Hello from Norway,
I am a new member and bought my first Allen & Heath Qu-6 console.
I would like to ask the forum for advice:
When using proper gain structure on inputs some inputs will often be too loud in FOH.
How do I adjust the fader position to unity gain without attenuating input gain? My goal is to have optimal input gain and mix at the highest possible fader resolution around unity gain.
I tried an experimental workaround with a matrix but lost function of the master fader (LR) on the console.
I made use of subgroups by attenuating the master level by 10 to 15dB to then move the overall inputs around unity gain.
It is not that important to have alle faders in a straight line on the console. But if you would have this as a goal how do you achieve it?
Happy mixing,
Andreas
If necessary, you could use the trim controls available in the input channels for this purpose.
Thank you for this suggestion! I tried this one and found out that the input level meter reading is visually decreasing when you trim the input signal.
Is there another way I don’t know about?
I remember mixing on a Soundcraft si Performer series you can use a mix (subgroup) with channel inputs in pre or post fader. There you send the amount of your volume per channel but still have your fader at a different position on your main mix. (workflow identical as using FX).
I would suggest double checking your processing chain to ensure that you aren’t adding gain somewhere in your processing - boosting EQ, adding too much “makeup gain” in a compressor, an insert or FX rack adding gain, etc, etc, etc.
If that all seems normal, then I would simply turn the preamp gain down (or digital trim on any digital sources) on the channel until you get your output where you want it with the fader at unity. Of course you should recheck your processing after doing this because you’ll likely need to adjust thresholds of gates and compressors, etc.
You could use a DCA(s) to adjust the volumes, but unless every channel needed the same amount of adjustment (all -10db for example), this would be a flawed solution that added more complexity than needed. A simple preamp gain/trim adjustment would be far more simple for users to keep track of.
Thank you for your suggestion sic0048!
There are usually just a few inputs which I find hard to deal with like DI’d acoustic guitars. My fader tends to sit around -15 to -20dB on the main mix depending on the music. Maybe it is just me and my workflow is weird.
The different compressors available might be adding to levels, such as their emulation of the 1176, LA2A especially. As these require you to push audio into a fixed threshold. If used they will likely be increasing output.
Hello!
No compression or eq applied. I gain the signal where green meets yellow. Thereafter I set levels on the main mix. The FOH will have decent volume in the room with LR fader on 0dB.
This works perfectly fine just that the channel faders are all over the place and I usually like to mix my shows with faders moving around -10 to +10dB.
OK understood. Per channel of plus or minus 10 from Unity is likely fine. But that’s my opinion.
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The question is, why do you want to see a loud signal but hear a quiet one? 
But you know, however, that you could position also your Matrix master anywhere in any fader bank.?
That would be identical to using Aux mixes, which you can send in parallel with your really Main LR to a Matrix = your “new Main LR”.
But I’m sure you’ve already considered that.
Unfortunately, the Main LR fader on your QU cannot be hidden or change.
I would have also recommended and favored the solution sic0048 already mentioned.
After all, you would have eight DCAs available and could therefore reduce the level of up to eight individual channel faders differently and hide the corresponding DCA faders somewhere.
Oh, it’s good to know that the “miracle” of letting the instruments shape the dynamics still exists occasionally! 
Hehe.
I am not that familiar with the technical part of input metering but you could overload the analog input without having a visual representation on the meter.
I have to look into that one "aux to master/matrix”. I think that I am still inexperienced with Allen & Heath and the possibilities and limitations. That is why I ask.
Putting on eq and compression by default is ok when the source asks for it I guess. 
Anyways, happy mixing 
Could it be that you didn’t understand proper gain structure?
The gain and trim will ensure that the signal matches the needs of the situation.
The console has a very high dynamic range, that will give a lot of confidence to change levels as you need it in the mix.
If the mix is too loud, turn it down.
No. Not on this kind of consoles. Peak LED is flashing if something in the signal chain is about -3dB from the full scale digital signal. And the metering is very fast. These are not VU meters.
I would say it is ok when the mix requires it.
Thank you for helping out so far.
I am going to adjust my workflow for now and use lower input gain at the the start when I don’t have to record the show.
Unfortunately, that’s not entirely true, as the Peak LED is also part of the meter, and the earliest possible measurement point, “Post-Preamp,” is located after the trim control.
Therefore, if you reduce the level using the trim control, it’s quite possible that the preamp will clip, but this won’t be indicated.
So, you must very carefully adjust the gains and ensure sufficient headroom before using the trim controls (if the DCAs option isn’t possible or desired).
