Control production

Need multiple sources mixed and distributed for live PA, streaming, and recording production? Allen & Heath's SQ-5 digital mixer answers that call with a complete suite of audio processing tools that will create the blended sounds you like and send them where you want. It's also highly configurable, so you can create perfect-sounding productions in almost any situation. This SQ series mixer features illuminated color-coded input/output assignments and channel level metering, so you'll always be able to clearly see where your mixes are coming from and going to, and how they're doing along the way.

Hardware ins and outs

The SQ-5 features 16 XLR mic/line inputs and motorized channel faders but can actually handle up to 48 channels using Allen & Heath's SLink digital interface connections to other sources and processors. The 48-channel 96kHz digital processing uses Allen & Heath's proprietary field programmable gate array (FPGA) chips to deliver high-fidelity, low-latency audio suitable for recording, live streaming, and PA applications. The controls feature a 7" high-resolution touchscreen surrounded by illuminated knobs and buttons — pre-programmed encoders as well as programmable SoftKeys — for visual and hands-on monitoring and fine-tuning of assignments, mixes, effects, and tones. The SQ-5 has 12 XLR balanced line-level analog outputs for your PA and monitor system amplifiers to work with.

SQ-5 rear connection panel

Signal processing

Each channel has high-pass filtering, a noise gate/expander with filtered sidechain control, parametric EQ, peak/RMS compression, and a graphic RTA display. There are 8 onboard FX engines with access to Allen & Heath's RackExtra library of reverbs, delays, and other modulation effects to sweeten sounds and give them some emotional space.

Integrated USB interface

The SQ-5 has a built in 32x32 96kHz USB audio interface for digital input and output connections. The SQ-5's interface software is compatible for using as is with Macintosh iOS devices. For Windows users, there are ASIO and WDM compatible drivers available to adapt. You can use your SQ-5 to control a DAW using Allen & Heath MIDI Control app. You can also record and play back 16 channels of 96kHz-processed or 32 channels of 48kHz-processed programming direct to a USB drive with no extra software setup, driver, or laptop needed.