Using SQ6 as an audio interface to DAW

SQ SQ General Discussions
1

Greetings All,
I have an issue with monitoring on my SQ6, which I’m using as my audio interface for my Nuendo DAW. I’m hoping that one of you can explain why there’s such a drastic difference in monitoring between my stereo and my 7.1.4 immersive array.

Here are the particulars (No, I’m not shouting The caps are to differentiate the brief from my commentary).

ALLEN & HEATH SQ6 SOURCE ROUTING ISSUE

  1. SINGLE USB CONNECTION FROM SQ6 TO PC WIN. 10 64 bit

  2. DESK MODE = PC DESKTOP AND APPS CONNECTED IN I/Os 1 – 8 (16 – 32 UNAVAILABLE FOR SOME UNKOWN REASON)

  3. DAW MODE = SQ6 CONNECTED 1 TO 1 WITH NUENDO I/Os 1 – 32.

  4. THERE ARE 2 MONITORING LAYOUTS:

    a) DESK MODE: DESKTOP TO STEREO MONITORS FROM SQ6 MAIN OUTS

    b) DAW MODE: DAW TO 7.1.4 MONITORS FROM SQ6 DIRECT OUTS

ISSUE DESCRIPTION:

  1. IN DESK MODE, THE SQ6 FADERS WILL CONTROL THE VOLUME OF ANY INCOMING SOURCE VIA FADERS 1 – 8. I ASSUME THAT IF THE OTHER 24 I/Os WERE AVAILABLE, ALL 32 FADERS WOULD WORK AS WELL. HOWEVER IN DAW MODE, NONE OF THE FADERS WORK! VOLUME MUST BE CONTROLLED AT THE SOURCE!! OTHERWISE THE SOURCE COMES OUT AT A FULL EAR SHATTERING, SPEAKER EXPLODING BLAST!

  2. IN DAW MODE, NONE OF THE 32 SQ FADERS WORK. All VOLUME IS CONTROLLED FROM THE NUENDO FADERS.

QUESTIONS:

  1. WHY WILL THE SQ6 FADERS CONTROL THE VOLUME IN DESK MODE BUT NOT DAW MODE. THE I/O ROUTING IS IDENTICAL EXCEPT FOR THE ACCESS TO ALL 32 I/Os IN DAW MODE.

I suspect that the issue lies between the Direct Outs and the Main Outs. Since outputs 1 - 8 come up on faders 1 - 8 and go out the master stereo out bus, the faders will engage. But if the signal coming from the PC is going to the Direct Outs, those ports appear to have no volume control and the volume must be controlled from the source?

The ONLY other time I’ve seen this issue between 2 digital devices exchanging data was when I transferred mixes from my old Roland VS recorders printing to my Tascam DA-20 recorder. Which ever side was recording required the playback side to control the volume output. Is there a volume control difference between the direct and main outs? What other factors could cause this control, or lack of it with the faders/volume?

Thanks

2

In order for the SQ to function as a workstation for your DAW, you have to set Midi Control correctly, setup Midi faders, and assign those Midi faders to your layers. None of this happens automatically because every situation is different. Please refer to pages 116-117 in the firmware reference manual for more information.

3

Thanks so much for your reply. But I’m not trying to use the SQ6 as a MIDI Controller. I’m only using it as an audio interface to send the 32 I/Os via the USB B connection.

The faders not working are not the issue. They’re the symptom. I’m saying that they do not control the volume when in DAW mode. The volume is controlled from the source, which in this case is Nuendo. My Controller handles that function fine.

My issue is the lack of volume control when I switch between monitors. Desk mode, which feeds the stereo monitors, allows the faders to control the volume on faders 1 - 8. But DAW mode, which feeds the 7.1.4 array has no control. The volume is wide open on the SQ and the volume can only be controlled from Nuendo.

I want to know why this is.

4

How are your routing audio to the USB outputs? Are you using Tie Lines or Direct Outs? If you want the faders to control the audio levels going to the DAW, you need to use Direct Outs with the “follow fader” option selected (page 46 of reference manual).

5

I’m using the direct outs.

24 Mic/Lines in for mics and instruments feed the 1st 24 USB Ins
32 USB Outs feed 12 Direct Outs which go to the 7.1.4 monitors

6

Why are you using direct outs? What do you mean by USB Outs feed Direct Outs? I’m sorry your post is very long and not clear at all.

How is your SQ routed?

If your routing is USBin->Channel->DirectOut, then:

Go and check in the routing tab and at the top of all input channels, there is a Dir OUT setting button. On this page you’ll find the Source point, follow/ignore fader/mute settings, etc… You’re surely Direct Outting pre-fader. Do it Post-Fader.