This is the start of a new thread, [ a bit like a library] hopefully helping others and giving tips on setting up CUSTOM LAYER on the QU series, both simple and more complex.
Newbies welcome!
I’m interested in the different ways operators use the Custom layer.
Look forward to all comments.
cheers.
Thanks dhak,
I will begin with my favorite way to use the custom layer…
So many times throughout the gig, I want to change the volume of the delay that is commonly used with vocals and some brass instruments. I don’t like having to constantly switch to the second layer to get to the delay fader (efx return) so I set up the custom layer with the delay in one of the channels that is not used from the stage.
On a slightly different topic, I have two mute groups that are named VERB and another one named DELAY. When either of these mutes is pressed, the input to the effect is muted, allowing the tail of the reverb and or delay to finish and not get chopped off.
I love that Allen & Heath went to the effort to give us Qusers a “custom” layer, how cool is that?
Great dpdan.
Thanks for getting this going.
I set up with bands [now] a similar setup.
When I first got the QU I was petrified about flipping layers!
That whole idea about layers was just not how I thought about using mixers. And of course I had to carry on with my jobs so I thought gosh … how am I going to handle this?
So my real first “paying job” in a small theater I did this to a mixer.
I have been so used to scanning large desks with my eyes … however I’m now getting used to fader flip.
I do two main things:
- bring only one of any stereo instrument (keys etc) to the custom layer
- use a DCA for ‘larger’ instruments (like a drum kit)
That then allows me to shift those all to the left and bring in FX returns and/or stereo inputs, DCAs etc.
Allows almost everything to do with live mixing on the one (custom) layer.
It also allows me to swap the order of faders, if two vocalists change positions (my OCD self requires faders to be in the same order as artists on stage, for instrument types at any rate, particularly for vocalists)
YES Ditto! OCD
Nothing worse than mics set up backwards because a new guy has set the stage and the show is about to roll! !@#$%^&*& argh! cringe!
my OCD self requires faders to be in the same order as artists on stage
So would you swap channels in the middle of a performance?
I guess if the channels are right next to each other, then between songs you could?
I mean, you have to scroll through? Unless you can copy paste? I haven’t tried that in Custom layer?
I just assign them in the custom layer, performers tend not to swap places on stage.
@dhak I always try to label above the faders, then I can still see the labels whilst I am mixing.
I like the different colour faders though 
In a church with a range of skill levels and needs, from simple speech to a full band with monitors, I concentrated first on making it as easy and foolproof as possible for the basic users, who get access only to their custom layer.
To make room for 4 DCAs (and FX returns) on the custom layer scene for standard users, the drum parts (and the recording/ambient mic) are only accessible from the inputs layer. Things are otherwise in the same place on each layer, to avoid labeling confusion, and the labels are repeated on the AB168 stage boxes. Standard users can do most setup and mixing on the custom layer as well, resorting to the inputs layer only for the drums setup, and to the mix layers for setting up monitors. There seems to be no need to access the aux inputs and outputs layer.
sorry, silly question.
How do you plug in two lamps in your QU24?
Greetings from Germany
You don’t, but the 32 has two lamp ports.
oh shit.
It’s an 32 in the Picture. Sorry
I had to double check
The mixer’s Custom Layer is not on the Qu-Pad
The Qu-Pad should have an option to exactly mirror the mixer’s custom layer.
Also,
The Qu-Pad Custom layers are only 8 wide (16 is preferred)
The QuPad layers are as wide as you like (well, not quite, here is a limit)
Just scroll sideways…
You are right…even in demo mode.
Why did I not see that? 
Thanks
Im using the custom ;layer as we do to maintain one layer surface on QU32
However I have lost 6 channel strips. Fair enough!
I thought ahhh.
I’ll get just reprogram the system to get the ST1 2 and 3 maybe to come down the line.
ahha na… cant do that. There is no provision to do that and besides, then I am getting away from the “one layer mind set”
So I have ended up with 26 mic channels
ahhh “analogue snake into ST1 & 2” (yes I said those words! ANALOGUE SNAKE)
This is just ‘in case scenario’ for maybe keys or something…
Can not phantom power ST1 & 2 . Damn!
So I though ok for house music I’ll play my mac back through USB streaming into ST3. Easy as…
ahha Na cant do that.
There is no way of assigning output into USB B streaming
Or have I missed something there?
And to think people/punters… event coordinators think we just turn up and …
OUTPUT → USB B is fine, assuming you aren’t also using the Qu Drive.
Bottom of page 59 in the manual - most things are available for USB patching.
Dhak is asking for the opposite direction, feeding the ST channels from host via USB B to have all 32 mic channels available in parallel. But that obviously would require to stream 32+6 channels via USB.
“There is no way of assigning output into USB B streaming”
That’s what threw me
I wonder if we could retain the “one input per channel” concept, but enhance the overall flexibility by having a “DSnake/USB inputs start at:” option - allowing a small DSnake to be used on the higher numbered channels (and over ST channels).
Dsnake/USB would either be silent or disabled on the lowest channels preamps…
…or ST could be sourced from highest USB B streams in parallel to the channels, so, on the Qu32 for example, streams 31/32 would also feed ST3, if switched to USB…
Phew, …global start offset…, not sure if I’d like that idea…