Allen & Heath SQ5

Allen & Heath SQ5: Flagship Digital Mixer Power in a Portable Console

The Allen & Heath SQ5 digital mixer merges a 96kHz FPGA processing engine with a compact footprint for demanding live sound engineers, studios, houses of worship, and broadcast setups. Offering 48 mixing channels and 36 busses, its robust all-metal chassis ensures durability during challenging events. You get the core signal path of the higher-end dLive series within a 19-inch rack-mountable unit. The SQ5’s workflow flexibility, customizable layers, and tactile control suit users needing advanced features and swift setup.

Advanced Mixing Capabilities and Expansion

Standout performance comes from the 96kHz XCVI FPGA core, which provides sub-0.7ms system latency at any processing load, with fully phase-coherent audio throughout. Optional DEEP Processing brings zero-latency hardware-style compressor and EQ emulations, and eight stereo FX engines offer dedicated returns so input channels are always available for sources. Expansion through SLink allows up to 48 remote mic preamps or integration with Dante, Waves, and MADI networks.

Input, Output, and Routing Power for Any Scenario

Flexible I/O and routing options are essential for sound engineers. The SQ5 features:

• Mic Preamps: 16 onboard — clean, transparent gain for both live and studio sources.
• Line Outputs: 12 XLR + 2 TRS — patch the system for FOH, monitors, or outboard gear with ease.
• Assigning key functions to any of the 8 programmable SoftKeys makes cueing, scenes, or talkback instantly accessible in fast-paced shows.

Engineers benefit from the integrated 7" touchscreen and backlit encoders, which provide clear feedback and swift parameter access. With six fader layers, you can arrange channels for any workflow.

Onboard Effects and Multitrack Recording – Studio-Quality Tools

Each input is equipped with a musical 4-band parametric EQ, gate, high-pass filter, and Peak/RMS compressor. Bus mixes add 28-band graphic and parametric EQs. The 32×32 USB interface handles high-res multitrack recording, playback, and virtual soundchecks—no extra drivers or hardware required. SQ-Drive direct-to-USB lets you capture stereo or multitrack sessions directly to a thumb drive.

• Audio Interface: 32×32 channels at 96kHz — integrate seamlessly with DAWs or streaming platforms.
• FX Engines: 8 stereo with dedicated returns — RackExtra emulations provide premium reverb, delay, and modulation effects.
• Conferences and panel events benefit from 2×24-channel Automatic Mic Mixers (AMMs) for effortless multi-mic management.

Remote Control and Personal Monitoring

Wireless control via SQ MixPad and SQ4You apps gives engineers and performers hands-on access from iOS, Android, Mac, or Windows devices. Personal monitoring is streamlined, empowering up to eight performers to manage their mixes, allowing the main engineer to focus on the house sound.

• Control setups, live adjustments, and monitor mixes from integrated apps.
• ME personal mixing system compatibility is enabled through the SLink port for advanced monitor solutions.

Who Should Choose the SQ5?

Engineers in live touring, theater, broadcast, houses of worship, or studio environments that demand reliability, expandability, and pristine audio will find the SQ5 excels. This instrument is ideal for those needing high-end processing in a compact, portable form with flexibility to adapt to larger productions or installations.

Allen & Heath Heritage and SQ5 Development

Allen & Heath draws on decades of live sound expertise. The SQ5 builds on dLive technology and incorporates proven workflow elements from the Qu series. Attention to chassis durability, motorized faders, and firmware shaped by user feedback shows the brand’s dedication to innovation and reliability.