With the recent additions to the Allen & Heath lineup, specifically the Qu-7/7D expanding up to 38 inputs alongside automated tools, and the Avantis soundboard jumping up to 96 inputs, there is a noticeable operational gap between the mid-tier and upper-tier lines.
Right now, jumping from an SQ/SQ+ at 48 channels to an Avantis at 64-96 channels means stepping across a 16 to 48 channel chasm, literally doubling the input count. For production companies, sub-contractors, and mid-sized venues handling festivals, multi-piece bands, and corporate wireless events, 48 input channels and 12 stereo mixes frequently run out of room, yet an Avantis frame size and price point aren’t always feasible or necessary in my opinion.
With the SQ+ soundboard leveraging updated processing and the 96kHz XCVI engine, is a targeted upgrade for a future major release in the works? (e.g., V3.0):
64 Mono / Linkable Input Channels to Mix (+16 inputs)
16 Stereo Auxes / Groups (+4 mixes)
Why this would make sense for the A&H Ecosystem:
1. Puts Clear Space Between Qu, SQ+ and Avantis: A Qu at 38 inputs sits right on the heels of the SQ+ at 48 inputs. Moving the SQ+ to 64 inputs firmly restores a logical progression across the lineup.
2. Utilizes Native I/O Expansion: With SLink handling up to 128x128 channels and the Option Slot accepting 64x64 Dante/Waves cards, the SQ+ physical and digital I/O infrastructure is already fully capable of transporting 64 source channels into the console.
3. Serves the “Compact Production” Market: A 64-channel SQ+ would solidify it as the ultimate airline-friendly/compact powerhouse for touring IEM setups and mid-tier festival stages without cannibalizing the physical surface workflow of the Avantis.
Curious to hear the community’s and A&H team’s thoughts on this! Is 64 ch / 16 mixes the ideal sweet spot for the SQ+ series?