Allen & Heath’s legendary digital mixer is reborn, supercharged with a 96kHz XCVI core for DEEP Processing capabilities, increased channel count with fully flexible patching across 4 customisable layers, a completely redesigned user interface, significant hardware upgrades, plus extended connectivity and optional Dante.
All new Qu mixers are built on a unified platform, providing 32 mono and 3 stereo channels, 12 mixes, 4 matrices, 6 FX engines, plus an SLink port for connection to the Everything I/O ecosystem of remote expanders.
3 Sizes
The new mixers come in three frame sizes. Qu-5 is 19" rack mountable with 17 motorised faders and 16 in / 12 out. Qu-6 provides a middle ground with 25 faders and 24 in / 16 out. Qu-7, the largest of the new range, offers 33 motorised faders and 32 in / 20 out.
6 Models
Each frame size has a Dante-enabled variant, providing a 16x16 Dante interface at 96kHz or 48kHz for integration into larger systems or installs. This ensures there is a Qu to fit every application.
The new Qu retains the much-loved appearance and form factor of the original series, but with multiple hardware improvements to elevate the sonic performance and mixing experience.
Exactly 10 years ago I bought a QU-16 and it’s still in use.
Thought of switching to SQ already for some years, but never made the step.
But now I’m definitely in for the new QU-5 , can’t wait !
Hmmmm interesting in a good way.
I can see a features that could migrate onto the SQ range in the future: Built-in Dante & feedback killer as starters for ten (I feel a couple of SQ feature requests coming on).
A lot to like in the new QU - particularly the addition of Matrices (4 Mono, linkable, which is plenty I would think for the typical targets for this mixer range), 8 DCA’s & 8 Mute Groups (double ‘old’ QU), SLink to bring it into the I/O family, and the Channel to All Mix key, which has been my best friend on SQ when using it for monitors.
I am mildly disappointed about the choice made with the Dante interface on the ‘D’ models - 16x16. This infers that the Dante Broadway chip was used (it is limited to 16 x 16 @ 48/96khz) instead of Brooklyn II. I can only guess this was a cost decision. Still, for the scenarios and locations where I would likely use the new QU consoles, 16 x 16 @ 48/96khz is likely sufficient.
I’ll likely be adding a couple of these into inventory when they become available.
ofc also a cost descision. its simply a nice feature to give some users the possibility to use a DT box and dante at all. and 16x16 is more than enough for the targeted market of the qu series. if you need more you can always upgrade to a bigger series.
seeing all those recycled parts from sq and the now completely unified plattform from qu to dlive is also customer-wise a smart and great decision from a&h. they don’t have to develop for multiple plattforms anymore, unified spare parts if you need service, unified i/o over the entire digital product range.
i hope we will get an optical (dark) overhaul for sq ui in future too.
But for the Future, it would be nice to have an QU 4 with only 8 Fader (+Master) and less Weight and Space.
For small Business Events with only 2 Handheld, 2 Headset, and 1 Stereo Input (my Daily work).
Something like the Yamaha DM3…
It means the audio from the FX has its own dedicated audio path available that doesn’t require the use of any of the other 12 user assignable busses. If you are using the FX as an insert this really doesn’t matter because you use the audio path of the channel/buss that it is inserted on. But if you are sending the output of the FX to the main mix instead of as an insert, it’s great not to have to use up any of the 12 user assignable busses for this functionality.
Not every console has this. The X32 for example has 16 busses, but if you need FX returns you have to use those user assignable busses leaving less for monitors, etc.
I’m excited to hear this mixer. I use the QU16 for recording every day and I like the sound of the preamps quite a bit.
The only problem I have is that there is nothing wrong with my QU16, it still works perfectly and sounds great. But I know the QU5 is in my future, soon I hope.
This is very good timing for me. I have had my QU16 for 10 years, which has been perfect the whole time, but for more gigs these days i hire SQ’s and need SQ functionality.
