Allen & Heath SQ-5 48-Channel Digital Mixer

Description:

The Allen & Heath SQ-5 is a professional 48-channel digital mixer designed for live sound, touring, recording, streaming, AV, broadcast, events, and fixed installations. Built around Allen & Heath's 96kHz XCVI FPGA processing core, the SQ-5 delivers high-resolution audio, ultra-low latency, flexible routing, powerful processing, and extensive connectivity in a compact, rack-mountable format.

The SQ-5 features 17 motorized 100mm faders across six customizable layers, a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen, and 8 assignable SoftKeys. Its compact control surface provides intuitive hands-on control while allowing engineers to create customized channel layouts for different mixing applications.

Powerful 96kHz XCVI Processing

At the heart of the SQ-5 is Allen & Heath's 96kHz XCVI FPGA processing core, providing high-resolution digital audio processing and ultra-low latency for professional live sound and installation applications.

Every input channel includes a high-pass filter, gate with sidechain and filter, insert point, 4-band parametric EQ with RTA, and Peak/RMS compressor. Mixes include parametric EQ, 28-band graphic EQ, and compression.

17 Motorized Faders and 7-Inch Touchscreen

The SQ-5 provides 17 motorized 100mm faders arranged across six customizable layers. Channels and mixes can be assigned to different strips, allowing engineers to create a personalized mixing workflow.

The high-resolution 7-inch capacitive touchscreen provides access to routing, processing, metering, setup, and other mixer functions. Chromatic Channel Metering provides clear visual feedback of channel levels.

8 Stereo FX Engines and DEEP Processing

The SQ-5 includes 8 stereo FX engines with dedicated stereo returns. The RackExtra FX library provides reverbs, gated reverbs, delays, modulation effects, and other professional effects without consuming the 48 available input channels.

The mixer is also DEEP Processing ready, allowing compatible processing options from the Allen & Heath dLive ecosystem to run within the SQ platform.

32×32 USB Audio Interface

The built-in 32×32 USB audio interface operates at 96kHz and provides multichannel connectivity for recording, playback, livestreaming, virtual soundcheck, and production applications.

The USB interface is class-compliant on Mac systems, while ASIO and WDM drivers are available for Windows computers. The SQ-5 can also be used with the Allen & Heath MIDI Control application for DAW control.

SQ-Drive Direct USB Recording

The integrated SQ-Drive system allows direct recording and playback to a compatible USB drive. The SQ-5 can record up to 16 channels at 96kHz, 32 channels at 48kHz, or a stereo recording without requiring a computer.

Flexible SLink Connectivity

The SQ-5 features an SLink port for connecting compatible Allen & Heath remote I/O expanders and stage boxes. The system can be expanded to provide up to 48 microphone inputs using compatible Everything I/O products.

The I/O expansion slot supports optional audio networking cards for Dante, Waves, MADI, and additional SLink connectivity, providing flexibility for larger live sound, broadcast, installation, and recording systems.

Automatic Mic Mixing

The SQ-5 includes integrated Automatic Mic Mixing for applications such as conferences, panel discussions, meetings, and television production. Two independent 24-channel AMM systems can be used separately or combined for up to 48 channels.

Compact and Rack-Mountable Design

The SQ-5 combines professional digital mixing capabilities with a compact footprint. With the optional SQ-5-RK19 rack mounting kit, the console can be installed in a standard 19-inch rack, making it suitable for touring, mobile production, and permanent installations.

Professional Live Sound and Monitor Mixing

The SQ-5 provides 12 stereo mixes plus LR and 3 stereo Matrix mixes, making it suitable for FOH and monitor mixing. It is designed for touring productions, theaters, houses of worship, corporate events, broadcast, recording, AV, and fixed installations.

Allen & Heath SQ-5 Key Features

• 48 input channels
• 36-bus architecture
• 96kHz XCVI FPGA processing
• 17 × 100mm motorized faders
• 6 customizable fader layers
• 7-inch capacitive touchscreen
• 8 assignable SoftKeys
• 8 stereo FX engines
• DEEP Processing ready
• 12 stereo mixes + LR
• 3 stereo Matrix mixes
• 16+1 built-in mic preamps
• 2 stereo line inputs
• 12 XLR line outputs
• 2 TRS line outputs
• AES3 digital output
• SLink remote I/O and expansion
• Optional Dante, Waves, MADI and SLink expansion
• 32×32 96kHz USB audio interface
• SQ-Drive direct USB recording and playback
• Automatic Mic Mixing
• SQ MixPad remote mixing
• SQ4You personal mixing
• SQ Control app support
• Optional 19-inch rack mounting

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Allen & Heath SQ-5

What is the Allen & Heath SQ-5?

The Allen & Heath SQ-5 is a professional 48-channel digital mixer designed for live sound, touring, recording, streaming, AV, broadcast, events, and installations. It features 17 motorized faders, a 7-inch touchscreen, 96kHz XCVI processing, 8 stereo FX engines, and DEEP Processing support.

How many channels and faders does the Allen & Heath SQ-5 have?

The SQ-5 provides 48 input channels and features 17 100mm motorized faders across six customizable layers. It uses a 36-bus architecture for flexible routing and mixing.

Does the Allen & Heath SQ-5 support USB recording?

Yes. The SQ-5 includes a 32×32 USB audio interface for multitrack recording, playback, streaming, and virtual soundcheck. SQ-Drive also allows direct recording and playback to a compatible USB drive.

Does the Allen & Heath SQ-5 support Dante?

Yes. Dante connectivity is available through an optional expansion card. The SQ-5 also supports optional Waves, MADI, and SLink networking cards.

Can the Allen & Heath SQ-5 be rack mounted?

Yes. The SQ-5 can be installed in a standard 19-inch rack using the optional SQ-5-RK19 rack mounting kit. This makes it suitable for touring, mobile production, and permanent installations.

Is the Allen & Heath SQ-5 suitable for live sound?

Yes. The SQ-5 is designed for professional live sound and is suitable for FOH and monitor mixing, touring productions, theaters, corporate events, houses of worship, broadcast, recording, AV, and fixed installations.