI or SLink)
• Recording: SQ-Drive to USB (16 channels at 96kHz, 32 channels at 48kHz, or stereo); 32x32 USB audio interface
• Network and MIDI: Ethernet port for remote control apps and MIDI; MIDI over USB or TCP/IP
• Power: 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz, 75W maximum
• Build: three-tier all-metal chassis, extruded aluminium light bar
• Dimensions: 440 x 514.9 x 198mm (W x D x H), desk mounted
• Weight: 10.5kg unpacked; 14kg packed (610 x 680 x 360mm box)
• Rack mounting: 19in, with the SQ-5-RK19 rack kit (12U)

A fitted, water-repellent Allen & Heath AP11332 polyester dust cover for the SQ-5 is listed separately.