Allen & Heath SQ-5+

Allen & Heath SQ-5+ – 48-channel digital mixer with 96 kHz XCVI core and 17 motorised faders

Allen & Heath SQ-5+ is a compact yet powerful 48-channel digital mixer for live sound, installation, touring, theatre, broadcast and professional production. With a 96 kHz XCVI core, ultra-low latency, 16 local mic/line inputs, 12 XLR outputs and extensive expansion options, it is built for engineers who need high sound quality, fast control and flexible routing.

SQ-5+ builds on the SQ-5 platform with increased processing power, a larger 9-inch touchscreen, a redesigned user interface and an updated carbon-on-graphite surface design. It also includes 4 RackUltra FX engines in addition to the 8 standard FX engines.

Overview and features

SQ-5+ is built around Allen & Heath’s 96 kHz XCVI mix engine, delivering phase-coherent mixing, high resolution and ultra-low latency. The mixer handles 48 input channels and offers Stereo Main LR, 12 mono/stereo group or aux mixes, 6 mono/linkable matrices, 4 FX sends and 4 RackUltra FX sends.

Local connectivity includes 16 XLR mic/line inputs, 3 stereo line inputs, 1 talkback input, 12 XLR outputs, 2 TRS outputs, AES3 digital output, headphone output, USB-A, USB-B and an SLink port for extensive I/O expansion.

96 kHz XCVI core

The internal XCVI core runs at 96 kHz and provides high audio quality with low latency. The system offers latency below 0.7 ms from local mic input to local Main L/R output with all processing enabled.

48 channels and flexible mix structure

SQ-5+ offers 48 input channels, Stereo Main LR, 12 group/aux mixes, 6 matrices and dedicated FX sends. This makes it suitable for everything from compact live productions to advanced monitor systems and installation environments.

9-inch touchscreen and 17 motorised faders

The large 9-inch capacitive touchscreen gives fast access to mixing, routing, effects and channel processing. The 17 motorised 100 mm faders and 6 customisable channel strip layers make it easy to manage large productions from a compact surface.

FX, RackUltra FX and DEEP processing

SQ-5+ features 8 standard RackFX engines with dedicated stereo returns plus 4 RackUltra FX engines with their own sends and returns. The mixer also supports DEEP channel processing for advanced preamps, expanders, compressors and GEQ models.

Specifications

• Type/category: Digital mixer
• Manufacturer: Allen & Heath
• Model: SQ-5+
• Mix engine: 96 kHz XCVI
• Input channels: 48
• Main mix: Stereo Main LR
• Group/aux mixes: 12 mono/stereo
• Matrices: 6 mono/linkable
• Local mic/line inputs: 16 x XLR
• Stereo line inputs: 3, 2 x TRS and 1 x 3.5 mm stereo jack
• Talkback input: 1 x XLR
• XLR outputs: 12
• TRS outputs: 2
• Digital output: AES3 stereo
• SLink: 128 x 128 intelligent SLink port
• FX engines: 8 RackFX engines
• RackUltra FX: 4 RackUltra FX engines
• Screen: 9" capacitive touchscreen, 1024 x 600
• Faders: 17 x 100 mm motorised faders
• Channel strip layers: 6 customisable layers
• Soft keys: 8 programmable buttons
• USB-A: SQ-Drive for stereo/multitrack recording, playback and data transfer
• USB-B: 32 x 32 audio interface for recording and playback
• Dynamic range: 112 dB
• Frequency response: +0/-0.5 dB, 20 Hz–20 kHz
• Latency: Below 0.7 ms
• Sample rate: 96 kHz
• Mains power: 100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz
• Max power consumption: 95 W
• Dimensions: 514.9 x 440 x 198 mm
• Weight: 11.2 kg
• Application: Live sound, touring, installation, theatre, broadcast, studio and professional mixing

FAQ