# QU5 or SQ5 ? I’m a solo artist
**URL:** https://forums.allen-heath.com/t/qu5-or-sq5-i-m-a-solo-artist/30610
**Category:** Qu General Discussions
**Created:** [6 December 2025 06:05 UTC](https://forums.allen-heath.com/t/qu5-or-sq5-i-m-a-solo-artist/30610 "2025-12-06T06:05:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@peterzoetermeer](https://forums.allen-heath.com/u/peterzoetermeer)
#### Post date: [6 December 2025 06:05 UTC](https://forums.allen-heath.com/t/qu5-or-sq5-i-m-a-solo-artist/30610/1 "2025-12-06T06:05:55Z")
Hi everyone,
I’m a solo artist. I used an SQ-5 before, but now I work with a CQ12T for a very compact setup and I want to keep it. Still, I’d like a small mixer **with faders** for easier live control.
My setup is:
- 1 microphone
- stereo backing tracks
- 1 in-ear mix I’m looking at the **new QU-5** or maybe an SQ again.
Which one would you recommend for a simple solo setup like this?
Any advice is welcome!
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### Author:  [@mikec](https://forums.allen-heath.com/u/mikec)
#### Post date: [6 December 2025 21:32 UTC](https://forums.allen-heath.com/t/qu5-or-sq5-i-m-a-solo-artist/30610/2 "2025-12-06T21:32:04Z")
Well you can never have too much mixer!!!
For a solo act a 16 channel mixer would get to be a little large to bring to shows, keep in mind you would also need a case for it, the CQ12 you just carry in a bag.
There are some other digital mixers with faders in a smaller footprint that only have 9 faders on the surface but have 16 input channels on the surface.
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### Author:  [@giga](https://forums.allen-heath.com/u/giga)
#### Post date: [7 December 2025 10:10 UTC](https://forums.allen-heath.com/t/qu5-or-sq5-i-m-a-solo-artist/30610/3 "2025-12-07T10:10:25Z")
I’d take a look at the Flow. Way smaller and cheaper but still more than capable in your situation
Giga
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### Author:  [@peterzoetermeer](https://forums.allen-heath.com/u/peterzoetermeer)
#### Post date: [7 December 2025 10:34 UTC](https://forums.allen-heath.com/t/qu5-or-sq5-i-m-a-solo-artist/30610/4 "2025-12-07T10:34:09Z")
I have already the CQ , With a Axient and psm900, and a DPA D;Facto, but maybe want a SQ5 for the FX
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### Author:  [@DeltaWhiskeyBravo14](https://forums.allen-heath.com/u/DeltaWhiskeyBravo14)
#### Post date: [8 December 2025 23:49 UTC](https://forums.allen-heath.com/t/qu5-or-sq5-i-m-a-solo-artist/30610/5 "2025-12-08T23:49:11Z")
You could get along with either. The new guy Qu-5 is what I have for my Church FOH and Livestream. Very capable. With the ears it’s rack mountable.
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### Author:  [@Adrian](https://forums.allen-heath.com/u/Adrian)
#### Post date: [10 December 2025 11:55 UTC](https://forums.allen-heath.com/t/qu5-or-sq5-i-m-a-solo-artist/30610/6 "2025-12-10T11:55:30Z")
CQ and SQ are similar in terms of FX