Why is Allen/Heath building these features in this product, while they did not in SQ+ as this is the more professional product? I cannot think of any reason to do that… They could have build the perfect mixer with SQ+ and did not. But why?
Better features of Qu-3 in comparison to SQ+:
XLR and jack combo line inputs
Feedback Assistant
Gain Assistant
USB-C instead of USB-A
SD-Card slot
Why are you asking this in relation to an “SQ+” model that doesn’t even exist, rather than comparing the existing QU-567 consoles to the SQ567+?
Or would you expect A&H to launch an “SQ3+” that features and hardware in some respects superior to that of its larger variants?
Evidently, such features would have made an SQ+ model too expensive.
Thus, the integration of the RackUltra FX engine was more important than the opportunity to rid oneself of certain long-standing drawbacks.
With SQ+ I meant the whole class with SQ5+, SQ6+ and SQ7+. Most of these features are software based as Gain and Feedback Assistant. And doing XLR and jack combo line inputs instead of only XLR, USB-C instead of USB-A does not change the price point so much - maybe it is even cheaper those days as they are produced in mass. Adding a SD-card slot may take some money, but these 2-3 $ more wouldn’t have made the SQ+ line so much more expansive…
Actually, it has already been mentioned that if there is enough demand, they could include this software in the SQ+ series—but only if there is demand; otherwise, why bother? So, the thing to do is vote for it and wait.
The same applies to the Avantis; I was hoping for it to be included, but apparently, there isn’t enough demand—or at least that’s their take on it.
There was also talk about USB… in their view, the USB-B connector is more robust and secure than the thin, small USB-C.
Regarding SD card recording, I assume you mean the multitrack recording feature available in the new Qu series. This utilizes the USB-C data paths, recording whatever channels are routed (patched) toward the computer. While “tapping off” those signals might not be overly complex, it’s not as simple as just dropping in the hardware and having it work. Furthermore, SD card recording is considered a “consumer-grade” (or “commercial”) feature, and the SQ series was never intended to be a consumer-grade product.
For instance, that is also why there are no RCA inputs.