My band is playing a venue with the QU-16 and AB-168 stage box. I would like to record the isolated tracks (16) on my laptop using my laptop. As a back up, I would also like to record on my Ice-16. But I don’t see a way of doing that. Is there a way to record 16 tracks other than than USB to laptop? We only play once a year so I can’t mess this up!
I would start by connecting your computer to the console via the USB port and recording all of the individual sources by using a DAW on the computer (Reaper is a great choice). Of course you will need to route all of the individual sources out of the console via the USB output for this to work.
If you want to use the Ice-16 as a backup recorder, I think I would recommend that you use the analog outputs of the system (both local to the QU-16 and also the stage box if needed) as direct outs for the individual sources. You can take those analog outputs and feed them into the Ice-16 through the analog inputs on the unit. Because the console is outputting line level signals, you do not need any preamps between the console and the Ice-16.
This is a little more cumbersome to set up which is why I think the computer/DAW solution should be your primary recording method and only use the Ice-16 if you really feel the need for a completely independent backup recording solution.
Before the OP gets too excited:
As far as I know, there’s unfortunately no firmware version for the QU-16 that allows patching the 12 XLR outputs on the Surface; they’re always directly connected to the mix outputs, as they’re labeled.
And even the patchable Alt Outs don’t offer a Dir Out option.
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Wow! Sorry for the misinformation!
I’ve always used the higher console offerings from A&H and never the QU.
On the SQ’s you can patch the XLR outs to be analog direct channel outputs but not on the original QU’s.
On the QU’s you can send multi track to both the QU Drive and USB B output at the same time. If connecting a PC to record on you will need to download the driver so the PC sees the QU mixer as a sound source.
I am used to Yamaha boards that only record stereo to the usb A. Are you saying the the QU can record 16 tracks to a usb thumb drive or ssd? If so, please let me know which ones are known to work well.
There are “countless” articles here on the subject, and the gist of it is: there’s absolutely no guarantee of a working drive because their production parameters are constantly changing - so you’ll just have to try it yourself.
https://support.allen-heath.com/hc/en-gb/articles/4403612195729-General-Recommended-USB-Devices
Therefore, the following list will hardly be of any real help to anyone.
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Thank you for the response. Will start trying some drives.
These Qu discussions always worry me, as there are two versions of the Qu. They substantially upgraded the console hardware recently, so people should specify which generation they have. I’m assuming that the features have changed too.
But what should have been worded differently in this thread besides QU-16?
Reusing the same letters was not thought out by A&H, as it makes it impossible to search specifically for the old or new series using a search algorithm - neither here in the forum nor on the internet!
But here, exclusively one QU-16 is mentioned, which is never a New Next Level Reborn 2.0 QU-5675D6D7D, but clearly an Old Classic QU-162432SBPac.
Good news! The sound guy (kid) recorded the show successfully! I used a Samsung T5 ssd drive. Bad news: He only recorded a stereo channel of what was coming out of the PA. Kids I tell ya!