ALLEN & HEATH SQ5+ | 48-input 44-bus Digital Mixer W/ 16+1 Motorized Faders & Rackultra Fx

SQ5+

48-Input 44-Bus Digital Mixer with 16+1 Motorized Faders and RackUltra FX

SQ5+ is a 48-channel 44-bus digital mixing console with numerous enhancements including more processing power, a large 9" touchscreen with reimagined GUI, and a cleaner carbon-on-graphite update to the surface artwork and controls. The SQ5+ continues to be a go-to solution for owner operators, midsize venues, small tours, and anywhere audio quality and interoperability are vital, including live sound applications, corporate A/V, recording studios, and houses of worship.

The SQ5+ features 26+1 motorized faders and 16 professional-quality microphone preamps. There are also eight stereo FX engines with dedicated return channels and four RackUtra FX engines with the ability to run the latest DEEP channel processing. The mixer's 12 stereo outputs (configurable as groups or aux's) are well suited for in-ear-monitor setups, while the Automatic Mic Mixing function offers quick and easy operation over multiple microphones for conferences, panel talks, and more. At the heart of the SQ5+ lies the 96 kHz XCVI Core FPGA engine, which delivers professional, high-resolution audio quality, ultralow latency (less than 0.7 ms), variable bit depth for precision and noise performance, mix coherency down to the sample, and the power to handle high channel/mix counts and FX processing.

Audio Processing

• 96 kHz XCVI core
• 48 inputs to mix
• 12 stereo aux/group mixes + LR
• 6 mono/linkable matrix
• Full channel and mix processing (HPF, PEQ/GEQ, comp, gate)
• DEEP processing ready
• 8 RackExtra FX Engines with dedicated send and return channels
• 4 RackUltra FX Engines with dedicated send and return channels

Digital I/O

• 128 x 128 Intelligent SLink Port for Everything I/O expansion and connection to other Allen & Heath consoles
• I/O Port for option cards (SLink, Dante, Waves, and MADI cards available)
• USB-A: Data transfer and stereo/multichannel audio record/playback
  • 16 channels at 96 kHz
  • 32 channels at 48 kHz
• USB-B: Audio interface for multichannel record/playback
  • 32 x 32 at 96 kHz
  • 32 x 32 at 48 kHz
• AES3 Stereo Digital Output Socket

Analog I/O

• 16 XLR mic/line input sockets
• 12 XLR output sockets
• Three stereo line input sockets (four TRS 1/4” sockets, one 3.5mm TRS socket)
• One XLR talkback socket
• Two TRS output sockets
• Stereo headphone output

Control

• 17 100mm motorized faders
• 8 soft keys
• Six channel-strip layers
• 9” touchscreen with dark GUI
• Configurable single/dual footswitch connection
• Remote control via free apps for Windows/MacOS/iOS/Android

Easy Mixing

• A Bigger, Bolder Interface
  • SQ+ is centred around a responsive 9” touchscreen with an all-new dark GUI that is fast to navigate and easy to read in any mixing environment. Framed by high-grip illuminated encoders, it delivers an intuitive blend of visual feedback and hands-on control.
• Drag-and-Drop Layout
  • Channels and mixes can be dragged and dropped to any strip, with custom naming and color coding on the displays, letting you build a mixing environment that works for you.
• At-a-Glance Metering
  • Each strip features our patented Chromatic channel metering system, giving you at-a-glance level indication down to -72 dB thanks to LEDs with variable brightness and color.
• Accelerate Your Workflow
  • All SQ+ mixers feature assignable SoftKeys for quick access to the functions you use the most. 

World-Class Processing and FX

• All the Tools for the Perfect Mix 
  • Every input channel comes equipped with HPF, a superfast gate with side-chain and filter, a freely assignable insert point, a musical 4-band parametric equalizer with RTA, and Peak/RMS compressor for control and shaping of levels and transients. Mixes include both a parametric and 28-band graphic EQ along with compressor as standard, all ready to switch in when required.
• DEEP Processing: Latency Free Emulations 
  • SQ+ supports the latest generation of DEEP processing add-ons—models of classic analog hardware embedded directly into your channel and mix strips, adding no latency and available on every channel simultaneously.
• Two FX Suites. Twelve FX Engines
  • SQ+ is equipped with 8 RackExtra FX engines, each with its own dedicated stereo return, giving you access to the acclaimed RackExtra FX suite, featuring emulations of legendary reverbs, gated reverbs, delays, modulators and more.
  • Four built-in RackUltra FX engines take SQ+ further, each with dedicated stereo sends and returns. First developed for the flagship dLive system, and proven on international tours, the RackUltra FX suite of add-ons brings premium reverbs, vocal tuning and pitch processors, distortion, saturation, and more to SQ+. The 4 engines can also run RackExtra FX for maximum flexibility.

Recording and Playback

• Record, Stream, Mix
  • SQ+'s built-in USB audio interface enables easy multitrack recording, backing-track playback, livestreaming, and virtual soundcheck at up to 32×32 channels at both 96 and 48 kHz, for class-compliant and compatible with Mac and Windows that have separately available ASIO and WDM drivers installed. You can map faders, rotaries, channel keys, and SoftKeys to control your favourite DAW using the Allen & Heath MIDI Control app.
• Capture, Playback, Virtual Soundcheck
  • The integrated SQ-Drive makes it quick and easy to capture or playback 16 channels (at 96 kHz), 32 channels (at 48 kHz), or just a simple stereo mix, direct to a USB drive. No need for a laptop or DAW—just press record.

Connectivity and Expansion

• Everything I/O
  • The 128×128 Intelligent SLink port opens up the entire Allen & Heath Everything I/O ecosystem, connecting seamlessly to a wide range of remote stageboxes, expanders, and other Allen & Heath consoles.
• Audio Networking
  • A dedicated I/O expansion slot supports optional cards for Dante, MADI, Waves, and additional SLink connections, making SQ+ a natural fit for complex multi-format installs, FOH/monitor splits and broadcast setups.
• AMM
  • SQ+’s advanced Automatic Mic Mixers make it a natural choice for mixing conferences, panel discussions, and broadcast applications. Two independent 24-channel AMMs can run simultaneously for two separate zones or combine into a single 48-channel AMM for larger events.

Apps

• SQ+ MixPad
  • SQ+ MixPad gives you the freedom to mix from anywhere in the venue, even if that’s not physically close to the mixer’s location. The app is available for free on iOS, Android, Windows and macOS platforms.
• SQ+4You
  • SQ+4You is a free personal mixing app to accompany SQ+ series mixers, allowing up to eight performers to control their own monitor mixes from their Android or iOS devices, freeing the audio engineer to focus on the front-of-house sound.
• Built for the Real World
  • The live environment is unforgiving, so SQ+ is built to take it. A robust all-metal chassis provides the strength and rigidity to handle the rigors of touring and installation alike, while the new carbon-on-graphite finish with black-and-white knobs and fader caps gives it a sharp, contemporary look that holds up under real-world use. Every SQ+ comes backed by a two-year manufacturer's warranty as standard.

Special Offer

• PlusPack
  • Register your SQ+ and receive a voucher for the free PlusPack processing add-on package. PlusPack includes all DEEP SQ Add-ons- including Compressor Models, GEQs, and Preamp Models, as well as premium RackExtra FX like the De-Esser, Hypabass, and Bucket Brigade. Plus, take advantage of SQ+’s boosted processing with Source Expander, Dual Threshold Expander, and CompStortion. 

Specifications

• Max I/O Capacity
  • 48x Input / 36x Output 
• Number of Mic Preamps
  • 16
• Number of Analog Output Channels
  • 14
• Mix Routing
  • 8x Stereo FX Return
• Groups
  • 8x Mute Group
  • 8x DCA Group
• Presets
  • Yes
• Display
  • 9" Touchscreen 
• Faders & Level Adjustment
  • 17x 3.9" / 100 mm Fader
• Meters 
  • Main Meter: 2x 12-Segment LED
  • Channel Meter: Single LED
• Gain/Trim Range
  • Line: ±24 dB (Stereo Channels)
  • Line/Mic: to +60 dB (in 1 dB Steps)
• Input Pad
  • -20 dB
• Input Polarity
  • Normal/Reverse
• Dynamic Processing
  • Input Channels: Compressor, Gate
  • Master: Compressor, Limiter
• EQ
  • FX Returns: 4-Band Parametric
• EQ Parameters
  • 1x HF Shelf: ±15 dB at 20 Hz to 20 kHz (Shelf or Bell Selectable)
  • 2x MF Notch/Peak: ±15 dB at 20 Hz to 20 kHz
  • 1x LF Shelf: ±15 dB at 20 Hz to 20 kHz (Shelf or Bell Selectable)
• Graphic EQ
  • 28-Band 1/3 Octave, ±12 dB 31 Hz to 16 kHz
• Filters
  • High-Pass: 20 Hz to 2 kHz, 12 dB/Octave
• Solo/Mute
  • Mute, PFL per Input Channel, Bus, Master
• Built-In Effects
  • Reverb
  • Stereo Delay (Tap)
  • Reverb (Gated)
  • ADT
  • 2x Chorus
  • Flanger
  • Phaser
• Audio Delay
  • Adjustable Up to 682 ms
• Automatic Mic Mixing
  • Yes
• Sample Rates 
  • AES3 Output: 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 kHz
  • Stereo Record: 96 kHz
  • Stereo Playback: 44.1 / 48 / 96 kHz
  • Multitrack Playback/Multitrack Record: 96 kHz
• Bit Depth
  
  • Stereo Record: 24-Bit
  • Stereo Playback: 16 / 24-Bit
  • Multitrack Playback, Multitrack Record: 24-Bit
• Frequency Response
  • 20 Hz to 20 kHz /-0.5
• Max Input Level
  • Mic/Line Input: +30 dBu
  • Aux Input: +22 dBu (+4 dBu) / +18 dBu (0 dBu)
• Analog Dynamic Range
  • 112 dB
• I/O Impedance
  • 1/4", XLR Output: < 75 Ohms
  • AES3 Output: 110 Ohms
  • Aux Input: > 7 Kilohms
  • Line/Mic Input: > 5 Kilohms
• Noise Floor
  • -90 dBu (with Inputs Muted)
• THD+N
  • 0.006% at Unity Gain
  • Mic/Line Input to AES3 Output: 0.0015% at Unity Gain (0 dBu, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, AES Direct Out, 1 kHz)) / 0.003% at +30 dB Gain (20 Hz to 20 kHz, AES Direct Out, +30 dBu Input 1 kHz)
• Signal Generator
  • Sine, White, Pink, or Band-Pass Noise (Assignable to Any Mix) 
• Analog Inputs
  • 1x XLR Talkback Input
  • 16x XLR Balanced Mic/Line Input
  • 4x 1/4" TRS Balanced Aux Input (2 Stereo Pair, Half-Normalled)
  • 1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm Unbalanced Aux Input
• Analog Outputs
  • 12x XLR Balanced Output
  • 2x 1/4" TRS Balanced Output
• Phantom Power
  • +48 V
• Digital I/O
  • 1x RJ45 (Network)
  • 1x XLR AES3 Output
  • 1x etherCON (I/O)
• USB I/O
  • 1x USB-A 2.0 (External Memory)
  • 1x USB-B 2.0 (Audio Streaming)
• Expansion Ports
  • 1x I/O Card
• Max Multitrack Recording
  • 16 Tracks
• Media Support
  • USB Drive
• File Format Support
  • WAV
• OS Compatibility
  • Computer: Windows 10 or Later / macOS 10.14 to 11
  • Mobile: Android/iOS
• Mobile Device Compatibility
  • Android Smartphone
  • Android Tablet
  • iPad
  • iPhone
• Input Power
  • 100 to 240 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz
• Operating Conditions
  • 32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C
• Dimensions
  • 17.3 x 20.3 x 7.8" / 43.9 x 51.6 x 19.8 cm
• Weight
  • 24.7 lb / 11.2 kg

In The Box

• Allen & Heath SQ5+ 48-Input 44-Bus Digital Mixer with 16+1 Motorized Faders and RackUltra FX
• Power Cord
• Limited 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty