I am considering purchasing a QU Series mixer for a mix room using ProTools.
My question is can the mixer replaced the digi design 196 I/O module using the USB streaming interface AND can it also be configured as a control surface simultaneously?
Thanks in advance for any info.
Graham
Yes, with a couple of caveats.
Whereas the digidesign offers multiple clock rates and sync options, the Qu series are locked to 48kHz/24 bit, and can only be the clock master in the system. Whereas the digidesign can be daisy-chained to another to allow for more IO, the Qu cannot (largely because each Qu must be the clock master, and having multiple clock masters in the one system won’t go well.) Whereas the digidesign offers a variety of analogue and digital inputs and outputs, the Qu only offers analogue inputs (if you don’t count the USB returns,it doesn’t have AES in, SPDIF, ADAT etc,) and the only digital output is the stereo AES\EBU and USB.
If all you require is 16 analogue ins > USB (@48kHz,24-bit,) and 16 faders to control Protools, then yes it can replace a digidesign 196 IO module. If your intended application is more complicated, it might not.
Thanks. The mixer would not be used for recording only mix and outputs feeding the 7.4.1 monitoring system using the bus outs. I have a 196 but thought I would try this out as I need 12 outputs.
So do I have this correct - you actually want to use the Qu-16 as a monitoring mixer while controlling PT from it as well. Yes? Not as I/O. Eh?
That’s right.
May be the odd voice over to record but that’s it. This is a TV mix room.
Eh? 
I have used a QU solely for control of midi channels ITB and listening to through and occasinally other things.
Works well!