Allen & Heath SQ-6

Description

<h1 style="text-align: justify;">Powered by <strong><a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/brands/allen-heath">Allen &amp; Heath</a>'s</strong> revolutionary 96kHz XCVI FPGA engine, the <strong>SQ-6</strong> is designed for professionals working in live audio, recording, and streaming. Delivering high-resolution audio with sub-0.7ms latency, the <strong><a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/brands/allen-heath">Allen &amp; Heath</a> SQ-6</strong> has unrivalled power and audio fidelity. The <strong><a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/brands/allen-heath">Allen &amp; Heath</a> SQ-6</strong> features 24 mono inputs with respective microphone preamps and 3 stereo inputs, which can be expanded to 48 input channels. The mixer is equipped with 8 stereo FX engines with dedicated returns, 14 XLR outputs, AES out, and an SLink port.</h1><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Mixing Experience</strong></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/brands/allen-heath"><strong>Allen &amp; Heath</strong></a> engineers and developers believe that the user should decide how the mixer works, not the other way around. That's why the <strong><a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/brands/allen-heath">Allen &amp; Heath</a> SQ-6</strong> mixer comes with options to customize the machine's workflow. Channels and mixes can be individually dragged and dropped onto any channel strip, with custom names and color coding on the displays, giving full control over the layout. In addition, there are 16 softkeys and 4 assignable potentiometers. The 7" touchscreen and its knob make navigating and adjusting <strong><a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/brands/allen-heath">Allen &amp; Heath</a> SQ-6</strong> parameters fast and intuitive. A "channel to all" mixing button provides instant access to all send levels and assignments for the selected channel. Each channel strip features <a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/brands/allen-heath"><strong>Allen &amp; Heath's</strong></a> patented chromatic metering system, which provides visual level indication using variable brightness and color.</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Channel Strip</strong></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">On the front panel, there are 24 faders for the mixer channels and 1 dedicated to the various masters, all motorized. 6 assignable command layers via dedicated buttons, highlighted in green in the image, provide access to 96 assignable channel strips, making it possible to control any combination of channels, returns, masters, and DCAs. Each channel strip features mute, select, and PAFL buttons, an LED indicator for signal and peak, highlighted in blue, and a backlit color LCD to facilitate track color coding. Highlighted in red are the copy, paste, and reset buttons for various parameters. The Master Fader can also be used to control the volumes of various mixes and effects using the buttons highlighted in yellow to its right.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="channel strip dell'Allen &amp; Heath SQ-6" src="https://www.algameko.com/images/uploads/fader sq6.jpg" /></p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Physical Mixer Controls</strong></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">The <strong><a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/brands/allen-heath">Allen &amp; Heath</a> SQ-6</strong> is a feature-rich digital mixer that we can access via a well-defined and clear physical control layout. We first saw how to navigate between the various assignable layers, mixes, FX, outputs, and input channels. Now, once we have selected the channel we want to work on, let's see how to modify its main parameters. In the image below, highlighted in blue, on the left of the screen, we find the controls dedicated to the Preamp, insert, high-pass filter, gate, compressor, and pan, while on the right, we find those dedicated to the EQ section, including the 'fader flip' button, which allows us, when working with the graphic equalizer, to use the faders to control the GEQ bands. In the center, highlighted in red, we find the 7-inch touch screen display, the buttons that allow us to navigate between the various mixer functions, and a knob; with this, we can select a parameter through the screen and modify its value. <strong>The 16 softkeys and 4 assignable potentiometers, both for the internal mixer functions and via MIDI to a DAW,</strong> are highlighted in green. In yellow, we find the button to access the libraries of the various presets, and finally, highlighted in orange, we have a headphone input with its respective volume control.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="controlli su canale dell'Allen &amp; Heath SQ-6" src="https://www.algameko.com/images/uploads/controllis q6.jpg" /></p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Physical Inputs and Outputs</strong></h2><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="ingressi e uscite dell'Allen &amp; Heath SQ-6" src="https://www.algameko.com/images/uploads/in-out sq6.jpg" /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Allen &amp; Heath SQ-6</strong> features 24 XLR inputs with preamps for microphone or line signals, 2 stereo inputs on ¼" TRS connectors, a stereo line input on a 3.5mm mini-jack connector, and a talkback input on XLR. The 14 Mix outputs are on XLR connectors, with outputs 11/12 designated for the Main Out. There are two TRS outputs for out A and out B, and one XLR output for AES out.</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>I/O Port</strong></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">It is possible to expand the number of inputs and connection protocols of the mixer by installing an additional card in the dedicated I/O Port slot to obtain connections for Dante, Waves, MADI, and Slink protocols.</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Multitrack Recording</strong></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">The integrated <strong>SQ-Drive</strong> makes it quick and easy to capture a 96kHz multitrack or stereo recording of the show directly to a USB stick or drive. The <strong><a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/brands/allen-heath">Allen &amp; Heath</a> SQ-6</strong> features an integrated 32x32 96kHz audio interface for multitrack recording, backing tracks, or virtual soundcheck applications. <strong>The interface is compatible with both Mac and PC and includes MIDI and DAW control functionality.</strong><br />If 32 channels are not enough, inputs and outputs can be expanded by installing a Dante or Waves audio network card, thereby achieving 64x64 channels.</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Powerful Processing on All Channels</strong></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">The <strong><a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/brands/allen-heath">Allen &amp; Heath</a> SQ-6</strong> is equipped with all the signal processors needed to create a perfect mix on every channel. Each input has HPF, a super-fast gate with sidechain and filter, a 4-band parametric equalizer, and a Peak/RMS compressor for level and transient control and shaping. Mixes have both a 28-band graphic equalizer and a parametric one, as well as a compressor ready to be activated when required. The XCVI core also allows the <strong><a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/brands/allen-heath">Allen &amp; Heath</a> SQ-6's</strong> compressors to have their own parallel channel, without phase or coherence issues.</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Audio Effects and RackExtra Effects Library</strong></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">The <strong><a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/brands/allen-heath">Allen &amp; Heath</a> SQ-6</strong> is equipped with 8 stereo effects engines and comes complete with the acclaimed <strong>RackExtra</strong> library, featuring emulations of legendary classic reverbs, gated reverbs, delays, modulators, and more. Each effect has its own dedicated stereo return, so none of the 48 input channels need to be used.</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>DEEP Plug-Ins</strong></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">The <strong><a href="https://www.algameko.com/it/brands/allen-heath">Allen &amp; Heath</a> SQ-6's</strong> <strong>DEEP</strong> processing architecture allows users to carefully select Boutique series compressors and preamplifiers, which offer high-performance emulations suitable for different styles and needs.</p>DEEP plugins can be directly embedded into the mixer's input and mix channels, all without adding latency to the system or creating configuration issues. You can browse the various DEEP plugins on the website "shop.allen-heath.com".

AMM: Automatic Mic Mixer

The AMM is highly functional in applications such as conferences and meetings where multiple microphones are open simultaneously. AMM works by reducing background noise, minimizing the risk of feedback, and keeping all sound sources at the same level, ensuring that each speaker's contribution is heard clearly, thanks also to the D-Classic gain algorithm, inspired by industry-standard automixers.

Remote Control Apps

Allen & Heath SQ-6 is designed to integrate seamlessly with the SQ MixPad app, complete with all the necessary functionalities to operate the mixer, providing quick and easy access to all settings, including channel processing, meters and RTA, FX racks, scene management, USB audio control, menu configuration, and much more.

Musician Monitoring with Qu-You App

Qu-You is an Allen & Heath app designed for musicians, allowing up to seven artists to control their monitor mixes via Wi-Fi using an iPhone®, iPad®, iPod Touch®, or an Android device.

USB Interface

A built-in 32x32 interface transmits 96kHz multitrack audio to and from the core of the Allen & Heath SQ-6, so it can be connected to DAW software for recording and use in the studio or for audio streaming purposes.

Technical Specifications Allen & Heath SQ-6

    
• 96kHz XCVI FPGA core
    
• Latency <7ms with all processing active
    
• 24 mono inputs + 3 stereo inputs expandable to 48 in
    
• 12 stereo mixes
    
• 3 stereo matrixes
    
• Access to DEEP plug-ins
    
• Automatic Mic Mixing
    
• 8 stereo effects engines with dedicated returns
    
• 7-inch touchscreen
    
• SLink port for remote audio/expansion
    
• I/O port for installing additional audio network cards
    
• 32x32 USB audio interface
    
• SQ-Drive for direct recording to USB mass storage devices
    
• AES output
    
• Wireless remote control
    
• Chromatic channel metering
    
• Integrated LED lighting
    
• 6 fader layers

Technical Features of Allen & Heath SQ-6

Mic Line Inputs: Balanced XLR

Input Sensitivity: -060 to +0dBu

Pad: -20dB

Analog Gain: 0dB to +60dB, 1dB steps

Maximum Input Level: +30dBu

Input Impedance: >5kΩ

THD+N, Unity gain 0dB: 0.002% -92dBu (20Hz-20kHz, AES Direct Out, @0dBu 1kHz)

THD+N, Mid gain +30dB: 0.003% -91dBu (20Hz-20kHz, AES Direct Out, @-30dBu INPUT 1kHz)

Phantom Power: +48V (+3V / -2V)

Stereo Line Inputs

ST1, ST2: Balanced 1/4" TRS jack connectors

ST3: Balanced stereo 3.5mm Mini Jack connectors

Input Sensitivity (ST1, ST2 / ST3) Nominal +4dBu ST1, ST2 / 0dBu ST3

Trim: +/-24dB

Maximum Input Level (ST1, ST2 / ST3): +22dBu / +18dBu

Input Impedance: >7kΩ

XLR Outputs: Balanced

Outputs A and B: Balanced 1/4" TRS Jack connectors

Source: patchable

Output Impedance: <75Ω

Nominal Output: +4dBu = 0dB meter reading

Maximum Output Level: +22dBu

Residual Output Noise: -90dBu (muted, 20Hz-20kHz)

AES Digital Output: Balanced, XLR 2 channel, Sample rate 96kHz (Default with SRC Bypassed) Other selectable sample rates 44.1kHz/ 48kHz/ 88.2kHz/ (96kHz), Balanced terminated 2.5Vpp 110G

SLink

Connections: Neutrik EtherCON (RJ45)

dsnake mode (48kHz devices): 40 input 20+40(ME) output

dx mode (96kHz devices): 32 input 32 output

gigaACE/GX (96kHz devices) 128 input 128 output

Inputs: Fully patchable

Outputs: Fully patchable

Sync/SRC: Assignable as primary audio sync for all modes, SRC 64 channel

I/O Port

Inputs: Fully patchable

Outputs: Fully patchable

Sync/SRC: Assignable as master audio sync

System - XLR balanced measured at XLR output, 0dB gain, 0dBu input

Dynamic Range: 112 dB

Frequency Response: +0/-0.5dB 20Hz to 20kHz

Headroom: +18dB

Internal Operating Level: 0dBu

THD+N, mic/line sent to main L/R output: unity gain fader @0dB, 0.006%, -84dBu (20 - 20kHz)

dBFS Alignment: +18dBu = 0dBFS (+22dBu at XLR output)

Meter Calibration: 0dB meter = -18dBFS (+4dBu at XLR out)

Meter Type: 2 x 12 segments, fast response (peak)

Channel Meters: chromatic type, programmable

Peak Indication: -3dBFS (+19dBu at XLR out), multi-point sensing

Sample Rate: 96kHz

Latency <0.7mS, Local Mic Input to Main L/R

Operating Temperature Range: 0 C - 40C

Main Power: 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz

Maximum Power Consumption: SQ-6-75W / SQ-6-90W / SQ-7110W

Controls

Faders: 100mm motorized

Touch screen: 7 inches, 800 x 480 resolution, 24 bit RGB

SoftKeys: 16

SoftRotarys: 4

Mute Group/DCA Group: 8/8

Network: TCP/IP Ethernet for MIDI and Control

MIDI: TCP/IP and USB-B

Footswitch: Single or dual, momentary or latching

Input Processing

Polarity: normal or inverted

Trim: -24 to +24dB

High Pass Filter: 12/18/24dB per octave 20Hz – 2kHz

Insert (Pre EQ/Comp): patchable

Delay: up to 341ms

Gate sidechain patchable

Sidechain filter Hi-pass (20-5k), band-pass (120-10k), Lo-pass (120-20k)

Threshold / Depth from -72dBu to +18dBu / 0 to 60dB

Attack / Hold / Release 50µs - 300ms / 10ms - 5s / 10ms - 1s

PEQ 4-Band parametric, 20-20kHz, +/-15dB

Band 1, Band 4 selectable Shelving (Baxandall), Bell, HPF/LPF 12dB/octave

Band 2, Band 3 Bell

Bell Width Variable Q, 1.5 to 1/9th octave

Compressor Patchable Sidechain, DEEP

Sidechain Filter: Hi-pass (20-5k), band-pass (120-10k), Lo-pass (120-20k), Q=1

Threshold / Ratio: -46dBu - 18dBu / 1:1 - infinity

Attack / Release: 30µs - 300ms / 50ms - 2s

Knee: Soft/Hard

Detector response: Peak/RMS

Parallel Compression: dry/wet -inf - 0dB

Channel Direct Out: Follow Fader, Mute, Mute Group, DCA (global all channels)

Source: select Post-Preamp, Post-HPF, Post-Gate, Insert Return, Post-PEQ, Post-Comp, Post-Delay

trim -inf - 10dB per channel

mix processing

Insert: (Pre EQ/Comp) patchable

Delay: up to 682ms

GEQ: 28 bands 31Hz-16kHz, +/-12dB Gain, 1/3 octave constant, DEEP

PEQ: input PEQ

Compressor: input

FX

Internal FX: 8 x RackFX engines, Send>Return or as insert (4 dedicated fx buses)

Types: SMR Reverb, Stereo Tap Delay, Gated Reverb, ADT, Blue Chorus Symphonic Chorus, Flanger, Phaser

8 dedicated stereo effect returns: Fader, Pan, Mute, Routing to Mix/LR, 4-Band PEQ

Audio Tools

PAFL: PFL or stereo in-place AFL, 0 to -24dB Trim, PAFL Delay up to 682ms

Talkback: dedicated input, assignable to any input or mix, Gain, Pad, 48V, 12dB/oct HPF

Signal Generator: assignable to any input or mix, Sine/White/Pink/Bandpass Noise

RTA's: 2x 31-Band 1/3 octave (Stereo) or 61-Band 1/6 octave (Mono) 20-20kHz. PAFL/Channel or fixed source

USB audio

SQ-Drive USB-A

Stereo Recording: 2 channels, WAV, 96kHz, 24-bit, patchable source

Stereo Playback: 1/2 channel, WAV, 44.1, 48, 96kHz 16,24-bit, patchable source

Multitrack Recording: 1-16 channels 96kHz, 1-32 channels 48kHz, 24-bit, WAV, patchable

Multitrack Playback: 1-16 channels 96kHz, 1-32 channels 48kHz, 24-bit, WAV, patchable

AMMs

Configuration: 2x 24ch or 1x 48ch, assignable

Type: Gain Sharing

Sidechain Filter HPF / LPF: 12dB/octave 20Hz – 5kHz / 120Hz - 20kHz

Priority: -15dB to +15dB per channel

Add-ons

DEEP Preamps: Tube Stage

DEEP Compressors: Opto, 16T, 16VU, PeakLimiter76, Mighty

DEEP GEQ's: Proportional-Q, DiGi-GEQ, Hybrid

RackFX units: De-Esser, DynEQ4, MultiBD3, MultiBD4, Bucket Brigade, Echo, Hypabass

USB Audio Streaming USB-B, Core Audio compliant, ASIO/WDM for Windows

Send (upstream): 32 channels, 48/96kHz, 24-bit

Return (downstream): 32 channels, 48/96kHz, 24-bit

AMMs Configuration: 2x 24ch or 1x 48ch, freely assignable

Weight and Dimensions

Mixer Dimensions: 638x514.9x198mm

Package Dimensions: 820x680x360mm

Mixer Weight: 14.5KG

Package Weight: 17.3KG