Hi there. For the new Qu-5, is it possible to use the USB connection for multitrack recording and channel inserts at the same time? I would like to use USB inserts to run pitch correction on vocals, but the limitations of the SD card size (32 GB) means I need to utilize USB for multi tracking the band. 16+ channels and a 3 hour show I’d imagine will fill up that card pretty fast.
thanks for the insight
Is that like a Waves SuperRack set up for pitch shifting? I haven’t tried that set up yet. Regards the SD card being 32 I/O (at 48k) and needing to use the USB-C interface instead… the USB-C only allows 32x32 (albeit at 96k if you want) as well, the same as the SD Card slot in which case I would go with Plan A, using SD Card for multitrack record and USB’s for external software plugins.
yeah I would do that no problem, but I’m afraid the a 32 GB size limit on the SD card means i will run out of room on the card if I am recording a significant number of channels for the duration of a 3 hour show.
and yes, looking to incorporate SuperRack Performer/WavesTune on select USB inserts
My gut feeling is that this should work. However it all comes down to how much flexibility the QU system allows with it’s routing. While I don’t have personal experience with the new QU consoles, I would hope that the system is flexible enough to allow for both scenarios.
Looking at it from a “high level view”, to multitrack record you want to send the audio out through your direct outs. For the FX plugins chain, you will want to use the “Insert” functionality on the channel you want to use the plugin on.
Specifically, you would use USB Direct outs 1-16 (or whatever your actual channel count is) to the computer to be multitrack recorded using the DAW software, and then you would use the remaining USB outs (USB 17-32) to send your channel inserts to the computer DAW tracks being used for FX plugins, and USB Inputs 17-32 to return the FX sound back to the channel insert.
For example, if you have 20 inputs you want to record, you will use USB Outputs 1-20 to send audio to DAW tracks 1-20 and you’ll set/arm those DAW tracks to record. That leaves you with 12 USB outputs (21-32) to send to DAW tracks 21-32 for plugin processing (via the individual channel Insert output). You will return the output of DAW tracks 21-32 through USB inputs 21-32 back into the individual channels (via the channel’s Insert input). Please note - DAW tracks 21-32 should not be set/armed to record because that will create digital feedback.
Hopefully that makes sense.
Finally, just keep in mind that using the USB interface for audio sends/returns is a very latent process. I would expect your total latency times being added through this process to be approaching 20ms. That is probably still OK for FOH or broadcast use, but it is probably over the usable threshold for the musician’s monitor mixes. You certainly want to use “zero latency” plugins because adding any additional total latency would quickly cause the latency to go past the usable threshold for even FOH use.
I will look to verify this approach on my QU-5 and report back! 
So……… I have finally got round to trying this. I did a simple test whereby I…….:
Outcome:
So yes it can work but not sure if there is a more optimal way to do it without having to use different channels to feed LP and return from LP.
Hope this helps even just a little!! 
Your issues stem from the fact that you are trying to use the same QU USB output for both recording and FX processing. If you are sending the direct out for the QU vocal channel 1 out via USB-1, this will prevent you from also using the vocal channel’s insert out with USB-1. Even if you could set the insert return to USB-1 on the vocal channel, the fact that the USB-1 output is a direct out means that the channel processing before the insert isn’t going to have an effect on the channel at all when it is returned to the console after LP processing via the USB-1 insert return.
This is why I suggested that you break up your USB outputs into two categories. First, all of the the direct outs for recordings. Second, you will use a different set of USB I/O for your FX processing.
So in your case, you will still use the direct out of the QU vocal channel 1 to record via USB-1. However you need to then use a different USB input and output for the vocal channel insert to send audio to LP for processing and return. Perhaps this will be USB 24. Use USB 24 output and input for the insert functionality on the vocal 1 channel. Just make sure you have set up LiveTrax to record vocal 1 via the USB 1 output and set up LP to use USB 24 in and out for the vocal 1 processing routing.
Have you tried a larger card, or just read that it wouldn’t work? I’m using a 64GB microSD in an adapter. Seems to be ok..
I would like to report back after getting the QU-5 in my hands:
you absolutely can patch channels to the USB/SD card output AND use different USB channels for inserts, allowing you to use SuperRack for processing - tho I will warn you, the latency is a lot. I dont know if I think it will work for pitch correct in my use case.
I was able to successfully format a larger, 128GB card on the console itself. 75 minutes of 32 channels @ 48kHz is about 20GB, and there will still be a recording limit of size per channel recording since the format type of the card only allows a max file size of 4gb. My individual channels came out to be about 640mbs, so you can do the math if you need to.
all in all, thank you for the input and hopefully this helps someone else too.
another update: I didn’t know I could run the Qu-5 at 96khz if my stagebox was only 48khz. I made this switch, did the same setup, and the latency running SuperRack was MUCH better. Much more usable. Very happy with this setup.
Just a small correction: The console always runs at 96 kHz – you can only change the USB sample rate.
But since others have already discussed this topic: It would be really interesting to know what additional latency you get in your case at 48 and 96 kHz.
You could also “measure” this without additional equipment by sending your signal generator with, for example, Pink Noise to two input channels, sending the first via a USB insert through your SuperRack (bypassed), and setting a delay on the second channel.
Now, when you mix the two together, you can adjust the delay until they are in phase again.
This way, you could determine the latency differences in ms or also samples.
Would be nice! )