Allen & Heath SQ5+ Digital Mixing Console

Allen & Heath SQ5+ Digital Mixing Console – 48 channels, 44 buses, 96 kHz

The Allen & Heath SQ5+ is a compact and powerful 48-channel digital mixing console designed for professional live sound, event production, theater, conferences, broadcast, fixed installations, and recording. With its 96 kHz XCVI Core engine, 44 buses, 17 motorized faders, and a large 9-inch touchscreen, the SQ5+ offers extensive mixing and processing capabilities in an exceptionally compact format.

As the smallest model in the SQ+ series, the SQ5+ combines a space-saving design with professional features. The mixing console features 16 local XLR mic/line inputs, 12 XLR outputs, 17 motorized 100-mm faders, and extensive digital expansion options. With an optional 19-inch rack kit, it is suitable for both mobile productions and permanent installations.

96 kHz XCVI Core and 48 Input Channels

At the heart of the Allen & Heath SQ5+ is the powerful 96 kHz XCVI Core. A total of 48 inputs are available for the mix. The mix architecture includes 12 stereo aux/group mixes plus LR, as well as 6 mono/linkable matrix channels, offering high flexibility for monitor paths, groups, zones, and complex sound reinforcement systems.

Each input channel features extensive processing with a high-pass filter, a gate (including sidechain and filter), a freely assignable insert, a 4-band parametric EQ with RTA, and a peak/RMS compressor. The mix buses also feature extensive EQ and dynamics processing.

9-inch Touchscreen and Intuitive Workflow

The large, responsive 9-inch touchscreen with a modern dark GUI ensures clear and intuitive operation. Channels and mixes can be dragged and dropped onto the desired channel strips and can be individually named and color-coded.

The SQ5+ features 17 motorized 100-mm faders across 6 layers, as well as 8 freely assignable soft keys. The patented chromatic channel metering enables quick visual monitoring of signal levels directly on the individual channel strips.

DEEP Processing for Professional Signal Processing

The Allen & Heath SQ5+ is DEEP Processing Ready. This allows optional emulations of classic analog hardware to be integrated directly into the channel and mix signal paths. Processing occurs without additional latency and can be applied simultaneously across multiple channels.

12 FX Engines with RackExtra and RackUltra

A total of 12 FX engines are available for extensive effects processing. Eight RackExtra FX engines each feature their own stereo returns and provide access to high-quality reverbs, gated reverbs, delays, modulation effects, and other effect models.

In addition, the SQ5+ features 4 built-in RackUltra FX engines with their own stereo sends and returns. The RackUltra platform, originally developed for the Allen & Heath dLive system, enables the use of high-quality reverbs, vocal tuning and pitch processors, distortion, saturation, and other professional effects. Alternatively, the four engines can also use RackExtra FX.

32x32 USB Audio Interface and SQ-Drive

The built-in 32x32 USB audio interface supports both 96 kHz and 48 kHz and enables multitrack recording, backing track playback, live streaming, and virtual soundchecks directly through a connected computer.

Using SQ-Drive, recording and playback can also be performed directly via a USB storage device without a computer. It supports up to 16 channels at 96 kHz or 32 channels at 48 kHz, as well as stereo recording and playback.

128x128 SLink and Flexible Expansion Options

The integrated 128x128 Intelligent SLink port enables connection to compatible Allen & Heath Everything-I/O stage boxes, expanders, and other mixing consoles. This allows the SQ5+ to be flexibly adapted to different production sizes and applications.

An additional I/O expansion slot supports optional cards for Dante, MADI, Waves, and SLink. This makes the SQ5+ suitable for complex digital audio networks, FOH/monitor splits, broadcast applications, and professional fixed installations.

Automatic Mic Mixing

For conferences, panel discussions, and broadcast applications, the SQ5+ offers powerful Automatic Mic Mixing. Two independent 24-channel AMMs can be operated simultaneously for separate zones or combined into a single 48-channel AMM.

Highlights

• Professional 48-Channel Digital Mixing Console
• 96-kHz XCVI Core
• 44 buses
• 12 stereo aux/group mixes + LR
• 6 mono/linkable matrix channels
• 16 local XLR mic/line inputs
• 12 XLR outputs
• 17 motorized 100-mm faders
• 6 fader layers
• Large 9-inch touchscreen with Dark GUI
• 8 freely assignable soft keys
• Chromatic channel metering
• DEEP Processing Ready
• 8 RackExtra FX engines
• 4 RackUltra FX engines
• A total of 12 FX engines
• 32x32 USB audio interface at 96 or 48 kHz
• SQ-Drive for direct multitrack recording
• 128x128 Intelligent SLink port
• I/O expansion slot
• Optional Dante, MADI, Waves, and SLink cards
• Two independent 24-channel AMMs
• Alternatively, a 48-channel AMM
• Remote control via free apps
• Rugged metal enclosure
• Optional 19-inch rack-mountable

Technical Specifications

• Mix inputs: 48
• Buses: 44
• Sampling rate: 96 kHz
• Processing: XCVI Core
• Aux/Group Mixes: 12x Stereo + LR
• Matrix: 6x mono/linkable
• Local mic/line inputs: 16x XLR
• XLR outputs: 12
• Stereo Line Inputs: 3
• Talkback: 1x XLR
• TRS Outputs: 2
• Digital output: AES3 stereo
• Faders: 17 motorized 100-mm faders
• Fader layers: 6
• Display: 9-inch touchscreen
• SoftKeys: 8
• RackExtra FX Engines: 8
• RackUltra FX Engines: 4
• USB-B Interface: 32x32 at 96 kHz / 48 kHz
• SQ-Drive USB-A: 16 channels at 96 kHz / 32 channels at 48 kHz
• SLink: 128x128 Intelligent SLink
• I/O Expansion: 1x slot for optional expansion cards
• Rack Mounting: 19 inches with optional rack kit

The Allen & Heath SQ5+ digital mixing console combines professional 96-kHz audio processing with a compact chassis, 48 input channels, 44 buses, and extensive effects, recording, and networking capabilities. With a 9-inch touchscreen, 17 motorized faders, 12 FX engines, and 128x128 SLink, the SQ5+ is ideal for live sound, event production, touring, theater, conferences, broadcast, fixed installations, and professional recording applications.