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Title: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jonathan Goodall on October 25, 2017, 04:49:44 AM
http://www.allen-heath.com/key-series/sq/

SQ-6 Features

96kHz FPGA processing
48 Input Channels
DEEP Processing ready
25 Faders / 6 Layers
12 Stereo mixes + LR
3 Stereo Matrix
8 Stereo FX Engines + dedicated returns
7” capacitive touchscreen
SLink port for remote audio / expansion
64ch I/O Port for audio networking
32×32 USB audio interface
SQ-Drive direct recording to USB
AES output
Chromatic channel metering
Integrated LED illumination
Dedicated physical controls
16 Assignable SoftKeys
4 Assignable Soft Rotaries
Channel LCD displays
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on October 25, 2017, 07:18:01 AM
http://www.allen-heath.com/key-series/sq/

SQ-6 Features

96kHz FPGA processing
48 Input Channels
DEEP Processing ready
25 Faders / 6 Layers
12 Stereo mixes + LR
3 Stereo Matrix
8 Stereo FX Engines + dedicated returns
7” capacitive touchscreen
SLink port for remote audio / expansion
64ch I/O Port for audio networking
32×32 USB audio interface
SQ-Drive direct recording to USB
AES output
Chromatic channel metering
Integrated LED illumination
Dedicated physical controls
16 Assignable SoftKeys
4 Assignable Soft Rotaries
Channel LCD displays
Positioned in between the Qu and GLD. MAP of the SQ5 $2799, MAP of the SQ6 $3499 both in USD.

They use the GLD/Qu series stage boxes.

A note on the Facebook page says both the GLD and Qu are still in active development with firmware updates due before the end of the year.

These seem like nice products.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on October 25, 2017, 08:36:05 AM
Coming from the Qu series, these are a pretty significant upgrade - more channels, more mixes, nicer UI, scribble strips, etc.  Most of the GLD functionality coming down to the Qu.  Maybe somebody needs 96KHz, but this is marketing fluff, IMO.

Coming from the GLD series perspective, the Sq is probably closer to the GLD than the Qu.  SQ advantages are multi-track recording, more surface IO, 12 stereo mixes plus mains, and 96KHz.  Disadvantages are fewer dedicated controls for EQ, lack of flexible bus architecture (i.e. the SQ can do 12 stereo mixes which is actually more than the GLD can, however the SQ can't do 16 mono mixes, which the GLD can), and inability to split fader banks.  The GLD112 has a few more faders than the SQ6.

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Mark Rombouts on October 25, 2017, 09:42:17 AM
Just sold my GLD and qu16. I wanted to go back to one mixer. Compact and piwefull.

I ended up buying a Midas M32r with 2 DL153 racks. Almost perfect setup.

But now maybe that is going on sale for a SQ5 with racks. Just a little more powerfull and flexibel i think.

To bad it was not inteoduced two months ago.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on October 25, 2017, 10:07:23 AM
Positioned in between the Qu and GLD. MAP of the SQ5 $2799, MAP of the SQ6 $3499 both in USD.

They use the GLD/Qu series stage boxes.

A note on the Facebook page says both the GLD and Qu are still in active development with firmware updates due before the end of the year.

These seem like nice products.

Its got more inputs and busses than the GLD, it uses new 96KHz racks, but can use the old GLD / Qu 48KHz racks.

I suspect the Qu will remain the entry level desk for some time and the GLD will eventually be phased out, but not just yet.

The reports / tests that I have read recently indicate that the D-Live is one of the best sounding desk out there, while the GLD and Qu sound great I suspect  SQ at 96KHz will be very similar to the D-Live in sound quality.   
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on October 25, 2017, 10:17:05 AM
Its got more inputs and busses than the GLD, it uses new 96KHz racks, but can use the old GLD / Qu 48KHz racks.

I suspect the Qu will remain the entry level desk for some time and the GLD will eventually be phased out, but not just yet.

The reports / tests that I have read recently indicate that the D-Live is one of the best sounding desk out there, while the GLD and Qu sound great I suspect  SQ at 96KHz will be very similar to the D-Live in sound quality.
Can you elaborate on the inputs and busses?  I'm making assumptions on public information on Facebook and the A&H page, which aren't complete yet.  I get the feeling that the bus architecture is fixed like the Qu series rather than the GLD, and they say 48 inputs which is the same as the GLD.  What am I missing?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Robert Patch on October 25, 2017, 11:12:05 AM
Can you elaborate on the inputs and busses?  I'm making assumptions on public information on Facebook and the A&H page, which aren't complete yet.  I get the feeling that the bus architecture is fixed like the Qu series rather than the GLD, and they say 48 inputs which is the same as the GLD.  What am I missing?

From the literature on-line:

6 layers of 16 faders provide 96 assignable strips for access to any combination of channels, returns, masters and DCAs.

It's not clear to me whether the inputs and outputs can be assigned as on the GLD.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Kevin Maxwell on October 25, 2017, 11:22:12 AM
Positioned in between the Qu and GLD. MAP of the SQ5 $2799, MAP of the SQ6 $3499 both in USD.

They use the GLD/Qu series stage boxes.

A note on the Facebook page says both the GLD and Qu are still in active development with firmware updates due before the end of the year.

These seem like nice products.

Do you have any MAP pricing on the stage boxes? I see that the SQ6 has 24 preamps on the console.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on October 25, 2017, 11:31:21 AM
From the literature on-line:

6 layers of 16 faders provide 96 assignable strips for access to any combination of channels, returns, masters and DCAs.

It's not clear to me whether the inputs and outputs can be assigned as on the GLD.

Just to add to that ...

The GLD is 44 mono mic channels and 2 stereo line inputs and 30 buses, the SQ is 48 (I think, the info is a bit vague) mic inputs plus 2 stereo line inputs and 36 buses.

The architecture from what I can gather is fixed to some extent but here is a quote form A&H Facebook page.

“There are 6 layers of assignable channel strips that can be set up any way you like - you cannot split the console, but you can assign the same channels across multiple layers. The SoftRotaries on the SQ-6 can also be assigned to control levels if you'd prefer to work that way.”
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on October 25, 2017, 11:39:28 AM
http://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/sq-6/

I don't know why that page is so hard to find (and no links to it yet).

(http://www.allen-heath.com/media/SQ-6-Front-High.jpg)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Art Nadelman on October 25, 2017, 11:41:50 AM
From the literature on-line:

6 layers of 16 faders provide 96 assignable strips for access to any combination of channels, returns, masters and DCAs.

It's not clear to me whether the inputs and outputs can be assigned as on the GLD.

Yes.  Any input or output can be assigned to any fader.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on October 25, 2017, 12:12:54 PM
Yes.  Any input or output can be assigned to any fader.
While that's true, that's not my question.  The SQ series seems to clearly be fixed architecture.  The GLD lets you adjust how many stereo auxes, mono auxes, matricies, etc. which actually changes the number of audio paths.  The SQ is defined - 12 stereo auxes, 8 mute groups, 8 DCAs (The GLD has 16 DCAs that are also mute groups), etc.

The SQ's setup will be great for a lot of people, I have no doubt.  Last weekend I ran 16 mono auxes.  Would having 12 plus 4 ME-1 boxes have been a deal breaker?  No, but it's nice that the GLD could do it.

If I had nothing I'd buy the SQ in a heartbeat, but there's nothing the SQ does that I need that my GLD systems don't already do, and (IMO) the GLD is a nicer surface.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Tim McCulloch on October 25, 2017, 02:33:36 PM
I'd rather have 16 physical analog outputs than 14.

I'd rather have MONO matrices that can be linked if needed, and I need to have 8, not six.

The SQ is soooo close...

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on October 25, 2017, 03:04:27 PM
I'd rather have 16 physical analog outputs than 14.

I'd rather have MONO matrices that can be linked if needed, and I need to have 8, not six.

The SQ is soooo close...
I think the SQ will be a great product for a lot of people, and I am grateful for the downward price pressure it will put on the market, but I agree: Close, but no cigar.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Stephen Kirby on October 25, 2017, 05:33:53 PM
I want to touch one in the flesh to see how easy it is to work with that screen.  The higher end boards have large touch screens that make doing everything on the screen practical.  Things like the Qu have dedicated encoders which speeds up access.  This seems caught somewhere in the middle.  More soft button presses but on a comparitively small screen.  The cost of a 10-14" screen is low enough I would think it could be absorbed into a $3k+ board.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Dave Guilford on October 25, 2017, 09:29:59 PM
Psssh.  Not even a place to put my iPad, let alone iPhone.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Trevor Jalla on October 25, 2017, 10:56:57 PM
Do I misread or is the max channel count limited to 48?

When running stereo IEMs, I routinely double patch all inputs so the band can mix/tweak themselves without messing FOH. Having 48 caps me at 24 channel show, or less if I want to add click track, MD mic, ambient mics etc, even if I were to add a stagebox for additional physical I/O

12 stereo mixes is great, something I wish I had - but the channel count on my Si Ex1 makes me appreciate that little desk even more right now.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Caleb Dueck on October 25, 2017, 11:31:02 PM
Do I misread or is the max channel count limited to 48?

When running stereo IEMs, I routinely double patch all inputs so the band can mix/tweak themselves without messing FOH. Having 48 caps me at 24 channel show, or less if I want to add click track, MD mic, ambient mics etc, even if I were to add a stagebox for additional physical I/O

12 stereo mixes is great, something I wish I had - but the channel count on my Si Ex1 makes me appreciate that little desk even more right now.
The whole point is to raise what "entry level but not junk" is defined as.  The X/M32 held that spot for a while, this is aiming to redefine that bar.  32 plus misc inputs becomes 48, many stereo outs rather than mono, ability to have 24 physical input faders without switching rather than 16, 96kHz and some degree of DLive DNA rather than Behringer DNA, ability to use 16ch or 40ch personal mixers, newer/higher count Dante card, touch screen, nicer scribble strips, etc.  It's not meant to compete with GLD, other than channel count. 

If this is the new entry level (not counting the iPad only "toy" mixers) - I'm all for it. 

I just wish the GLD would fade and DLive C to have a small price drop.  Or a DLive based GLD replacement, 64ch, for around $8k. 

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Othmane Alaoui on October 26, 2017, 12:28:58 AM
The whole point is to raise what "entry level but not junk" is defined as.  The X/M32 held that spot for a while, this is aiming to redefine that bar.  32 plus misc inputs becomes 48, many stereo outs rather than mono, ability to have 24 physical input faders without switching rather than 16, 96kHz and some degree of DLive DNA rather than Behringer DNA, ability to use 16ch or 40ch personal mixers, newer/higher count Dante card, touch screen, nicer scribble strips, etc.  It's not meant to compete with GLD, other than channel count. 

If this is the new entry level (not counting the iPad only "toy" mixers) - I'm all for it. 

I just wish the GLD would fade and DLive C to have a small price drop.  Or a DLive based GLD replacement, 64ch, for around $8k. 

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk
I so agree with you ! It's a perfect upgrade to an X32, love the concept but would also love a smaller D or a cheaper vi1000 !
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Trevor Jalla on October 26, 2017, 09:08:05 AM
The whole point is to raise what "entry level but not junk" is defined as.  The X/M32 held that spot for a while, this is aiming to redefine that bar.  32 plus misc inputs becomes 48, many stereo outs rather than mono, ability to have 24 physical input faders without switching rather than 16, 96kHz and some degree of DLive DNA rather than Behringer DNA, ability to use 16ch or 40ch personal mixers, newer/higher count Dante card, touch screen, nicer scribble strips, etc.  It's not meant to compete with GLD, other than channel count. 

If this is the new entry level (not counting the iPad only "toy" mixers) - I'm all for it. 

I just wish the GLD would fade and DLive C to have a small price drop.  Or a DLive based GLD replacement, 64ch, for around $8k. 

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

Given the price point of the SQ, I concede this is a fair call. But the lure of the 12 stereo mixes is made (for me) redundant by the capped channel count.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on October 26, 2017, 09:26:25 AM
To me and my purposes this is exactly what I need/want.

I wanted MBC & De-ess. All the features of QU (including QU-You app). And scribble. Everything else doesn't matter to me much.

My main issue with GLD was the older architecture meaning less capability for recording & app development.

With the price point being what it is I really don't understand what the QU series is going to do?

They are all fairly mature products, but I wouldn't buy a QU when for 100$ more I can get a SQ...

---

Looks like they're slowly updating their website & datasheets. I never saw the Matrix mentioned in either literature and had to deduce... but now I'm Seeing different values (36 busses datasheet vs 32 busses quick start)

I'm curious when the reference guide will come out.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on October 26, 2017, 09:33:12 AM
The whole point is to raise what "entry level but not junk" is defined as.  The X/M32 held that spot for a while, this is aiming to redefine that bar.  32 plus misc inputs becomes 48, many stereo outs rather than mono, ability to have 24 physical input faders without switching rather than 16, 96kHz and some degree of DLive DNA rather than Behringer DNA, ability to use 16ch or 40ch personal mixers, newer/higher count Dante card, touch screen, nicer scribble strips, etc.  It's not meant to compete with GLD, other than channel count. 

If this is the new entry level (not counting the iPad only "toy" mixers) - I'm all for it. 

I just wish the GLD would fade and DLive C to have a small price drop.  Or a DLive based GLD replacement, 64ch, for around $8k. 

I think that is the only explanation. SQ will replace QU/X32 level at a decent price-point and dLive will move into GLD territory.

Otherwise I don't understand the pricing structure or feature differences between each (QU,SQ,GLD) board.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Art Nadelman on October 26, 2017, 10:12:09 AM
Do I misread or is the max channel count limited to 48?

When running stereo IEMs, I routinely double patch all inputs so the band can mix/tweak themselves without messing FOH. Having 48 caps me at 24 channel show, or less if I want to add click track, MD mic, ambient mics etc, even if I were to add a stagebox for additional physical I/O

12 stereo mixes is great, something I wish I had - but the channel count on my Si Ex1 makes me appreciate that little desk even more right now.

It's 48 inputs, not 48 channels.  You can double-patch all 48 channels to your heart's content.  On the SQ-6, there are 144 channel strips.  So if you want to double-patch all 48 channels, that would use up 96 of the 144, giving you an additional 48 fader strips for anything else.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Mark Rombouts on October 26, 2017, 10:28:32 AM
It really is 48 input channels. Much more inputs possible with s link usb and expansion cards.

You can put a channel on more then one strip, but you can not do seperate processing on it. 
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on October 26, 2017, 10:46:25 AM
Much more inputs possible with s link usb and expansion cards.
I don't think this is the case.  If it is anything like the other A&H mixers, there are only a certain number of audio processing channels.  You can select the source, but but then that replaces something else.   48 is it.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on October 26, 2017, 10:53:38 AM
I'm happy to see the interest here, and I think this is a huge amount of desk for the money, but I think some expectations are getting out of whack for a $3500 desk.  It's not a DLive.  It's not even a GLD in several important ways.  It is definitely a significant upgrade to the Qu series, but draws a lot from that line.

A&H has made a fixed architecture desk that will be extremely useful to a lot of people, but you need to remember that it's a little teeny desk, and there are some limitations. 

The fact that people are mentioning this desk in the same breath as more expensive products is both encouraging and delusional, depending on your perspective.  Encouraging in the same way that the X32 before it has started to chip away at the snootiness of certain band engineers requesting ridiculous desks for small shows, but delusional in thinking that if a small provider buys one of these that they are getting $20,000 worth of desk.

It is what it is, and it ain't what it ain't.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Mark Rombouts on October 26, 2017, 10:54:24 AM
I don't think this is the case.  If it is anything like the other A&H mixers, there are only a certain number of audio processing channels.  You can select the source, but but then that replaces something else.   48 is it.

I see inputs as the ports available on the network and so there are more than 48. You have "only" 48 channels to patch an input to.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on October 26, 2017, 10:56:39 AM
I see inputs as the ports available on the network and so there are more than 48. You have "only" 48 channels to patch an input to.
Tell that to your client.  "I have a 64-channel desk, but I can only patch 48 of them.  Sorry, I patched your guitar into my system; I just can't get any audio out of it."
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on October 26, 2017, 01:23:11 PM
It's 48 inputs, not 48 channels.  You can double-patch all 48 channels to your heart's content.  On the SQ-6, there are 144 channel strips.  So if you want to double-patch all 48 channels, that would use up 96 of the 144, giving you an additional 48 fader strips for anything else.
That's not how A&H desks work.  The "control strips" are just handles.  There are 48 channels/processing channels, whatever you want to call them - places where audio flows and can be processed.  You can put multiple copies of the physical control all over the place on the desk, but you cannot process audio separately in the way you are suggesting.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Harvey on October 26, 2017, 01:30:05 PM
Anyone see a remote app mentioned ?  I would need that on day one.

Oh ... wait ... I spotted a quick shot of a tablet app at 0:22 and a PC app at 1:02 in the promo video.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Mark Rombouts on October 26, 2017, 01:31:04 PM
Tell that to your client.  "I have a 64-channel desk, but I can only patch 48 of them.  Sorry, I patched your guitar into my system; I just can't get any audio out of it."

I would not sell it as 64 ch ever.
But it can be nice to have more inputs on the network patchable.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Stephen Swaffer on October 26, 2017, 01:33:32 PM
Tell that to your client.  "I have a 64-channel desk, but I can only patch 48 of them.  Sorry, I patched your guitar into my system; I just can't get any audio out of it."

However, not entirely a useless capability-depending on your use.  We do some theatrical work-some mics I only need during certain scenes.  Re-patching via scene recall is doable if I understand correctly and in this use would work as nicely as a 64 channel desk.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrew Broughton on October 26, 2017, 01:34:41 PM
It's 48 inputs, not 48 channels.  You can double-patch all 48 channels to your heart's content.  On the SQ-6, there are 144 channel strips.  So if you want to double-patch all 48 channels, that would use up 96 of the 144, giving you an additional 48 fader strips for anything else.
People are confusing the words "Inputs", "Channels" and "Strips".
There are many more potential input connectors (maybe unlimited) than processing channels. There are only 48 processing channels. These can be placed anywhere within a number of custom banks, up to 144 locations. No additional processing. Think of "Strips" as "Faders", even though it's more than just fader adjustments.

If what you were saying were true, then a CL5 (a 72-channel desk) would be a 160 channel desk! It's not. It's got 72 processing channels, 64 simultaneous inputs (out of an infinite number) and multiple fader banks allowing up to 160 strips (regular faders + custom faders).
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on October 26, 2017, 01:39:25 PM
Anyone see a remote app mentioned ?  I would need that on day one.
IOS has been mentioned as coming soon.  No plans for a PC editor that I've heard of.

The A&H Facebook page is a good place for information - A&H people have answered a lot of questions.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Harvey on October 26, 2017, 01:43:06 PM
IOS has been mentioned as coming soon.  No plans for a PC editor that I've heard of.

The A&H Facebook page is a good place for information - A&H people have answered a lot of questions.

I just spotted a quick shot of a tablet app at 0:22 and a PC app at 1:02 in the promo video.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on October 26, 2017, 03:01:36 PM
IOS has been mentioned as coming soon.  No plans for a PC editor that I've heard of.

The A&H Facebook page is a good place for information - A&H people have answered a lot of questions.

One of the reply's state editor is coming Q1 2018 (along with a whole suite of other 'stuff')
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Art Nadelman on October 26, 2017, 05:34:56 PM
It really is 48 input channels. Much more inputs possible with s link usb and expansion cards.

You can put a channel on more then one strip, but you can not do seperate processing on it.

Each channel can be independently processed no matter how many times that input is assigned to a channel.  This is true across the QU, GLD, dLive and now the SQ line.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeremy Young on October 26, 2017, 06:23:47 PM
So, the SQ-6 is a QU-24 but with scribble scrips, built-in lights and optional Dante?  Cool!  Sure looks sleek.

I realize there are more differences (I've read all published pdf's front to back) but the scribble strip thing and lack of expansion card slot on the QU series always kept me away from considering them.  Not that I need this either at the moment...

I'm not sure I'm Dante-savvy enough to understand how a 64x64 Dante card is fully usable in a 48x36 mixer, but at least it's more than 32 (or 16) that other brands are offering at this price bracket. 

Perhaps A&H will pull something similar to Soundcraft (with their SI Impact) and allow more processing channels by way of a software update in a couple years.  A guy could hope...
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrew Broughton on October 26, 2017, 06:32:59 PM
Each channel can be independently processed no matter how many times that input is assigned to a channel.  This is true across the QU, GLD, dLive and now the SQ line.
Channel or Strip? Again you may be getting confused on the terminology.
You understand that it is a 48 CHANNEL desk, correct? Where the word Channel refers to a processing module (eq/comp/gate/fader/sends, etc.)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on October 26, 2017, 06:37:40 PM
Each channel can be independently processed no matter how many times that input is assigned to a channel.  This is true across the QU, GLD, dLive and now the SQ line.
physical jack yes, processing channel no. You have 48 processing channels, period. If you put two copies of processing channel 11 somewhere on the surface and you move the fader, the fader on the other page will move to match.

If you patch physical input 8 to processing channel 8 and processing channel 9 you have separate control, however you have now used two of your 48 channels for physical input 8.

This is true across the Qu and GLD which I have direct and significant experience with.

 The DLive i presume works similarly as well, however it is a much larger system, so you may not run into a practical limit with I believe 128 processing channels.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on October 26, 2017, 07:23:03 PM
I didn’t see any reference to ducking but a look at the functional schematic showed side chains on gates & comps.
I agree it is a nice upgrade from the QU. A slot for a Dante card, scribble strips, and the ability to add inputs above the base configuration (the SQ5 can have 16 local and another 24 on the stage for example unlike the QU16).



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Leonard on October 26, 2017, 07:59:46 PM
Channel or Strip? Again you may be getting confused on the terminology.
You understand that it is a 48 CHANNEL desk, correct? Where the word Channel refers to a processing module (eq/comp/gate/fader/sends, etc.)

Andrew,
In the Soundcraft world the number of controlled channels is determined by the number of layers x the number of input channels defined. If I clear my Performer and define every channel strip as a mono input, then my physical channel count can be no more than => the number of layers x the number physical faders on the board and physical inputs available for those channels.

In my case using a Performer 1 I can have no more than 60 physical channels to the mix with my current setup, and am currently maxed at 48 capable using a 32 channel stage box and the 24 inputs located on the rear of the board.

What people fail to see is that those physical channels are eaten by matrix and VCA, etc. depending on the board.

So, the SQ has 6 layers available, x 16 faders/physical channels implying a capability of up to 64 mono channels with stage boxes, etc.. However, you are correct, the literature states 48 channels, period.

The input limitation will always be the faders defined for input and the number of inputs available. I.E. If you have 16 inputs on the back of the board and no stage box or expansion you have a 16 channel board.

I think that's nit picking though. Certainly a better offering at the price range than many in it's class, not to mention few questions concerning reliability and service if needed.

I don't know if it's possible with A&H digital boards, but the channel count on my Performer can be extended using my Ipad allowing full use of up to 80 channels as long as you have that many inputs to the board (64 on the stage and 16 into the back of the board). Outputs do not effect inputs. 
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrew Broughton on October 26, 2017, 08:06:50 PM
The input limitation will always be the faders defined for input and the number of inputs available. I.E. If you have 16 inputs on the back of the board and no stage box or expansion you have a 16 channel board.

No, it's a board with 16 INPUTS. The x32core has 32 + 8 (limited) CHANNELS, but only a couple of inputs. On the QU and other boards, you can patch one INPUT to more than 1 channel. On the SQ, you could patch XLR#1 to all 48 channels if you want. It's still a 48 CHANNEL console.

Again, terminology is confusing the issue. Analogue analogies don't help.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: brian maddox on October 26, 2017, 08:22:57 PM
No, it's a board with 16 INPUTS. The x32core has 32 + 8 (limited) CHANNELS, but only a couple of inputs. On the QU and other boards, you can patch one INPUT to more than 1 channel. On the SQ, you could patch XLR#1 to all 48 channels if you want. It's still a 48 CHANNEL console.

Again, terminology is confusing the issue. Analogue analogies don't help.

Yeah, the terminology is often quite cumbersome.

I've taken to referring to the I/O of a console as inPORTS and outPORTS.  They are holes [Ports] in the desk that an audio signal can go through and enter the maze that is the mixer.  Once they are in the desk they get to queue up to jump on to one or more Channels, limited by how many Channels there are available. 

Channels Are the lanes that the audio signal can travel to get processed and perhaps blended with one another, and Busses are the Exit ramps that leads the Audio signal back out to the outPORTS and out to the outside world.

I know this little analogy is imperfect, but it does at least avoid some of the old analog terminology and i find that as long as i use it consistently, my training of others seems to go much more smoothly.

Aside:  I did find it interesting to learn that the Soundcraft [performer?] Channel count was actually limited by the number of handles available to adjust them and not by a processing limitation, either real or applied.  That's the first desk i've heard of for which that was true...

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on October 26, 2017, 09:27:19 PM
Andrew,
In the Soundcraft world...

So, the SQ has 6 layers available, x 16 faders/physical channels implying a capability of up to 64 mono channels with stage boxes, etc.. However, you are correct, the literature states 48 channels, period.

The input limitation will always be the faders defined for input and the number of inputs available. I.E. If you have 16 inputs on the back of the board and no stage box or expansion you have a 16 channel board.

I think that's nit picking though. Certainly a better offering at the price range than many in it's class, not to mention few questions concerning reliability and service if needed.

I don't know if it's possible with A&H digital boards, but the channel count on my Performer can be extended using my Ipad allowing full use of up to 80 channels as long as you have that many inputs to the board (64 on the stage and 16 into the back of the board). Outputs do not effect inputs.
Bob, The A&H architecture is different than Soundcraft's.  No matter how people try to slice and dice the board to make it mean something else or to draw parallels to other things, the Sq is a 48 channel max desk, that can select up to 48 channels out of potentially a larger number - the sum total of analog inputs on the surface, stage boxes, and expansion card.  If you don't own 48 channels worth of input hardware, then you have a 48-channel capable board that is not fully utilized.

The number of fader handles does not correspond to audio pathways in any way.  I can set up some inputs to processing channels and then delete the channels from the fader banks and the audio will still pass.  I can put the "lead vocal" processing channel on every fader of every page if I want.  It will work fine, and all faders on all pages will move together.  Not a very useful setup, but it would work if you wanted to for some reason.

These boards are very similar in layout to the GLD.  Anyone who is still unsure about how this works should go play with a GLD and it will make sense.  Anyone in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area is welcome to come over to my place.  I have two GLDs that you can practice patching, processing channel setup, and moving control strips around until your heart is content.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on October 26, 2017, 09:47:04 PM
On the GLD80 I got 80 fader positions. With 48 mix channels, I also add mix masters, matrix masters, fx returns, & DCAs. I can fill up the 80 pretty quick.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Trevor Jalla on October 26, 2017, 10:35:30 PM
Its my workflow bias but when I see "stereo mixes" I'd prioritise them as stereo IEM auxes instead of stereo subgroups to FOH, or broadcast / recording mixes etc.

So to me, 12 stereo mixes + 48 channel cap, seems at cross purposes. A&H marketing does however call it "The Ultimate IEM mixer" - but this is only true if it is a dedicated monitor board. I don't think you're going to get a 12pc band that doesn't need at least 24 channels. If they're on IEMs, the compromise is whether to give the artist pre-processing sends, or have their processing mirror FOH. To customise the pick-off point to suit each performer onstage would be far too cumbersome - which is why I double-patch, it takes the guesswork out.

I could happily upgrade my Si Ex1 + 32stagebox setup, but I'd need TWO SQ desks. And that my yet happen - however one alone would for me be a lateral move.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on October 27, 2017, 08:26:37 AM
Its my workflow bias but when I see "stereo mixes" I'd prioritise them as stereo IEM auxes instead of stereo subgroups to FOH, or broadcast / recording mixes etc.

So to me, 12 stereo mixes + 48 channel cap, seems at cross purposes. A&H marketing does however call it "The Ultimate IEM mixer" - but this is only true if it is a dedicated monitor board. I don't think you're going to get a 12pc band that doesn't need at least 24 channels. If they're on IEMs, the compromise is whether to give the artist pre-processing sends, or have their processing mirror FOH. To customise the pick-off point to suit each performer onstage would be far too cumbersome - which is why I double-patch, it takes the guesswork out.

I could happily upgrade my Si Ex1 + 32stagebox setup, but I'd need TWO SQ desks. And that my yet happen - however one alone would for me be a lateral move.
Do you really need to split every input?  What problems are you trying to solve?  I've never understood this workflow.  Do your mains sound radically different than your IEMs?  In every case I can think of, the problems that I'm solving are on the input channel, and my changes are beneficial for both mains and monitors.  Also, if you do split every channel, do you really do sound check twice?  It seems to me that what would happen in practice is most of the time would be spent on the house mix, and most of the split channels left at 0, which seems a worse situation than not splitting.

The A&H boards allow monitors to be pre dynamics, which solves the only reason I've ever had to split channels, other than once in a blue moon where a vocalist requests changes to their EQ for their wedges, which can be easily done by splitting that one channel.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Leonard on October 27, 2017, 10:23:41 AM
Its my workflow bias but when I see "stereo mixes" I'd prioritise them as stereo IEM auxes instead of stereo subgroups to FOH, or broadcast / recording mixes etc.

So to me, 12 stereo mixes + 48 channel cap, seems at cross purposes. A&H marketing does however call it "The Ultimate IEM mixer" - but this is only true if it is a dedicated monitor board. I don't think you're going to get a 12pc band that doesn't need at least 24 channels. If they're on IEMs, the compromise is whether to give the artist pre-processing sends, or have their processing mirror FOH. To customise the pick-off point to suit each performer onstage would be far too cumbersome - which is why I double-patch, it takes the guesswork out.

I could happily upgrade my Si Ex1 + 32stagebox setup, but I'd need TWO SQ desks. And that my yet happen - however one alone would for me be a lateral move.

So if you're using an Si series board anything being input to the board can be assigned to a mix group. In your case you have 14 separate outputs for the mix groups(mono), or you can assign two outputs to a group and make it whatever you want. You don't usually need stereo for an iem as long as you remember any input to any group at any level.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Leonard on October 27, 2017, 10:26:09 AM
Bob, The A&H architecture is different than Soundcraft's.  No matter how people try to slice and dice the board to make it mean something else or to draw parallels to other things, the Sq is a 48 channel max desk, that can select up to 48 channels out of potentially a larger number - the sum total of analog inputs on the surface, stage boxes, and expansion card.  If you don't own 48 channels worth of input hardware, then you have a 48-channel capable board that is not fully utilized.

The number of fader handles does not correspond to audio pathways in any way.  I can set up some inputs to processing channels and then delete the channels from the fader banks and the audio will still pass.  I can put the "lead vocal" processing channel on every fader of every page if I want.  It will work fine, and all faders on all pages will move together.  Not a very useful setup, but it would work if you wanted to for some reason.

These boards are very similar in layout to the GLD.  Anyone who is still unsure about how this works should go play with a GLD and it will make sense.  Anyone in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area is welcome to come over to my place.  I have two GLDs that you can practice patching, processing channel setup, and moving control strips around until your heart is content.


I had said above it was a 48 channel board. It's all semantics TJ.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on October 27, 2017, 11:48:07 AM
Do you really need to split every input?  What problems are you trying to solve?  I've never understood this workflow.  Do your mains sound radically different than your IEMs?  In every case I can think of, the problems that I'm solving are on the input channel, and my changes are beneficial for both mains and monitors.  Also, if you do split every channel, do you really do sound check twice?  It seems to me that what would happen in practice is most of the time would be spent on the house mix, and most of the split channels left at 0, which seems a worse situation than not splitting.

The A&H boards allow monitors to be pre dynamics, which solves the only reason I've ever had to split channels, other than once in a blue moon where a vocalist requests changes to their EQ for their wedges, which can be easily done by splitting that one channel.

Agreed. When I split for monitors, it is usually only vocals so if needed I can eq as needed or add verb to mons but not House.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Trevor Jalla on October 27, 2017, 12:42:14 PM
TJ, Rob

During FOH soundcheck, monitor guy mixes ears or the band do it themselves on device. Also, earpieces can have very different EQ biases - some musicians might run your standard SE215s, the lead singer might have some 12-driver CIEMs. Each voiced probably quite different from FOH tuning. Channel settings may or may not work. 100% separation saves alot of time and confusion, keeps the band happy and the process smoother.

I'm also a musician who uses IEMs onstage so I'm sympathetic / biased towards performer comfort. 48 channel cap detracts from the "Ultimate IEM Console" angle that A&H are shooting for, IMO. I'd say dLive gets that title.

Splitting for wedges is entirely different. I only split vox and maybe acoustic guitar. Keys get pre-dynamic pickoff.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on October 27, 2017, 01:10:34 PM
TJ, Rob

During FOH soundcheck, monitor guy mixes ears or the band do it themselves on device. Also, earpieces can have very different EQ biases - some musicians might run your standard SE215s, the lead singer might have some 12-driver CIEMs. Each voiced probably quite different from FOH tuning. Channel settings may or may not work. 100% separation saves alot of time and confusion, keeps the band happy and the process smoother.

I'm also a musician who uses IEMs onstage so I'm sympathetic / biased towards performer comfort. 48 channel cap detracts from the "Ultimate IEM Console" angle that A&H are shooting for, IMO. I'd say dLive gets that title.

Splitting for wedges is entirely different. I only split vox and maybe acoustic guitar. Keys get pre-dynamic pickoff.
How do your bandmates decide who gets to EQ stuff for their particular in-ear model?  They all share the monitor layer I presume, so you're just moving the problem from mains vs monitors to between different monitor models, which to your point may sound as different from each other as from FOH. 

I would handle IEM differences with PEQ on the send, not in individual channels.  As I don't keep a set of every model of in-ear bud, I'm not sure how I would even know what changes to make from FOH anyway.

I can see your method working if you always have the same band that is very competent, but otherwise I can't see that workflow being practical for the band-du-jour work that I do, which is for what it's worth is 85% IEMs, so I'm not unfamiliar.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on October 27, 2017, 01:27:20 PM
More info:

Its about the same size & weight as QU24 too.

SQu-6 (w x d x h) (638mm/25.1" x 515mm/20.3" x 198mm/7.8") 29.4lb
Qu-24 (w x d x h) (632mm/24.9" x 496mm/19.5" x 186mm/7.3") 31.0lb

Looks like they just slightly changed the chassis. Probably because the QU manufacturing process could be re-used.

I think its funny how the "Qu" is in the model name. Making the 'S' seem like "super Qu." Then the marketing team said no, lets name it SQ haha.

---

Things I'm somewhat curious about.

-Gain tracking.

-Linking consoles. [Do we gain access to all 48 input channels using both boards or does linking boards require the usage of a DX (giACE) card and using

-If consoles are linked and one has the ACE card for remote stage rack, can we still use Waves/Dante card in FOH mixer for processing?

-Why can't we split the St-Mixes up (simple software change, use the 'pan' feature per channel monitor the 'send' per mix) [press mix1/2 button twice to switch between mixing mix1 or mix 2].

-The IO is 64x64...why are we limited to 36 (32???) busses?

48ch + 16FX (8st) = 64 inputs

12 st mix (24mono) + LR + 3 st Mtx = 32, where are the other 32 (or 4 if 36 busses is correct)? [maybe this has since been revised?]

-When running mixed 48kHz & 96kHz inputs how does the console handle latency? rise to 1.4ms when ANY 48kHz input is detected?

-when and what are we getting for the channel specific inserts (pre-amp models? compressor models? etc?) [Is that like GLD's multiple compressor models for every channel?]

-Is it really 8 stereo FX? I only see 4 FX buttons...

---

This seems to replace Qu series in a lot of ways, unless the price point of QU goes down I don't see anyone buying Qu.

This also has plenty of features from GLD. I know there's been plenty of 'talk' but from my perspective, besides the buss architecture being fixed (which could easily be fixed in software) I don't see how it is much/if any different than GLD and in some ways is better. (multi-track, app support, etc)

I'm curious what this new software update for GLD will be. Mainly since GLD seems to have been forgotten... Hopefully they will release apps for phones like Qu-You which will make GLD competitive again...
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Trevor Jalla on October 27, 2017, 01:40:27 PM
How do your bandmates decide who gets to EQ stuff for their particular in-ear model?  They all share the monitor layer I presume, so you're just moving the problem from mains vs monitors to between different monitor models, which to your point may sound as different from each other as from FOH. 

I would handle IEM differences with PEQ on the send, not in individual channels.  As I don't keep a set of every model of in-ear bud, I'm not sure how I would even know what changes to make from FOH anyway.

I can see your method working if you always have the same band that is very competent, but otherwise I can't see that workflow being practical for the band-du-jour work that I do, which is for what it's worth is 85% IEMs, so I'm not unfamiliar.

Each performer gets priority on their voice/instrument. Its not like the keys player gets a say on his/her preferred kick drum sound - the drummer does. Every one gets to sound good to themselves.

When I supply my own earbuds (AT IM70) I have PEQ curve preset to bring them back to relative flatness, but even for other earpiece models a dedicated channel strip goes a long way.

I supply and operate for a bunch of working bands, but indeed I am lucky - they are all extremely competent.
 
This is getting away from the SQ topic. Heck, maybe my IEM workflow is overbaked, and maybe the SQ is indeed the ultimate IEM console. Between my G3 EW300s and wired packs, I could use up all 12 of the SQs stereo mixes. I don't always need more than 8 or 9 (6pc cover band plus 3x horns for example) but I have often wished for more than the 6 of my Soundcraft. Should I then be content with 48 channels, and treat it as *not being a compromise? Perhaps, but I'm not sure just yet.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: brian maddox on October 27, 2017, 01:50:05 PM
Each performer gets priority on their voice/instrument. Its not like the keys player gets a say on his/her preferred kick drum sound - the drummer does. Every one gets to sound good to themselves.

...

This seems a perfectly reasonable way to approach things...

I will say this is one place where the SAC approach is kinda amazing since every performer gets essentially their own console.  Of course, with great power comes great responsibility.  :)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Branimir Bozak on October 27, 2017, 05:14:31 PM
Hm, everybody is talking about channel count...

Back in the analog days, we used to do monitors with 40 channel MH2's or 48 channel M7CL's, sure, you had to skip sometimes hats or overheads, but those were the days of wedges, and not in ears... If I was to mix a band with 40 inputs and 8 to 10 performers in stereo in-ears these days - I would charge that a lot and rent out a proper desk, not this hatchback friendly sized console.

I know, I don't own a rental company, I'm a touring FOH sound tech, and tour with my own console. The only thing I care is the sound, summing and overall quality of the console - if it will die or not, and if the eq's and comps work good, that's the basic starting point for me.

Personally, I think the Digico S series (S21/S31) is far superior to anything it this low cost class. It's 96kHz, sounds stellar, great definition, sound, summing, eq is good, compressor is good, etc. I'm not going into details about how I dislike the touchscreen and the fact the buttons are almost useless most the time...

With Allen & Heath going for this compact format with 96kHz, I'm interested in it.
The QU series had a major flaw - you could not duplicate the channel, so you could not have lead vox for FOH and an another channel gain sharing the lead vox for monitors - that put me off.
I use the Si Expression, and while it's practical - it's nowhere near the sound quality of the Digico S, and not to mention the Vi1, which is around 10k Euros and is also not in the same ballpark as the Digico S series soundwise.

Different things for different people.
If the SQ-6 is road worthy and can sound better than the M32 and alike, I'm totally interested! The local inputs are enough to flow my boat at the moment!
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Steve Litcher on October 27, 2017, 11:57:16 PM
I had a chance to touch/feel/play around with the SQ-5 today at the Full Compass 40th Anniversary party. There was an A&H booth there, and tucked in the corner was a brand new SQ-5.

It was running beta software, but from what I got to see of it, it looks and feels quite solid. They had a dLive C1500 sitting next to it.

The faders on the SQ-5 are *niiiiice* - really solid, really smooth. They apparently have two rails instead of the single rail found on most other lower-priced boards.

I wasn't able to hear anything from it, but the workflow seems intuitive. The display was sharp, and the dLive-like LED lights are really nice.

There were tons of people there, so I only had a few minutes with it. Not enough to learn much, but it looks quite solid. It'll be interesting to hear it, and to see how the non-beta software behaves.

Not sure if this'll work or not... I snapped a quick phone photo:

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22813947_1872315523083903_5084730173677968742_n.jpg?oh=1c46554d766f5b1544cad8adfe838058&oe=5A789DC9p)

If it doesn't work, it's on our Facebook feed @608soundandlight
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Mark Amber on October 29, 2017, 06:36:22 PM
So, the SQ-6 is a QU-24 but with scribble scrips, built-in lights and optional Dante?  Cool!  Sure looks sleek.

I realize there are more differences (I've read all published pdf's front to back) but the scribble strip thing and lack of expansion card slot on the QU series always kept me away from considering them.  Not that I need this either at the moment...

I'm not sure I'm Dante-savvy enough to understand how a 64x64 Dante card is fully usable in a 48x36 mixer, but at least it's more than 32 (or 16) that other brands are offering at this price bracket. 

Perhaps A&H will pull something similar to Soundcraft (with their SI Impact) and allow more processing channels by way of a software update in a couple years.  A guy could hope...
48 input desk plus extra channels directly to Dante (crowd mics, effect returns, LR live mix) and plug in processing at least I can do that on my GLD.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: brian maddox on October 29, 2017, 09:35:23 PM
....

I'm not sure I'm Dante-savvy enough to understand how a 64x64 Dante card is fully usable in a 48x36 mixer, but at least it's more than 32 (or 16) that other brands are offering at this price bracket. 



Think Waves plugins on insert points and you can see how 64x64 I/O can get chewed up pretty quickly.  Dugan Automix on all 32 of those desktop mics. No problem. Plus 32 channels of ISO record via Dante Virtual Soundcard.

In truth the Audinate chip provides for 64x64 and A&H uses this Dante card for all their consoles, so it just makes sense to use the same card for this desk.  But I could chew up that whole card on a show with this desk very easily.  I do it all the time on a QL5 Which has about the same I/O count as this desk.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeremy Young on October 29, 2017, 09:55:13 PM
Duh, if your processing is outside the DSP of the mixer, it makes more sense.  Thanks for explaining that!

I’m a Dante noob, only used it so far for multitrack recording post-preamp into a daw, and BG music playback from iTunes on my laptop. Good to know there’s so much more to explore.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jonathan Wiegratz on October 29, 2017, 10:46:53 PM
One item I haven't seen anyone comment on is the rackmounting of the SQ-5.    We currently use our QU16 in an Audiopile Slant-rack case... with the board sitting completely flat in the slant-rack.   It appears (from the photo on the A&H website : http://www.allen-heath.com/media/SQ-5-Rack.jpg (http://www.allen-heath.com/media/SQ-5-Rack.jpg) ) that the SQ-5 sits fairly high/upright when racked.   This will cause a bit of an issue with our mix-rack case, as we only have about 2 3/4" of height from the slant-rack rails, to the top of the case, when the lid is put on for transport.

Is there any solution available, (rack tray, different mount, or otherwise) so the rear of the unit sits lower?  The SQ-5 is honestly the mixer we've been waiting for, for quite some time.   Hoping someone here has run into this before with competing boards... (M32R, dLive C1500, TF1, etc..)  whose found a solution!

Thx in advance!  :)

Edits for grammar corrections / clarity.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Douglas R. Allen on October 30, 2017, 04:32:19 AM
One item I haven't seen anyone comment on is the rackmounting of the SQ-5.    We currently use our QU16 in an Audiopile Slant-rack case... with the board sitting completely flat in the slant-rack.   It appears (from the photo on the A&H website : http://www.allen-heath.com/media/SQ-5-Rack.jpg (http://www.allen-heath.com/media/SQ-5-Rack.jpg) ) that the SQ-5 sits fairly high/upright when racked.   This will cause a bit of an issue with our mix-rack case, as we only have about 2 3/4" of height from the slant-rack rails, to the top of the case, when the lid is put on for transport.

Is there any solution available, (rack tray, different mount, or otherwise) so the rear of the unit sits lower?  The SQ-5 is honestly the mixer we've been waiting for, for quite some time.   Hoping someone here has run into this before with competing boards... (M32R, dLive C1500, TF1, etc..)  whose found a solution!

Thx in advance!  :)

Edits for grammar corrections / clarity.

I use a Audiopile MXC-M32R case for my M32R.  Works like it should.

http://www.audiopile.net/MXC-M32R#tab-5

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jonathan Wiegratz on October 30, 2017, 10:31:50 AM
I use a Audiopile MXC-M32R case for my M32R.  Works like it should.

Hi Douglas,  Thanks for the response!   Indeed -- for a standalone/purpose-built case like that, it will definitely work.

I'm referring to the Slant-Top Mix Rack cases : http://www.audiopile.net/CUDJ-P-22
We keep our QU16 mounted in the top (with all wireless mic + iem units / furman regulator / etc below),  which then articulates up when in use... then lays flat when being stored/transported.  The lid/cover only gives about 3" of height above the top of the rack.   It appears the SQ-5 is 6" or so tall above when racked....   so we'd need some way to set the SQ5 in a tray, lower in the slant-rack... or have it articulate backwards/downwards.

Hoping I'm making sense here.   :o



Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on October 30, 2017, 10:51:21 AM
Hi Douglas,  Thanks for the response!   Indeed -- for a standalone/purpose-built case like that, it will definitely work.

I'm referring to the Slant-Top Mix Rack cases : http://www.audiopile.net/CUDJ-P-22
We keep our QU16 mounted in the top (with all wireless mic + iem units / furman regulator / etc below),  which then articulates up when in use... then lays flat when being stored/transported.  The lid/cover only gives about 3" of height above the top of the rack.   It appears the SQ-5 is 6" or so tall above when racked....   so we'd need some way to set the SQ5 in a tray, lower in the slant-rack... or have it articulate backwards/downwards.

Hoping I'm making sense here.   :o

Maybe you could remove the moving rack rails and install a shelf to sit the mixer on? Tilting it up will not improve access.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jonathan Wiegratz on October 30, 2017, 11:01:42 AM
Maybe you could remove the moving rack rails and install a shelf to sit the mixer on? Tilting it up will not improve access.


Hi Rob,   That was my first thought as well.   The moving rails are rivetted in, so we'd drill them out and plug them.
I just found this, which might fit the bill -- http://www.odysseygear.com/odyssey-products/arstc.html

Although certainly curious if there's other suggestions / solutions.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Douglas R. Allen on October 30, 2017, 11:51:48 AM
Hi Douglas,  Thanks for the response!   Indeed -- for a standalone/purpose-built case like that, it will definitely work.

I'm referring to the Slant-Top Mix Rack cases : http://www.audiopile.net/CUDJ-P-22
We keep our QU16 mounted in the top (with all wireless mic + iem units / furman regulator / etc below),  which then articulates up when in use... then lays flat when being stored/transported.  The lid/cover only gives about 3" of height above the top of the rack.   It appears the SQ-5 is 6" or so tall above when racked....   so we'd need some way to set the SQ5 in a tray, lower in the slant-rack... or have it articulate backwards/downwards.

Hoping I'm making sense here.   :o
 


Got it. Don't know if your looking for new but I "believe" that same rack has a check box on it so it will fit a m32r. Might be worth a look anyway.

Douglas R. Allen
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: jim whitmer on October 30, 2017, 01:21:33 PM
Hi Douglas,  Thanks for the response!   Indeed -- for a standalone/purpose-built case like that, it will definitely work.

I'm referring to the Slant-Top Mix Rack cases : http://www.audiopile.net/CUDJ-P-22
We keep our QU16 mounted in the top (with all wireless mic + iem units / furman regulator / etc below),  which then articulates up when in use... then lays flat when being stored/transported.  The lid/cover only gives about 3" of height above the top of the rack.   It appears the SQ-5 is 6" or so tall above when racked....   so we'd need some way to set the SQ5 in a tray, lower in the slant-rack... or have it articulate backwards/downwards.

Hoping I'm making sense here.   :o

I used that exact rack for the M32R. I just drilled a couple extra holes in some generic rack brackets to angle the board down a bit and utilized other predrilled holes in the frame of the mixer. I think they may have been LS9 16 mounting brackets.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jonathan Wiegratz on October 30, 2017, 01:28:05 PM
I used that exact rack for the M32R. I just drilled a couple extra holes in some generic rack brackets to angle the board down a bit and utilized other predrilled holes in the frame of the mixer. I think they may have been LS9 16 mounting brackets.

Jim - you're the man!  Can you possibly post some photos of the handywork?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on October 30, 2017, 03:51:51 PM
One item I haven't seen anyone comment on is the rackmounting of the SQ-5.    We currently use our QU16... snip.

0.3" or 8mm difference.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jonathan Wiegratz on October 30, 2017, 03:56:47 PM
0.3" or 8mm difference.

Unfortunately, you've provided numbers for "Desk" mounted height.  IE; laying on a table.  Not rack mounted height, with how 'high' it sits above the rack rails.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on October 30, 2017, 04:11:11 PM
Unfortunately, you've provided numbers for "Desk" mounted height.  IE; laying on a table.  Not rack mounted height, with how 'high' it sits above the rack rails.

I thought about that, I saw the line drawings at one point, but I believe A&H took them down. I still think I provided useful info because I provided a worse case scenario. The primary chassis of the SQ board is still the QU series, they just filled in the bottom 'L' shape with XCVI core...

Granted, that doesn't account for the new led strip at the top. (probably the .3")
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jonathan Wiegratz on October 30, 2017, 04:26:01 PM
I thought about that, I saw the line drawings at one point, but I believe A&H took them down. I still think I provided useful info because I provided a worse case scenario. The primary chassis of the SQ board is still the QU series, they just filled in the bottom 'L' shape with XCVI core...

Granted, that doesn't account for the new led strip at the top. (probably the .3")

Here's the image, right from A&H, showing how high it sits above the rack-rail height.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on October 30, 2017, 06:02:23 PM
Here is the latest video on the SQ from Allen & Heath -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSR4AUP3kjU
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Leonard on October 31, 2017, 07:15:03 AM
Hi Rob,   That was my first thought as well.   The moving rails are rivetted in, so we'd drill them out and plug them.
I just found this, which might fit the bill -- http://www.odysseygear.com/odyssey-products/arstc.html

Although certainly curious if there's other suggestions / solutions.

I use the same Audiopile rack and a quick test would be to tilt the flat board all the way up and see if the cover goes on, then measure the height to check for fit . You can also drop the tilt rails down a few U. This will require some work, but that will be your choice.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jonathan Wiegratz on October 31, 2017, 08:17:33 AM
I use the same Audiopile rack and a quick test would be to tilt the flat board all the way up and see if the cover goes on, then measure the height to check for fit . You can also drop the tilt rails down a few U. This will require some work, but that will be your choice.

Hi Bob, thanks for the suggestion.  Indeed, drilling out the rivets on the tilt rails and moving them down does appear like an option... although I'd like to avoid hacking up the case.  Seems as though I may be able to get away with putting a 4-post rack tray in the top mounting slot of the vertical rack; then having the SQ-5 simply free-stand on that.  (Perhaps secure it with velcro on the underside)
http://sierracases.com/rackit-4-post-mounting-ssr-shelves
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Mark Amber on October 31, 2017, 11:11:28 AM
Do we think this chassis will be large enough that it will want to be in a rolling case with a doghouse and slot underneath for TalkBack mic and snacks or is this going to fit more in a pull over lid case? Doesn't look quite as tall as a QL1 which is what I'm hoping this can kinda compete with.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: richard_cooper on October 31, 2017, 11:22:50 AM
Doesn't look quite as tall as a QL1 which is what I'm hoping this can kinda compete with.

Looks like the QL1 is 272mm high, the SQ-5 198mm
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Eric Wiebe on October 31, 2017, 02:35:45 PM
Although certainly curious if there's other suggestions / solutions.

Would it be possible to obtain or build a deeper top lid? That way you wouldn't need to modify the rails at all and the mixer would still be secure.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Chris Eddison on October 31, 2017, 06:57:00 PM
I’m starting to think about the successor to my trusty Roland M480. I was looking at D-Live but it was a big stretch financially. This could be the answer.
Only thing I’m not particularly keen on is the chromatic metering. Appears to be one LED that changes colour as the level changes. I understand it’s built to a price point, but as someone mixing theatre decent metering is a big deal when hunting for a faulty radio mic. I’d really prefer at least a 5 step led meter. At this price point though I guess I can’t complain too much.

I’ll be really interested to see the capabilities of the scene recalls. Particularly the ability to set the recall scope and also to see if DCA assignment, layer layout and DCA labelling can change on a cue by cue basis. That’d make for a fantastic console for regional theatre work.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Scott Bolt on October 31, 2017, 08:54:10 PM
I’m starting to think about the successor to my trusty Roland M480. I was looking at D-Live but it was a big stretch financially. This could be the answer.
Only thing I’m not particularly keen on is the chromatic metering. Appears to be one LED that changes colour as the level changes. I understand it’s built to a price point, but as someone mixing theatre decent metering is a big deal when hunting for a faulty radio mic. I’d really prefer at least a 5 step led meter. At this price point though I guess I can’t complain too much.

I’ll be really interested to see the capabilities of the scene recalls. Particularly the ability to set the recall scope and also to see if DCA assignment, layer layout and DCA labelling can change on a cue by cue basis. That’d make for a fantastic console for regional theatre work.
I noticed the same thing.  I will be a little less kind than you and say it was just a stupid place to save a few dollars.  Really?  A single LED? 

As for this price point, the X32 has 5.  Si Expression has 4, Impact has 4, Qu has 3.  This mixer is more expensive than all of these mixers and has 1?

On the positive side, the mixer is going to sound great I am sure.  That is what really counts, but it is a shame they botched this detail IMO.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Leonard on October 31, 2017, 10:37:04 PM
It could be a multi color LED Scott, and that would be fine. Also, I don't know if this board is similar to the Si series in this case, but I see there are output LEDs to the right of the screen. Maybe they follow fader select similar to the Soundcraft products. I just need to know if I'm starting to clip, and if I needed fine increments of output I'll look at the on screen bubble, but no clip = I'm fine.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on November 01, 2017, 03:31:20 AM
It could be a multi color LED Scott, and that would be fine. Also, I don't know if this board is similar to the Si series in this case, but I see there are output LEDs to the right of the screen. Maybe they follow fader select similar to the Soundcraft products. I just need to know if I'm starting to clip, and if I needed fine increments of output I'll look at the on screen bubble, but no clip = I'm fine.

Hi Bob - have a look at the link to the video I posted above.  The LEDs are multi-color, the output meters are PAFL and there is also metering on the screen. 
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Douglas R. Allen on November 01, 2017, 05:39:28 AM
Hi Bob - have a look at the link to the video I posted above.  The LEDs are multi-color, the output meters are PAFL and there is also metering on the screen.


I'm sure multi-color meters are fine for most people. But if they are like me color blind then its not as easy as one would think. The different brightness of the color need to be stand out different for me to see it. I see things the same way as if your looking at a black and white tv.

Douglas R. Allen
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on November 01, 2017, 08:43:52 AM
I’m starting to think about the successor to my trusty Roland M480. I was looking at D-Live but it was a big stretch financially. This could be the answer.
Only thing I’m not particularly keen on is the chromatic metering. Appears to be one LED that changes colour as the level changes. I understand it’s built to a price point, but as someone mixing theatre decent metering is a big deal when hunting for a faulty radio mic. I’d really prefer at least a 5 step led meter. At this price point though I guess I can’t complain too much.
Remember that these desks have fewer faders than channels, so even if you had a 10-segment meter, you would only see the meters for the channels assigned to the layer you were looking at.

A&H has a solution though - a full meter page.  Press the third button from the left under the screen and the display switches to show meters for all 48 input channels at the same time.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Mark Amber on November 01, 2017, 08:44:11 AM

I'm sure multi-color meters are fine for most people. But if they are like me color blind then its not as easy as one would think. The different brightness of the color need to be stand out different for me to see it. I see things the same way as if your looking at a black and white tv.

Douglas R. Allen
That might be annoying. I assume green appears brighter than yellow and still brighter than red... So it might be hard to differentiate "no signal" from "clipping" in a sufficiently well lit place.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on November 01, 2017, 08:51:51 AM
Remember that these desks have fewer faders than channels, so even if you had a 10-segment meter, you would only see the meters for the channels assigned to the layer you were looking at.

A&H has a solution though - a full meter page.  Press the third button from the left under the screen and the display switches to show meters for all 48 input channels at the same time.

 ;)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on November 01, 2017, 08:56:10 AM
That might be annoying. I assume green appears brighter than yellow and still brighter than red... So it might be hard to differentiate "no signal" from "clipping" in a sufficiently well lit place.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

There is a separate peak light  :) ... I have not seen an SQ yet, but I'm sure they have worked all this out.  I don't expect the metering or many of the other features to match our dLive, but its not the same $$$. 
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Frank Koenig on November 01, 2017, 01:03:19 PM
A&H appears to be on par, or perhaps a little ahead of the others, when it comes to user interface design. I like the slightly irregular placement of controls and different shaped buttons that makes them easier to identify quickly.

But A&H, and many others, are still fast and loose when it comes to representing critical information as color alone. About 10% of the male population (it's lower among females) has some degree of color blindness, and even those with good color vision can have trouble under difficult lighting. One should NEVER represent critical information as color alone. When using color as a supplementary representation, I think one should, to the extent possible, stick to the convention of green = nominal, yellow = warning or critical, and red = never exceed -- which most LED level meters do. For indicating a binary state white = asserted and black = negated.

What really gets me are the screen buttons on Powersoft's Armonia that switch between yellow and brown (different brightnesses of the same color) to indicate asserted or negated. You can't tell what state it's in by just looking at it in isolation. You have to know the shades  ::)

Anyway, rant off. The new desk looks awesome and I love the dLive, the QU-Pack maybe not quite as much.

-F
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on November 01, 2017, 01:30:48 PM
A&H appears to be on par, or perhaps a little ahead of the others, when it comes to user interface design. I like the slightly irregular placement of controls and different shaped buttons that makes them easier to identify quickly.

But A&H, and many others, are still fast and loose when it comes to representing critical information as color alone. About 10% of the male population (it's lower among females) has some degree of color blindness, and even those with good color vision can have trouble under difficult lighting. One should NEVER represent critical information as color alone. When using color as a supplementary representation, I think one should, to the extent possible, stick to the convention of green = nominal, yellow = warning or critical, and red = never exceed -- which most LED level meters do. For indicating a binary state white = asserted and black = negated.

What really gets me are the screen buttons on Powersoft's Armonia that switch between yellow and brown (different brightnesses of the same color) to indicate asserted or negated. You can't tell what state it's in by just looking at it in isolation. You have to know the shades  ::)

Anyway, rant off. The new desk looks awesome and I love the dLive, the QU-Pack maybe not quite as much.

-F
Frank, your conventions are reasonable, for sure.

As I mentioned in another place, the SQ series mixers are equipped extremely well for the price, meaning some people are considering them for situations where until recently $20,000 desks were the norm.  The glass-half-full folks are in awe of the feature list for the price.  The glass-half-empty folks are annoyed that the SQ series has only 95% of the functionality of the $20,000 desk they were looking at, such as fewer segments on the channel meters.  :)

The meter page solves this problem with one button press for all channels, and the nature of modern digital boards is that there's so much headroom, gain structure is extremely forgiving, so an absolute level target is much less necessary: if your head amp is within 20dB of whatever your target is, you can almost certainly work around it downstream.

I think my least favorite feature of the SQ is the early-Yamaha-like EQ control scheme - EQ band selection buttons and only one set of knobs.  This is one area where a larger desk like the GLD or DLive has a meaningful ergonomic advantage over the bantam-sized SQ.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Stephen Kirby on November 01, 2017, 05:56:40 PM
I think my least favorite feature of the SQ is the early-Yamaha-like EQ control scheme - EQ band selection buttons and only one set of knobs.  This is one area where a larger desk like the GLD or DLive has a meaningful ergonomic advantage over the bantam-sized SQ.
Even the Qu has discrete eq encoders.  For me, this is what separated the Qu and Soundcraft boards from the Behringer and older Yamaha stuff.  On my Ex2, two moves get me what I want, even faster than searching out a discrete knob on my old GL.  Disappointing to see A&H go backwards.  Especially since they were the first folks I saw with a complete channel strip.  Varsity boards with large screens use a different UI but get away with it because you can still find stuff quickly on all that real estate.  This is neither fish nor fowl.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Scott Bolt on November 01, 2017, 07:17:00 PM
It could be a multi color LED Scott, and that would be fine. Also, I don't know if this board is similar to the Si series in this case, but I see there are output LEDs to the right of the screen. Maybe they follow fader select similar to the Soundcraft products. I just need to know if I'm starting to clip, and if I needed fine increments of output I'll look at the on screen bubble, but no clip = I'm fine.

Yea Bob, I think it is based on the videos I have seen. 

I get it, I just think that the incremental price difference would have been worth it.

As pointed out, having the full meter bridge on-screen is a decent work around.

I also agree with others that going to the Behringer-esque PEQ is also very annoying.  It is my biggest gripe with the X32 family.

Again .... having said all this, getting the DLive processing engine in a sub 3K package is nothing short of amazing.  I have no doubt at all that this mixer is going to sound better than all other mixers in its price range due to this fact.

I think it was the right move for A&H.  Being a design engineer myself, the idea of having a single FPGA code base for your entire product line (assuming that the Qu will eventually die out in favor of the SQ) makes an enormous amount of financial sense.

Where things are headed is that there will be NO difference in sound quality between the high end and low end mixers.  There will only be differences in features and control surface ability.  If you are sitting where I am, this sounds (pun intended) like a pretty good thing :)

Additionally, I have always had a special spot in my heart for A&H.  They just make very solid products.  Loved my MixWiz, and still love my little ZED 10Fx (which I continue to recommend for small mixing chores).

I felt that A&H missed the boat a little on the Qu.  I think the SQ is going to be a winner for them.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on November 01, 2017, 07:24:08 PM
Even the Qu has discrete eq encoders.  For me, this is what separated the Qu and Soundcraft boards from the Behringer and older Yamaha stuff.  On my Ex2, two moves get me what I want, even faster than searching out a discrete knob on my old GL.  Disappointing to see A&H go backwards.  Especially since they were the first folks I saw with a complete channel strip.  Varsity boards with large screens use a different UI but get away with it because you can still find stuff quickly on all that real estate.  This is neither fish nor fowl.

I'm not sure this will be an issue - I never use the discrete knobs on the Qu, I always touch the EQ functions (gain,Q, frequency) on the screen and turn the master screen knob.  I find this faster than going to the discrete tone control knobs which are located to the left of the screen.

With the DLive I do use the discrete knobs for each function.  There is more real-estate on the DLive and they have been able to locate the knobs directly below the screen  so I can easily look at the screen and adjust the tone controls. Ergonomically this seems to work.

If you look carefully how they have laid out the knobs and select buttons on the SQ in may work much better than you think - I guess I will find out when mine arrives :-)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Douglas R. Allen on November 01, 2017, 07:34:23 PM
That might be annoying. I assume green appears brighter than yellow and still brighter than red... So it might be hard to differentiate "no signal" from "clipping" in a sufficiently well lit place.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

To me red is dark, green a little brighter, then yellow the brightest. But in a normal lighted room to brighter outside I'm not so good... I see things from dark to light.  It is tough.  People talking to me about color is like you trying to tell me what a hamburger taste like if I've never ate one.  If you've never had one you'll just never know.  On the plus side I do see shades better than most. A blonde haired , blue eyed girl doesn't mean much to me and in general I judge people by actions and not so much appearance . Like a bad Monkey song though my vision is just shades of grey.

Sorry for the topic swerve.

Douglas R. Allen
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on November 01, 2017, 07:52:15 PM
Yea Bob, I think it is based on the videos I have seen. 

I get it, I just think that the incremental price difference would have been worth it.

As pointed out, having the full meter bridge on-screen is a decent work around.

I also agree with others that going to the Behringer-esque PEQ is also very annoying.  It is my biggest gripe with the X32 family.

Again .... having said all this, getting the DLive processing engine in a sub 3K package is nothing short of amazing.  I have no doubt at all that this mixer is going to sound better than all other mixers in its price range due to this fact.

I think it was the right move for A&H.  Being a design engineer myself, the idea of having a single FPGA code base for your entire product line (assuming that the Qu will eventually die out in favor of the SQ) makes an enormous amount of financial sense.

Where things are headed is that there will be NO difference in sound quality between the high end and low end mixers.  There will only be differences in features and control surface ability.  If you are sitting where I am, this sounds (pun intended) like a pretty good thing :)

Additionally, I have always had a special spot in my heart for A&H.  They just make very solid products.  Loved my MixWiz, and still love my little ZED 10Fx (which I continue to recommend for small mixing chores).

I felt that A&H missed the boat a little on the Qu.  I think the SQ is going to be a winner for them.

I was lucky enough to attend a pre-release of the dLive in Thailand some time ago. I got to talk to the factory guys for some time about the design. There was an extreme focus on getting the ergonomics right and minimising the number of moves needed to operate the desk. 

I’m sure this will have carried through to the SQ, but I suspect there is a couple of over-riding constraints such as getting it below a certain market price point and keeping it small enough to be rack mounted and down to a size and weight can be transported as airline baggage ... etc.

I guess we will find out how successful they have been once we actually get to use one in the field.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Dennis Wiggins on November 01, 2017, 07:56:11 PM
/quote: A blonde haired , blue eyed girl doesn't mean much to me and in general I judge people by actions :/unquote

... working in a bar is not much different than moonlight.

-Dennis
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeremy Young on November 01, 2017, 08:29:32 PM
The multi-coloured single-LED metering does seem to be an oversight for those with colour-vision-deficiency.  Time will tell just how effective that is in an outdoor environment but at this price point I understand the reasoning.  The board has a very streamlined look to it, and in the process they've eliminated some things that are simply going to polarize folks. 

I understand the need to reduce the footprint and try something new with metering, but I do LOVE the full channel strip metering on my A&H iLive R72 and T112 surfaces.  I also appreciate (especially working on the smaller R72) that they have a peak LED for each fader bank so it draws your attention to that bank quickly if there's an issue on another layer.  It seems this did not make it into the SQ series either, but obviously I'm not expecting iLive features at this price point.

I understand the choice to remove dedicated PEQ encoders, but it's not one that wins me over initially.  I guess hands-on would be required to get a feel for it, but that's my knee-jerk reaction.  It seems that dedicated faders and meters are being traded more and more for touchscreen interfaces as we get further from our analog ancestry.  As long as the GUI is up to the task, that can be a very good thing, or a very bad thing. 
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on November 01, 2017, 09:55:36 PM
The multi-coloured single-LED metering does seem to be an oversight for those with colour-vision-deficiency.  Time will tell just how effective that is in an outdoor environment but at this price point I understand the reasoning.  The board has a very streamlined look to it, and in the process they've eliminated some things that are simply going to polarize folks. 

I understand the need to reduce the footprint and try something new with metering, but I do LOVE the full channel strip metering on my A&H iLive R72 and T112 surfaces.  I also appreciate (especially working on the smaller R72) that they have a peak LED for each fader bank so it draws your attention to that bank quickly if there's an issue on another layer.  It seems this did not make it into the SQ series either, but obviously I'm not expecting iLive features at this price point.

I understand the choice to remove dedicated PEQ encoders, but it's not one that wins me over initially.  I guess hands-on would be required to get a feel for it, but that's my knee-jerk reaction.  It seems that dedicated faders and meters are being traded more and more for touchscreen interfaces as we get further from our analog ancestry.  As long as the GUI is up to the task, that can be a very good thing, or a very bad thing.

I think the SQ has 2 leds per channel. A peak and the level.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Stephen Swaffer on November 01, 2017, 10:52:09 PM
Our church made the transition to digital 2 years ago with a QU-32.  Transitioning from a 48 channel GL3800 and never having been able to work with a digital board I was nervous about the reduced physical fader count.  Most of our channels are various vocal mics-we don't use a band we do have a mic'd piano and occasionally other instruments.  Our service style is pretty informal and often not really scripted.

The QU-32 made for a near seamless transition.  The discreet EQ knobs make that easy to work with.  A place to lay an iPad allows an extended screen when needed-I can see where it might make sense to let people use their own holder if they need one.

For churches needed a mixer in the 24-32 channel count range, using a variety of volunteers at different times the larger fader count seems better-though perhaps the scribble strips would help with that. 
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeremy Young on November 01, 2017, 11:21:17 PM
I think the SQ has 2 leds per channel. A peak and the level.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro


True, so it is more than the single LED per channel that I described. 


However, I was referring to a dedicated peak LED at the fader layer selection button that the iLive series has (had) that I find helpful. 


For example, my R72 has two banks of motorized faders (8 + 4 faders respectively) and each bank of faders has access to six layers (hence the 72 in the name).  Next to each of the layer selection buttons is a peak LED.  So if I'm working my vocalists with my 8 Bank-1 faders on Layer-3, and someone knocks a drum mic out of place and the channel starts to peak, the Bank-1 Layer-1 (where I keep drums) peak light would start flashing, so I hit that button to investigate. 


Each channel strip at the selected layer also includes 11 dedicated LEDs (plus peak) to indicate pre-fader, pre-mute level.  Those LED's take up about 2" of real estate x the width of the board.  For a 64x32 DSP mixer, the R72 manages to pack a lot of fast-access into a rack-mountable control surface if you're OK doing things in the touch&turn style.  When I want less screen interaction, the T112 surface gives me near-instant access to everything I need, but also takes up a lot more space on a desk at a little over 3' wide. 


Compared to the GLD-112, the T-112 trades a spot to store your iPad for more encoders in the same space, and does it with a better touchscreen angle.  Just wish the Dante card was with me at FOH like the GLD series, and that the local inputs at the iLive T-series surfaces had preamps like the GLD series, but those are the tradeoffs for having the DSP at the mix-rack (handy for iPad-only gigs). 


Up until Stephen's comment, I never really understood why someone couldn't just place their tablet on the table NEXT TO their console, but it does make sense when used as a screen extension since the viewing angles would be similar when setup that way.


Anyway I digress, this ain't about discontinued A&H products that I'm trying to justify still owning, it's about this new sexy 96kHz SQ that I'm trying to convince myself that I don't need. ;)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on November 01, 2017, 11:39:47 PM

True, so it is more than the single LED per channel that I described. 


However, I was referring to a dedicated peak LED at the fader layer selection button that the iLive series has (had) that I find helpful. 


For example, my R72 has two banks of motorized faders (8 + 4 faders respectively) and each bank of faders has access to six layers (hence the 72 in the name).  Next to each of the layer selection buttons is a peak LED.  So if I'm working my vocalists with my 8 Bank-1 faders on Layer-3, and someone knocks a drum mic out of place and the channel starts to peak, the Bank-1 Layer-1 (where I keep drums) peak light would start flashing, so I hit that button to investigate. 


Each channel strip at the selected layer also includes 11 dedicated LEDs (plus peak) to indicate pre-fader, pre-mute level.  Those LED's take up about 2" of real estate x the width of the board.  For a 64x32 DSP mixer, the R72 manages to pack a lot of fast-access into a rack-mountable control surface if you're OK doing things in the touch&turn style.  When I want less screen interaction, the T112 surface gives me near-instant access to everything I need, but also takes up a lot more space on a desk at a little over 3' wide. 


Compared to the GLD-112, the T-112 trades a spot to store your iPad for more encoders in the same space, and does it with a better touchscreen angle.  Just wish the Dante card was with me at FOH like the GLD series, and that the local inputs at the iLive T-series surfaces had preamps like the GLD series, but those are the tradeoffs for having the DSP at the mix-rack (handy for iPad-only gigs). 


Up until Stephen's comment, I never really understood why someone couldn't just place their tablet on the table NEXT TO their console, but it does make sense when used as a screen extension since the viewing angles would be similar when setup that way.


Anyway I digress, this ain't about discontinued A&H products that I'm trying to justify still owning, it's about this new sexy 96kHz SQ that I'm trying to convince myself that I don't need. ;)

I agree, I like the bank/layer peak indicators too. The GLD has em.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeff Simpson on November 02, 2017, 06:59:17 AM
Hi Guys

I normally try to keep quiet around here, but since the issue of colour blindness with the chromatic metering has come up, and with there being little SQ documentation available so far, I thought I would add some extra information. I hope that's OK.

The channel meters on SQ have a configuration screen, where you can customise the thresholds and colours however you like. If green-yellow-orange is not effective for you, you could choose white-blue-red, green-orange, or whatever, with configurable thresholds for when the next colour comes in. The colours can be either a fixed brightness, or vary in brightness according to level. As an example, I just set a desk to use an increasing brightness of white from -30 dBu and upwards, with no colour changes at all. And yes, there is a restore to defaults button!

The dedicated peak LED always comes on at +15 dBu.

Regarding the per-bank peak LEDs, these are inside the bank buttons on SQ, so a bank button will turn red if a signal in that bank is peaking.

I hope this was helpful.

- Jeff, A&H
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on November 02, 2017, 08:41:50 AM
I just sat through a webinar on the SQ and I can answer a few of the questions that have been raised -

1.   You can add an additional Slink port. i.e. the desk can have 2 - Slink ports
2.   There will be an iPad app and an editor coming.
3.   The scene recalls will be suitable for theatre and include scene safes and filters. You can integrate Midi in to these and control QLab for example.
4.   The sound quality should be very similar to the D-Live, it’s 96kHz and uses a 96bit accumulator like the D-Live.
5.   The LED meter are variable brightness and the colors can be selected – see Jeff post above for details  :)

The more I learn about this disk, the more I am impressed 8)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Steve M Smith on November 02, 2017, 08:51:38 AM
I just sat through a webinar on the SQ

I wanted to do that, but I was at work for both the scheduled times.


Steve.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on November 02, 2017, 12:19:39 PM
I noticed the same thing.  I will be a little less kind than you and say it was just a stupid place to save a few dollars.  Really?  A single LED? 

I don't feel like they're trying to save money. Rather, I feel they are trying to innovate.

To me, the shrinking size of consoles has allowed A&H to come up with an innovative method to combine an entire LED strip into a single LED.

I think it's rather ingenious to save console space and create something new.

And now after the webinar's info and Jeff's info, it seems like they have thoroughly thought it through and weren't trying to 'save money.'

P.S.
I'm watching the webinar now, any questions we want to ask? :)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Corey Scogin on November 02, 2017, 12:26:04 PM
P.S.
I'm watching the webinar now, any questions we want to ask? :)

When using 48kHz stage boxes, does the console run at 48kHz?
Can the direct recordings or USB output be set to 48kHz even if the console is running at 96kHz?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on November 02, 2017, 12:28:32 PM
I'm not sure this will be an issue - I never use the discrete knobs on the Qu, I always touch the EQ functions (gain,Q, frequency) on the screen and turn the master screen knob.  I find this faster than going to the discrete tone control knobs which are located to the left of the screen.

With the DLive I do use the discrete knobs for each function.  There is more real-estate on the DLive and they have been able to locate the knobs directly below the screen  so I can easily look at the screen and adjust the tone controls. Ergonomically this seems to work.

If you look carefully how they have laid out the knobs and select buttons on the SQ in may work much better than you think - I guess I will find out when mine arrives :-)

I too find the discrete tone control knobs to not be utilized on my Qu. I'd bet they took inventory of users of Qu and found that very few use them and removed them to save cost & real estate.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Scott Slater on November 02, 2017, 12:30:54 PM
When using 48kHz stage boxes, does the console run at 48kHz?
Can the direct recordings or USB output be set to 48kHz even if the console is running at 96kHz?

The console always runs at 96kHz, and the older stageboxes are upsampled to that rate.  This question was brought up on the webinar this morning.

For your second part of the question..... I don't know.

-Scott
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on November 02, 2017, 12:37:13 PM
When using 48kHz stage boxes, does the console run at 48kHz?
Can the direct recordings or USB output be set to 48kHz even if the console is running at 96kHz?

I asked in the chat they didn't answer. Not sure if there is a Q&A at the end?

"Android OS from day 1"  8)

Not that this really matters, but FYI:
Pre-amps are not dLive, but they are "super high quality" I'm inferring they are somewhere between GLD-dLive.
Using DX would allow use of dLive pre-amps (obviously).

Linking 2x SQ with sLink will allow sharing of all onboard IO between consoles.

iPad holder on the back of the console.

FX:
Same as GLD/dLive though not as many and there's a reason for that.

I'm really hoping they give us the full suite eventually. LCR matrix processor would be really nice.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Robert Lofgren on November 02, 2017, 01:24:38 PM
So, you even dream or fantasies in b&w?


To me red is dark, green a little brighter, then yellow the brightest. But in a normal lighted room to brighter outside I'm not so good... I see things from dark to light.  It is tough.  People talking to me about color is like you trying to tell me what a hamburger taste like if I've never ate one.  If you've never had one you'll just never know.  On the plus side I do see shades better than most. A blonde haired , blue eyed girl doesn't mean much to me and in general I judge people by actions and not so much appearance . Like a bad Monkey song though my vision is just shades of grey.

Sorry for the topic swerve.

Douglas R. Allen
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Art Nadelman on November 02, 2017, 03:23:59 PM

iPad holder on the back of the console.


That's an optional iPad holder.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Douglas R. Allen on November 02, 2017, 04:32:20 PM
Hi Guys

I normally try to keep quiet around here, but since the issue of colour blindness with the chromatic metering has come up, and with there being little SQ documentation available so far, I thought I would add some extra information. I hope that's OK.

The channel meters on SQ have a configuration screen, where you can customise the thresholds and colours however you like. If green-yellow-orange is not effective for you, you could choose white-blue-red, green-orange, or whatever, with configurable thresholds for when the next colour comes in. The colours can be either a fixed brightness, or vary in brightness according to level. As an example, I just set a desk to use an increasing brightness of white from -30 dBu and upwards, with no colour changes at all. And yes, there is a restore to defaults button!

The dedicated peak LED always comes on at +15 dBu.

Regarding the per-bank peak LEDs, these are inside the bank buttons on SQ, so a bank button will turn red if a signal in that bank is peaking.

I hope this was helpful.

- Jeff, A&H

Thanks for sharing this Jeff!

Douglas R. Allen
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on November 02, 2017, 06:24:18 PM
That's an optional iPad holder.

I didn't catch that, thanks! Sad it's only optional... should come with the board... :(
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Douglas R. Allen on November 02, 2017, 06:54:57 PM
So, you even dream or fantasies in b&w?

Well my dreams (  while sleeping ;-)   )  look the same as my vision when I'm awake.  I can't see color so I wouldn't dream any different. How could I?  Fantasy's emm what??  8)  I've simply never seen or never will know what color is.  Again just turn your color level all the way down on your TV, monitor etc. That is how I see things.

Douglas R. Allen
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Robert Lofgren on November 02, 2017, 09:40:20 PM
Ah, ok... I was thinking that perhaps your color blindness was due to some ‘mechanical’ issue with the eyes.

I was also curious because my head took a hit a couple of years ago and for a very long time I was unable to envision(?) colors ‘in my head’ but I could still see colors normally when looking at stuff. It took several years before it came back to normal again...

I was born when b&w tv still was a thing and I was heavily into b&w photography ;-)

Well my dreams (  while sleeping ;-)   )  look the same as my vision when I'm awake.  I can't see color so I wouldn't dream any different. How could I?  Fantasy's emm what??  8)  I've simply never seen or never will know what color is.  Again just turn your color level all the way down on your TV, monitor etc. That is how I see things.

Douglas R. Allen
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Corey Scogin on November 02, 2017, 10:07:34 PM
Ah, ok... I was thinking that perhaps your color blindness was due to some ‘mechanical’ issue with the eyes.

I think it's most commonly a "mechanical" issue.

Quote from: https://nei.nih.gov/health/color_blindness/facts_about
Inherited color blindness is caused by abnormal photopigments. These color-detecting molecules are located in cone-shaped cells within the retina, called cone cells. In humans, several genes are needed for the body to make photopigments, and defects in these genes can lead to color blindness.

There are three main kinds of color blindness, based on photopigment defects in the three different kinds of cones that respond to blue, green, and red light. Red-green color blindness is the most common, followed by blue-yellow color blindness. A complete absence of color vision —total color blindness – is rare.

Sometimes color blindness can be caused by physical or chemical damage to the eye, the optic nerve, or parts of the brain that process color information. Color vision can also decline with age, most often because of cataract - a clouding and yellowing of the eye’s lens.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: John Fruits on November 03, 2017, 04:53:23 AM
Golly, this is a fun thread. Let's see, it just needs lots more blinky lights, lots more knobs and more space without blinky lights and knobs so there is room for the Ithingies.  Oh and still small and compact. 
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on November 03, 2017, 07:17:52 AM
Golly, this is a fun thread. Let's see, it just needs lots more blinky lights, lots more knobs and more space without blinky lights and knobs so there is room for the Ithingies.  Oh and still small and compact.
Dont forget 96 channels and a lower price.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on November 03, 2017, 07:59:57 AM
Golly, this is a fun thread. Let's see, it just needs lots more blinky lights, lots more knobs and more space without blinky lights and knobs so there is room for the Ithingies.  Oh and still small and compact.

Yep ... to put it into perspective - they have squeezed this amount of desk (both of them) (64 channels - 48 in + 8 stereo returns ) into a 19" rack mount 10.5 kg package ... including an EFX rack for not many dollars, not to mention great sound quality and ... ...  :o
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Chris Hindle on November 03, 2017, 08:42:53 AM
Yep ... to put it into perspective - they have squeezed this amount of desk (64 channels - 48 in + 8 stereo returns ) into a 19" rack mount 10.5 kg package ... including an EFX rack for not many dollars, not to mention great sound quality and ... ...  :o

PLUS, 3 racks of processing.......
Kinda puts a light on things, doesn't it ?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Stephen Swaffer on November 03, 2017, 12:37:40 PM
The really amazing thing to me is price/quality improvement.  I/O, or as it is more commonly known in industry Human Machine Interface, is the limiting factor on most electronics when it comes to size. 

Trying to make a one-size-fits-all interface is the challenge.  Probably just as likely to make everyone happy with the compromises as to make the sound perfect for everyone at your next gig.

From what I see/hear if I had the choice between a QU-32 and the SQ the SQ certainly is a step up for the money.

So, is it quicker to change layers or walk to the other end of that analog board??
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Art Nadelman on November 03, 2017, 01:43:12 PM
I can tell you.  Demand is high for these.  I just placed an order for a customer. They are now back ordered in the US until December/January for the SQ-5 and SQ6, respectively, and that inventory is nearly spoken for already.

Get your orders in now if you want one soon.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrea Litti on November 03, 2017, 05:45:57 PM
It would be great if A&H released a card to link a GLD to a SQ... that would be a great FOH/mon combo
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on November 03, 2017, 06:00:59 PM
It would be great if A&H released a card to link a GLD to a SQ... that would be a great FOH/mon combo
You can do that with Dante cards.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on November 04, 2017, 01:43:48 AM
Does anyone know if the existing Dante cards will fit the SQ or did they change the slot?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrea Litti on November 04, 2017, 05:25:38 AM
You can do that with Dante cards.

I know, but at the price of two cards instead of one  :)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Art Nadelman on November 04, 2017, 11:19:08 AM
Does anyone know if the existing Dante cards will fit the SQ or did they change the slot?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

They changed the slot.  Old cards will not fit.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Michael Lascuola on November 04, 2017, 11:51:29 AM
Can the direct recordings or USB output be set to 48kHz even if the console is running at 96kHz?
I can't recall where I read it, but the recordings are 96KHz only now with other options "on the way."
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Leonard on November 04, 2017, 11:53:02 AM
They changed the slot.  Old cards will not fit.

Poor design feature.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Mark Rombouts on November 04, 2017, 12:18:32 PM
Poor design feature.

The old card format can not do 96 khz so they had to design new cards
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Leonard on November 04, 2017, 05:28:32 PM
The old card format can not do 96 khz so they had to design new cards


The system should be able to support newer and legacy board types. Sample rate should make no difference.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Mark Amber on November 04, 2017, 05:45:11 PM
The system should be able to support newer and legacy board types. Sample rate should make no difference.
Are you saying this authoritatively or presumptively? Afaik it uses a new form factor card which is essentially a small version of the dlive cards (at 96k)

SRC is not cheap at all. These mixers are built down to a price. Don't think for a second they aren't.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on November 04, 2017, 05:50:34 PM
The old card format can not do 96 khz so they had to design new cards

Yes, but Dante is 48k anyway.

Oh well.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: richard_cooper on November 04, 2017, 05:58:23 PM
Yes, but Dante is 48k anyway.

No it's not......

The Brooklyn 2 for instance can do up to 192KHz
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on November 04, 2017, 06:25:55 PM
No it's not......

The Brooklyn 2 for instance can do up to 192KHz

Ok, but if it is sampling at that rate, it would only be able to talk to other devices sampling at the same rate.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Leonard on November 05, 2017, 09:35:14 AM
Are you saying this authoritatively or presumptively? Afaik it uses a new form factor card which is essentially a small version of the dlive cards (at 96k)

SRC is not cheap at all. These mixers are built down to a price. Don't think for a second they aren't.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk



With authority, and try not preaching to the choir please. Any digital board is a CPU and associated chip sets supporting a mechanical/human interface. Any modern PC is a prime example of the ability to support multiple types of adapters which includes those for video, audio, disk arrays and external devices, to name a very few. SCSI, Firewire, enhanced video formats at varying sample rates, and even USB at different formats and rates.

It's not magic that all of these dissimilar adapters can be added, or are built into the motherboard, it is a matter of the external chip set being used to support the external device/protocol being translated for processing by the system CPU.

The hardware layer is the first layer of the ISO model. It is the board or chip set that receives the electrical or optical transmission of the data to be processed by the CPU. This chip set communicates with the CPU through a bus, and it is the bus supporting the I/O to the CPU and controlling BIOS which provides further communication to and from external chip sets and devices.

Those devices are designed to be compatible with the bus and the speed the bus supports, which is determined by the CPU, not the add in boards or supporting interfaces. The key to success is that the external device/I/O board be capable of "translating" the received information to information the bus and CPU can work with.

Processing for the external cards will be a function of the system bus ability to mate with the adapter in both mechanical and electrical/digital format. Processing of the data being received/transmitted by the external adapter is a function of the adapters abilities based on the chip set and instruction set, or how the adapter "speaks" to the bus.

So in a nutshell, if the new product, in this case the SQ, won't support anything BUT the new format 96k adapters, it's because someone said "Let's just put a smaller less functional port into the SQ. It will cost a few dollars less, but save development time, and open a new market for a new series of boards based on 96k only. Then we can also sell the new smaller lower chip count boards for less."

Here's where I'll agree and disagree on the cost factor. The initial design costs must be paid for through the sale of the product almost immediately upon introduction to the market. Profit from that point then become sale of the product minus the costs of manufacturing and distribution.

So, in order to meet a specific manufacturing cost, design factor, physical limitation, desire to market a new series of adapters, or even disregard for legacy product, the decision was made to NOT support the legacy product. My money is on design cost and chip count. Not because it couldn't be done.

To me and IMO, not supporting legacy product could be a determining factor for many people when choosing/not choosing the board, and I look at those factors as important which would outweigh the minimal upcharge required to make the board legacy compatible. For the newbie who chooses this as their first board it won't matter. To the business who may have a number of legacy cards on hand it will matter. It's all a marketing decision, EOS.     
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Art Nadelman on November 05, 2017, 09:22:13 PM

To me and IMO, not supporting legacy product could be a determining factor for many people when choosing/not choosing the board, and I look at those factors as important which would outweigh the minimal upcharge required to make the board legacy compatible. For the newbie who chooses this as their first board it won't matter. To the business who may have a number of legacy cards on hand it will matter. It's all a marketing decision, EOS.   

Not supporting legacy products?  Show me another manufacturer that creates a 96kHz board and will allow you to continue to use their 48kHz legacy I/O boxes with it or the new 96kHz boxes that are much more costly.  I guess they just didn't want to make money on their I/O boards?

I'm guessing that if you look inside one, you'll find that the reason was real estate.  There was probably no room on the SQ-5 to put a legacy I/O board.

As for people not choosing them?  I've already got orders from customers for 10 of them.  And these are all for the 2nd batch of inventory.  The first batch is already sold out.

If you want one anytime soon, you better place your order now.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on November 06, 2017, 07:15:49 AM
Not supporting legacy products?  Show me another manufacturer that creates a 96kHz board and will allow you to continue to use their 48kHz legacy I/O boxes with it or the new 96kHz boxes that are much more costly.  I guess they just didn't want to make money on their I/O boards?

I'm guessing that if you look inside one, you'll find that the reason was real estate.  There was probably no room on the SQ-5 to put a legacy I/O board.

As for people not choosing them?  I've already got orders from customers for 10 of them.  And these are all for the 2nd batch of inventory.  The first batch is already sold out.

If you want one anytime soon, you better place your order now.

I'm using the Dante card out of my 48KHz iLive in my Dlive. Allen & Heath made a reasonably priced letter box adaptor that allowed it to be used - thanks A&H  :)

I'm sure there is a good reason why this Dante card won't work in the SQ. As you suggested it’s probably real estate, the letter box adaptor is quite large.

A large part of the cost of a Dante card is paying licence fees to Audinate, sooo there is not as much profit as you would normally expect. My logic would suggest there is probably more profit for A&H if they could have just used the old card (?)

http://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/adapter/
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Leonard on November 06, 2017, 07:54:39 AM
Not supporting legacy products?  Show me another manufacturer that creates a 96kHz board and will allow you to continue to use their 48kHz legacy I/O boxes with it or the new 96kHz boxes that are much more costly.  I guess they just didn't want to make money on their I/O boards?

I'm guessing that if you look inside one, you'll find that the reason was real estate.  There was probably no room on the SQ-5 to put a legacy I/O board.

As for people not choosing them?  I've already got orders from customers for 10 of them.  And these are all for the 2nd batch of inventory.  The first batch is already sold out.

If you want one anytime soon, you better place your order now.

Did you not read or understand my post?

" For the newbie who chooses this as their first board it won't matter."

Glad your selling boards. You can calm the fuck down now.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: richard_cooper on November 06, 2017, 08:27:37 AM
To me and IMO, not supporting legacy product could be a determining factor for many people when choosing/not choosing the board, and I look at those factors as important which would outweigh the minimal upcharge required to make the board legacy compatible. For the newbie who chooses this as their first board it won't matter. To the business who may have a number of legacy cards on hand it will matter. It's all a marketing decision, EOS.   

And one of those marketing decisions will have to do with not wanting to release a new 96KHz line of boards where the interface cards are stuck at 48KHz. Remember this is not just about the Dante card, they've also announced there will be Waves and SLink options as well. The SLink card will have to be 96KHz to remain compatible with the DX and GigaAce links, so a new card interface would be required and I'm sure the DLive card format is physically too big, and probably expensive 128x128 is overkill at this level.

Without knowing the specification of the original card interface or the new one we can only take wild guesses at the practicality of creating a slot that could accommodate the old cards AND newer ones, and the costs there involved.

The DLive letterbox adapter is not a dumb adapter it does the sample rate conversion and who knows what other interface "glue".

I cannot think of any manufacturer that has maintained a completely uniform card format across multiple generations of console. Or even that don't have multiple card formats for different product lines, with the exception of Digico, but they were late to the interface card game.

You can calm the fuck down now.

Seems a little uncalled for.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Leonard on November 06, 2017, 09:36:41 AM
The whole point Richard is that it can be done vs. statements it can not be done. For the right amount of money anything can be done, but that negates the cost value factor of an entry level board.

There are many board manufactures who make attempts to accommodate older legacy option boards. Soundcraft is one of those manufacturers.

I agree with your statement concerning the 96k interface, however, the logic is in the adapter, and it is the speed of the bus as it relates to the CPU which determines the highest rate of compatibility. In a nutshell, the bus could run at 192k and be downwardly compatible to 48k or lower. I would put my money on available space as part of the design being the determining factor.

Not really.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on November 06, 2017, 11:11:52 AM
The interview is up.

https://youtu.be/nC4Ac1k3Owk

Nothing we didn't really already know.

None of my questions from the chat were answered live, so not sure what that feature was about...?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Leonard on November 06, 2017, 06:07:30 PM
Maybe a shorter overview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSR4AUP3kjU

Nice looking board and very well thought out.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Scott Bolt on November 06, 2017, 09:09:56 PM
Maybe a shorter overview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSR4AUP3kjU

Nice looking board and very well thought out.
Still not loving on the single level LED :(

Very nice looking console though!
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on November 14, 2017, 09:22:38 AM
So they did answer my questions :) Just via email.

Quote
Q: Is this being recorded and will this go public?
A: Yes, you can view it here:  https://youtu.be/nC4Ac1k3Owk
Q: When using 48kHz stage boxes, does the console run at 48kHz? Can the direct recordings or USB output be set to 48kHz even if the console is running at 96kHz?
The SQ will continue to run at 96kHz, as the SLink port does the clever upsampling. SQ-Drive and USB-B is currently fixed at 96kHz, although we are looking into the possibility of lower sample rate options too.
Q: Depth/Height of rackmount?
A: The rack mounting kit requires 12U of space. When mounted, the top of the SQ-5 is 140mm from the rack rails.
Q: 24x MONO AUX Sends!!!!
A: The mix buses can be configured to act in either mono or stereo modes. So you can have all 12 as stereo or a mixture of mono and stereo, but they are not divisible.

Thanks again!
Keith Johnson
Product Manager – SQ, Qu, ZED

Meh, they COULD do the mix busses mono... :/ Not that I need it, but for all of y'all out there.

Still don't understand the 8FX but only 4 sends?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jean-Pierre Coetzee on November 14, 2017, 11:43:49 AM
So they did answer my questions :) Just via email.

Meh, they COULD do the mix busses mono... :/ Not that I need it, but for all of y'all out there.

Still don't understand the 8FX but only 4 sends?
I can easily get by with 4FX sends. What all is considered and FX unit, I can think of some stuff I would insert onto a channel so wouldn't need a send.

Sent from my 2014817 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Mark Rombouts on November 14, 2017, 11:51:22 AM
I can easily get by with 4FX sends. What all is considered and FX unit, I can think of some stuff I would insert onto a channel so wouldn't need a send.

Sent from my 2014817 using Tapatalk

You can probably run an normal mix send as fx send id you need more then 4. This is possible on gld, soni guessnthisnis an option.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on November 14, 2017, 11:59:04 AM
While all true, it's not how the block diagram reads. I'm unclear how the routing works at this point. I should have one by 30 Dec. So we shall see?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Harvey on November 21, 2017, 10:15:25 PM
Well now ... no activity for a week.  Looks like the fever has broken.

Has anyone stateside touched one yet ?

My rep said he would bring a demo unit mid November ... that's now come and gone.

I'm thinking that we'll be finished with the turkey leftovers long before an SQ appears.
 
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on November 23, 2017, 06:05:51 AM
Well now ... no activity for a week.  Looks like the fever has broken.

Has anyone stateside touched one yet ?

My rep said he would bring a demo unit mid November ... that's now come and gone.

I'm thinking that we'll be finished with the turkey leftovers long before an SQ appears.

They're out doing gigs in some countries  :)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Harvey on December 01, 2017, 04:10:24 PM
OK ... November has come and gone.

The turkey scraps are all gone.

Any SQ sightings in the U.S. ?

Bueller ... Bueller ... Bueller ...
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on December 05, 2017, 12:45:52 AM
OK ... November has come and gone.

The turkey scraps are all gone.

Any SQ sightings in the U.S. ?

Bueller ... Bueller ... Bueller ...

Mine is due to arrive next week in Oz .... in the mean time here is the manual, it may help answer some of the questions people have been asking

http://www.allen-heath.com/media/SQ_ReferenceGuide_v1_0_1.pdf
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on December 05, 2017, 09:36:41 AM
Mine is due to arrive next week in Oz .... in the mean time here is the manual, it may help answer some of the questions people have been asking

http://www.allen-heath.com/media/SQ_ReferenceGuide_v1_0_1.pdf

Did you get the SQ 5 or 6?

My SQ6 is due to arrive first week of Jan hopefully (moved from Dec 30th)

Glad the manual is out. Been waiting on that.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on December 05, 2017, 10:39:21 PM
Someone mentioned the iLive doing cool peak metering stuff? Looks like they kept that concept :)

• The peak (Pk) LED’s on channels strips use multi-point sensing to display destructive peaking anywhere in the channel or mix.
• If a channel is peaking on a channel strip which is on an inactive layer, the layer selection key will illuminate in red.

Also, super cool. They got polarity vs phase right! :)

---

After reading through the manual, some things I'm disappointed in :(
• Auxes are fixed pairs stereo/mono. The processing is all there to do 24x mono mixes/auxes; The lights for the buttons for SOF could be multicolor to show which 'send' you're sending. (I don't need and will not use this feature) [I think I get 'why' they did this, to limit the number of buttons on the board for SOF...]
• Wish the matrices were like Yamaha's M7's 'super matrix' meaning channels send to matrices...
• I wish it had LCR capabilities. They included a TON of features for routing channel(s) to stereo image
• I need my De-Esser and MBC to make this board perfect. Note: Frank(ie) (A&H's spokes dude) has said they will be coming soon...
• I want compressors on the FX returns.
• GEQ on everything is pointless, I'd rather have more PEQ points on outputs...
• RTA/Spectrum on PEQ on CH... :(
• Metering should be assignable: pre HPF, Pre Fader and AFL (really more, like the direct out options should be available, but...)
• For whatever reason the background screen color (of the screenshots in the manual) reminds me of windows 95... I know you have to start somewhere and it might not even be that color in real life...but ugh, It's pretty ugly for such a nice looking board haha.
• Ducking... though the compressor can be assigned side chain to different channel so it can be made into a 'ducker' though the parameters aren't quite right.


Burried features I'm kinda excited about? :)
• Talkback is a channel...wut  you can have 49ch's!
• Scene management is top notch! [Scenes and shows]
• Looks like compressor knee rate is variable, that's always nice.
• Direct Out level is +10 capable; good for lots of things...dante!


---

Software is still very new, so I'm sure we'll get plenty of updates over the next 1.5yrs; then maybe 1 or two more in another 2yrs.

If I were A&H I'd replace GLD with this board and re-tool my factories.

The extra extra good news is most of these are already planned :)

http://community.allen-heath.com/forums/forum/sq/sq-feature-suggestions
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Luke Oppenheimer on December 06, 2017, 10:19:19 PM
Hi all, sorry to drag conversation into prosumer territory ...

I'm thinking about getting the SQ5 for small band gigs and to double as a studio board.
 My Allen and Heath experience is capped at using gl2200 analog consoles live (probably a 3300 or 2) which never really inspired me (+ I've heard the odd super budget mixer that was truly dreadful!!).

Are the pres on the qu, gld & dlive boards in a different league?
 In the studio I am used to great river, Manley, UA, Neve etc etc level gear. Can A&H stand shoulder to shoulder?
I have an apogee ensemble and metric halo uln2 interface - as a reference point, does anyone know how the A&H gear compares?
 Studio wise the Midas m32 is in the race - all info talks about how good it's pres are ... feature/usability/gig wise I'd far rather the A&H
 Understanding that these are barely out in the wild and while I know I can do an ok job with any reasonable level gear, how would you describe the modern A&H sound?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Tim McCulloch on December 07, 2017, 12:32:25 AM
The stand-alone preamps you mention are far from neutral "wire with gain."  You bought them because they DID SOMETHING to the sound you found pleasing or marketable.

The quick answer is you are not likely to find the 99 cent preamp/AD converter chip to be in the same league as the boutique products.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Corey Scogin on December 07, 2017, 12:36:20 AM
• I need my De-Esser and MBC to make this board perfect. Note: Frank(ie) (A&H's spokes dude) has said they will be coming soon...
• RTA/Spectrum on PEQ on CH... :(

These are my two top requests for the SQ (and Qu) series.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Luke Oppenheimer on December 07, 2017, 05:47:06 AM
The stand-alone preamps you mention are far from neutral "wire with gain."  You bought them because they DID SOMETHING to the sound you found pleasing or marketable.

The quick answer is you are not likely to find the 99 cent preamp/AD converter chip to be in the same league as the boutique products.

I guess that's what I'm asking, do you consider the A&H preamps I mentioned 99 cent preamps?
I've seen the qu described as having a warm sound which I find very attractive. I've also seen them compared favorably to the Midas Venice etc.
 Some of my high end gear isn't colored but has an incredibly full range (true) bass response that gear like the ensemble heads towards but can't match ... equally  clean uncoloured preamps should not add a cheap top end to the sound.

 I was auditioning some speakers the other day with a cheap & nasty A&H analog desk. The pre's at normal gain staging added terrible upper harmonics to the sound. Backed off they were more usable but straight into the (self powered) speakers it suddenly sounded much much better.

Using an LS9 was a similar experience. I really disliked the sound of that desk - even though the processing gives you enough power to iron the tone out, I'm looking to start from a much better place.

The whole point of buying a reasonable quality desk for me is to get a good tone from the outset and use the processing to accentuate the material, not to compensate for 99c electronics.

I would hope the next SQ5 will sound far better than an LS9 in every way ... I just wonder if I'm kidding myself that I can replace apogee gear with it
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on December 07, 2017, 05:54:58 AM
Hi all, sorry to drag conversation into prosumer territory ...

I'm thinking about getting the SQ5 for small band gigs and to double as a studio board.
 My Allen and Heath experience is capped at using gl2200 analog consoles live (probably a 3300 or 2) which never really inspired me (+ I've heard the odd super budget mixer that was truly dreadful!!).

Are the pres on the qu, gld & dlive boards in a different league?
 In the studio I am used to great river, Manley, UA, Neve etc etc level gear. Can A&H stand shoulder to shoulder?
I have an apogee ensemble and metric halo uln2 interface - as a reference point, does anyone know how the A&H gear compares?
 Studio wise the Midas m32 is in the race - all info talks about how good it's pres are ... feature/usability/gig wise I'd far rather the A&H
 Understanding that these are barely out in the wild and while I know I can do an ok job with any reasonable level gear, how would you describe the modern A&H sound?

I don't know about the SQ but the dLive sounds better than an M32 ... and if you want there are a couple of adjustable valve Mic-pre models that sound very nice, plus a 4 band dynamic EQ, plus a 3/4 way multiband compressor, and what I believe are models of a dbx 160, 160VU, LA2, 1176, Valley People Dyna-mite and of course a standard RMS & Peak compressor .... and they available on every channel!
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Luke Oppenheimer on December 07, 2017, 06:52:35 AM
I don't know about the SQ but the dLive sounds better than an M32 ... and if you want there are a couple of adjustable valve Mic-pre models that sound very nice, plus a 4 band dynamic EQ, plus a 3/4 way multiband compressor, and what I believe are models of a dbx 160, 160VU, LA2, 1176, Valley People Dyna-mite and of course a standard RMS & Peak compressor .... and they available on every channel!

Thank you, that's the sort of info I was hoping to hear :)

I am also trying to work out how many of those fx come with the SQ5 out of the box and how many are paid add ons
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on December 07, 2017, 07:58:48 AM
These are my two top requests for the SQ (and Qu) series.

Agreed, If Qu had those (& scribble strips) I'd be a lot more inclined to stay.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: dave briar on December 07, 2017, 09:56:18 AM
Agreed, If Qu had those (& scribble strips) I'd be a lot more inclined to stay.
^^ +10 ^^
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Harvey on December 15, 2017, 02:34:59 PM
Our rep now says that it will be mid January before an SQ appears.   :(

And that's how the Grinch stole Christmas ! 
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Tim McCulloch on December 15, 2017, 04:10:07 PM
Our rep now says that it will be mid January before an SQ appears.   :(

And that's how the Grinch stole Christmas !

Merry Grinchmas!
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on December 15, 2017, 06:38:25 PM
Our rep now says that it will be mid January before an SQ appears.   :(

And that's how the Grinch stole Christmas !

I have two on order and was promised mid December after the first delay ... and now it appears mid January. Not happy at all.  >:( I have work requiring a small mixing desk that I don't have over that period. 

I suspect I will be able to find another solution but luckily M and X 32's are in stock if I get stuck.

Very disappointing the way the release of this desk has been handled.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: RYAN LOUDMUSIC JENKINS on December 15, 2017, 06:51:23 PM
I have one going in an install and I e been told late January arrival.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rick Alan on December 16, 2017, 08:47:02 PM
My SQ5 was shipped yesterday from AM&S.  FedEx says it should be here Tuesday.

Our rep now says that it will be mid January before an SQ appears.   :(

And that's how the Grinch stole Christmas !
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: David Smeaton on December 18, 2017, 09:17:53 AM
This will be like any new product.  The first batch out of the factory will have been for earmarked for demos, VIP dealers and VIP customers.  They also probably underestimated the demand so everyone else has to join the queue until the backlog is cleared.  I had the same issue waiting for some Fractal Audio gear.  The delivery dates kept slipping and I just had to be patient.  It was worth it in the end!
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on December 18, 2017, 09:47:48 AM
Agreed,

I haven't been around long enough to know about mixer product releases; but in general (tech) it seems nearly all product releases are handled poorly. (too much media hype causing demand causing back-orders and only VIP's seeing/getting/using them.)

That said, I expected the delays and I'll just be patient like all technology releases.

I'm mostly concerned that version 1.01 seems more of a beta than real software. I think this because 1.01 is missing some features from the stated manual.

I'm hoping their software dev & testing teams can crank out a 1.1 or 1.2 within the next few months so we have a stable starting platform with a large number of the stated features.

----

The quick answer is you are not likely to find the 99 cent preamp/AD converter chip to be in the same league as the boutique products.

I didn't understand this from earlier. Isn't this an incorrect/simplistic way of thinking about pre-amps?

The pre-amps & AD converter have long been able to be transparent, the difference is that the boutique pre-amps & AD converters aren't trying to be transparent they are trying to 'sound' a certain 'better' way meaning add harmonic distortion that we find pleasing to the ears.

The other threads on pre-amps have always been about how pre-amps don't really affect the sound. Perhaps the AD converters do?

What about articles like this: https://www.prosoundweb.com/channels/recording/mixing_digital_to_feel_like_analog1/
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Tim McCulloch on December 18, 2017, 11:48:20 AM
----

I didn't understand this from earlier. Isn't this an incorrect/simplistic way of thinking about pre-amps?

The pre-amps & AD converter have long been able to be transparent, the difference is that the boutique pre-amps & AD converters aren't trying to be transparent they are trying to 'sound' a certain 'better' way meaning add harmonic distortion that we find pleasing to the ears.

The other threads on pre-amps have always been about how pre-amps don't really affect the sound. Perhaps the AD converters do?

What about articles like this: https://www.prosoundweb.com/channels/recording/mixing_digital_to_feel_like_analog1/

No, I don't think it's either simplistic or incorrect.  Any *recordist* who is accustomed to using preamps that deliberately color the signal will not be happy with "clean" preamps unless she/he suddenly has a change of heart (or ears) about the desired sonic attributes of that input.

Recording is whole separate world with their equivalents of our Live Sound Voodoo thinking, assumptions and old (bad) habits.  t

To compare them is like calling a both a yellow student transportation bus and a band's tour bus "motor coaches".  Yeah, in some respect they are, but in reality they're very different beasts that perform a cursory similar task.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on December 18, 2017, 12:11:05 PM
No, I don't think it's either simplistic or incorrect.  Any *recordist* who is accustomed to using preamps that deliberately color the signal will not be happy with "clean" preamps unless she/he suddenly has a change of heart (or ears) about the desired sonic attributes of that input.

Recording is whole separate world with their equivalents of our Live Sound Voodoo thinking, assumptions and old (bad) habits.  t

To compare them is like calling a both a yellow student transportation bus and a band's tour bus "motor coaches".  Yeah, in some respect they are, but in reality they're very different beasts that perform a cursory similar task.

Okay I think I see what you mean.

It's like comparing apples and oranges.

It isn't the price difference though that matters. It's that one pre-amp is clean and one is coloring the signal on purpose.

In the live-sound world everyone crys over the pre-amp differences between boards when in reality they are all roughly the same (clean), but people like the recording pre-amps that intentionally color the signal.

That's why dLive (and soon SQ) now has emulators for tube preamps so you can take the pure signal and color it however you think best suits the sound.

Correct me if my understanding is incorrect. Thanks!
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Tim McCulloch on December 18, 2017, 01:17:23 PM
Okay I think I see what you mean.

It's like comparing apples and oranges.

It isn't the price difference though that matters. It's that one pre-amp is clean and one is coloring the signal on purpose.

In the live-sound world everyone crys over the pre-amp differences between boards when in reality they are all roughly the same (clean), but people like the recording pre-amps that intentionally color the signal.

That's why dLive (and soon SQ) now has emulators for tube preamps so you can take the pure signal and color it however you think best suits the sound.

Correct me if my understanding is incorrect. Thanks!

I suspect much of this is Voodoo audionomics...  People tend to think they hear what they want to hear (like my BE guy that swore up and down an external word clock improved the sound of an M7 - without it even being enabled on the console).

I also think too many recordists are like guitarists - they hear shit that ONLY THEY CAN HEAR and anyone who cannot hear those things also cannot see the Emperor's new clothes - they are not worthy.

That said, it's a free market and if someone finds having their Lucky Rabbit Foot sitting on the fader of input #3 makes their recordings big fat hits on radio, go for it.  If he wants to write an article about Rabbit Foot charms improving the "sound" of something, ehhh..... damn, I just gave up my big mixing secret! ;)

There are certain vintage EQ and dynamics plug ins that I've become fond of for the way they work, not so much the way simply inserting them "colors" the sound in the mind/ears of some users.  The SSL G Master bus comps work differently than Fairchild 660 and sound different when they work, but I use each of them because of the way they compress, not because they're audio crayons.

But back to preamps - I think there are 2 basic schools of recording:  get the sounds recorded with the least amount of noise & alterations of any kind, then make the changes in the mixdown process; and the "get it down on tape (or disk) with the tracks recorded more in the shape of the final product.  I was trained in the former school of thought (physician, first do no harm) for recording.  My thinking is that I'd rather re-amp (or re-pre) a clean signal than try to clean up a dirty signal, but that's a work flow decision and only applies if I'm the producer as well as engineer...

edit ps - all this hand wringing and clutching of the June Cleaver pearls over preamps is redundant and frankly silly - you can't change them if you don't like them and mostly what one hears that one does not like about a console has almost NOTHING to do with the preamp chip itself - it's whatever the rest of the console circuitry and DSP algorithms have done with that input signal.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: richard_cooper on December 18, 2017, 01:29:11 PM
Then there's This (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaSrXimH3ZI) where the preamp of choice is a Beringer eurorack mixer...
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Art Nadelman on December 18, 2017, 02:06:51 PM
Then there's This (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaSrXimH3ZI) where the preamp of choice is a Beringer eurorack mixer...

Great demo!
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on December 21, 2017, 08:14:08 AM
V 1.1.0 is available.

I don't have my SQ-6 yet, so I don't have access to the download portal for the release notes of what else they changed.

Quote
Hi All,

Firmware V1.1.0 is now available to download for registered SQ users.
 It includes the DEEP Tube Stage preamp and SQ MixPad app support amongst a host of other updates.

Head to allen-heath.com/registersq if you haven’t already registered.
 Registered users have already been sent out an email with download details.

Enjoy!
 Cheers,

Keith.

http://community.allen-heath.com/forums/topic/sq-v1-1-0
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on December 21, 2017, 04:40:52 PM
My distributor called me today to say they got in some SQ-5 mixers today.
They need the new firmware though. So, they made it to New England


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Harvey on December 21, 2017, 04:47:49 PM
My SQ5 was shipped yesterday from AM&S.  FedEx says it should be here Tuesday.

Have you opened it yet ... or did you put a bow on it and are saving it until Christmas morning ?  ;D

If you have received it ... I'm betting it's open.

First impressions ?

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on December 22, 2017, 11:18:53 AM
I'm surprised as to the number of (random to me) people that already have it.

Someone else has the SQ-5 already.

You have to be in the group to see though I think. :(
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChurchSoundMediaTechs/permalink/1537774306299008/
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Scott Bolt on December 22, 2017, 01:42:50 PM
While I am looking forward to the reviews (which I am of the opinion will overwhelmingly say the desk sounds very good), I wouldn't want to be one of the first adopters ..... cutting bloody edge and all ;)

I suspect some glitches for a time.... but the foundation surely looks impressive.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on December 22, 2017, 02:00:41 PM
While I am looking forward to the reviews (which I am of the opinion will overwhelmingly say the desk sounds very good), I wouldn't want to be one of the first adopters ..... cutting bloody edge and all ;)

I suspect some glitches for a time.... but the foundation surely looks impressive.

Absolutely, and the number of feature requests and issues from community.allen-heath.com proves there already are and will be more glitches and improvements.

For me, it's the platform that will, in the end, stand for a number of years as a worth-while investment.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Scott Bolt on December 22, 2017, 04:38:54 PM
Absolutely, and the number of feature requests and issues from community.allen-heath.com proves there already are and will be more glitches and improvements.

For me, it's the platform that will, in the end, stand for a number of years as a worth-while investment.
Yep.  The stage box and IEM mixers rounds out the SQ infrastructure system quite nicely.  I think it is interesting what A&H are attempting to do here (putting my business hat on).

Behringer has all but wholly claimed the low end digital market.  It is very hard to compete with them and their low cost infrastructure system as well as their app support.

A&H has re-established a new market segment.  One between the ultra low end digital (Behringer), and the higher end (D-Live, Digico, etc).  I remember not too many years ago, the champion of the small/medium venue digital mixers was the venerable LS9.  You could get yourself into 32 channels under 10K which was quite a thing back then.

Seems to me like A&H are putting their hat into the ring above the current crop of X32's, Expressions, and the like, but staying well south of pro pricing territory.

The SQ does make me wonder about the fate of the GLD though.  Hard to justify a GLD when you can have D-Live processing in the SQ IMHO.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Robert Healey on December 22, 2017, 05:46:26 PM
The SQ does make me wonder about the fate of the GLD though.  Hard to justify a GLD when you can have D-Live processing in the SQ IMHO.

A&H should update the GLD with the networking options of the SQ, and maybe add a couple features like LCR mixing. There are situations in my installs where the GLD surface is warranted at a higher price than the SQ, but the dSnake protocol is a limiting factor.

While they're at it, they should do the QU-series too so that all of the stage boxes are compatible with all of the mixers.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Albert Benichou on December 23, 2017, 12:13:59 AM
Hello,
just got an Allen & Heath SQ-5 mixer today and after playing a few hours with it I still cannot believe how good it sounds, to the point I am wondering if I need any other piece of gear beside mics and speakers. I am now curious to see if anybody else can share some feelings. So far the only thing I didn't like is the panning, which only shows in a graphic format and not on a digital scale (and a small screen)

I must add that I have been waiting for months for this particular mixer mostly because not only you can use it as live mixer and a daw interface, but also as a 32 channel recorder @ 96KHz with an FPGA engine.

Please help me find some weak points and I will be happy to test them too.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Art Nadelman on December 23, 2017, 08:18:40 AM
A&H should update the GLD with the networking options of the SQ, and maybe add a couple features like LCR mixing.

The GLD does do LCR mixing.
Title: Posting Rules
Post by: Mac Kerr on December 23, 2017, 01:24:44 PM
Please help me find some weak points

Please go to your profile and change the "Name" field to your real first and last name as required by the posting rules displayed in the header at the top of the section, and in the Site Rules and Suggestions (http://forums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/board,36.0.html) in the Forum Announcements section, and on the registration page when you registered.

Mac
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Albert Benichou on December 23, 2017, 02:29:21 PM
Ok, I put my name, but just curious, what's wrong our studio name?
Title: RE: Posting Rules
Post by: Mac Kerr on December 23, 2017, 02:42:29 PM
Ok, I put my name, but just curious, what's wrong our studio name?

Nothing's wrong with your studio name, you just can't use it to post on these forums. In these forums we expect members to stand behind their statements with their name, not post behind an alias.

Mac
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Tim McCulloch on December 23, 2017, 03:48:37 PM
Ok, I put my name, but just curious, what's wrong our studio name?

Nothing wrong with the name if it serves your purpose for recording for hire.

But in at least 3 different places the forums plainly state that "real names are required to post in the live audio forums"...

You've fixed that.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on December 23, 2017, 03:55:14 PM
Yep.  The stage box and IEM mixers rounds out the SQ infrastructure system quite nicely.  I think it is interesting what A&H are attempting to do here (putting my business hat on).

Behringer has all but wholly claimed the low end digital market.  It is very hard to compete with them and their low cost infrastructure system as well as their app support.

A&H has re-established a new market segment.  One between the ultra low end digital (Behringer), and the higher end (D-Live, Digico, etc).  I remember not too many years ago, the champion of the small/medium venue digital mixers was the venerable LS9.  You could get yourself into 32 channels under 10K which was quite a thing back then.

Seems to me like A&H are putting their hat into the ring above the current crop of X32's, Expressions, and the like, but staying well south of pro pricing territory.

The SQ does make me wonder about the fate of the GLD though.  Hard to justify a GLD when you can have D-Live processing in the SQ IMHO.

One (of many) things I like about the GLD is that the surface fader banks can each independently be on any layer.

My LS9 still gets all the outdoor work. Lots of faders.
I just don’t need 2 GLDs anymore though.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Scott Bolt on December 23, 2017, 07:20:45 PM
One (of many) things I like about the GLD is that the surface fader banks can each independently be on any layer.

My LS9 still gets all the outdoor work. Lots of faders.
I just don’t need 2 GLDs anymore though.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Any plans for an SQ Rob?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Thomas Le on December 24, 2017, 12:49:25 AM
Of all things, my church finally decides on upgrading to digital from a GB4-32. Initially they are going for a QU32 but I'm really pushing for an SQ6. Here's to hoping it's easy to train on for the uninitiated...
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Tim McCulloch on December 24, 2017, 05:00:45 AM
Of all things, my church finally decides on upgrading to digital from a GB4-32. Initially they are going for a QU32 but I'm really pushing for an SQ6. Here's to hoping it's easy to train on for the uninitiated...

Basic training on a digital console shouldn't be much different than training on an analog console IF there is no prior training or experience to un-learn.  It's us old guys that go back to the Yamaha PM-1000 days that get tripped up in the workflow... ;)

"Selecting" a channel or feature isn't logically different than hunting up/down a column of knobs for the one you want to change.  It's the UI experience that makes this a bigger deal for 'crossover' operators than newer folks that don't have that history.
Title: Re: RE: Posting Rules
Post by: Kemper Watson on December 24, 2017, 09:13:59 AM
Nothing's wrong with your studio name, you just can't use it to post on these forums. In these forums we expect members to stand behind their statements with their name, not post behind an alias.

Mac

And this is why you're here. Real information from real people..
Title: Re: RE: Posting Rules
Post by: John Fruits on December 24, 2017, 10:44:12 AM
And this is why you're here. Real information from real people..
In fact, you can tell it is for audio professionals, it has a much higher signal to noise ratio.
Title: Re: RE: Posting Rules
Post by: brian maddox on December 24, 2017, 10:52:55 AM
In fact, you can tell it is for audio professionals, it has a much higher signal to noise ratio.

i hear what you did there!
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Chris Eddison on December 24, 2017, 10:59:28 AM
As people are starting to receive their consoles can I ask a few questions that are specifically about the scene recalls please (it's not really covered in the manuals in great depth). My line of work is theatre so a lot of my needs are pretty specific and often not covered very well in the literature for this kind of desk, hence the need to ask;

How fast do the scene recalls feel? Are they near instant or is there a processing delay? If there's a delay is it just the surface catching up or does it affect the audio as well (e.g. if the scene pulls down a channel fader and there's a delay, does the audio go instantly but the fader just take a while to catch up?)?

Can the scene recall change the layout of the desk? i.e. can you bring channels to a layer and then move them away again?

Can the scene recall change a channel's DCA assignment?

Can the scene recall change the channel labels and colours?

Finally on a non-scenes front, how are you finding the chromatic metering? Is it as intuitive as it sounds? In an earlier post I poo pooed it but I don't want to be a stick in the mud if it's actually ok to work with. Most of the time i'm using my meters to pick out the one voice out of 20 open mics who is a bit louder than last time, or looking for the person with the faulty mic who's splatting away to themselves. Good metering is therefore really essential.
Thanks in advance to anybody who can answer any of the above.
Chris
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Mark Amber on December 24, 2017, 12:10:04 PM
As people are starting to receive their consoles can I ask a few questions that are specifically about the scene recalls please (it's not really covered in the manuals in great depth). My line of work is theatre so a lot of my needs are pretty specific and often not covered very well in the literature for this kind of desk, hence the need to ask;

How fast do the scene recalls feel? Are they near instant or is there a processing delay? If there's a delay is it just the surface catching up or does it affect the audio as well (e.g. if the scene pulls down a channel fader and there's a delay, does the audio go instantly but the fader just take a while to catch up?)?

Can the scene recall change the layout of the desk? i.e. can you bring channels to a layer and then move them away again?

Can the scene recall change a channel's DCA assignment?

Can the scene recall change the channel labels and colours?

Finally on a non-scenes front, how are you finding the chromatic metering? Is it as intuitive as it sounds? In an earlier post I poo pooed it but I don't want to be a stick in the mud if it's actually ok to work with. Most of the time i'm using my meters to pick out the one voice out of 20 open mics who is a bit louder than last time, or looking for the person with the faulty mic who's splatting away to themselves. Good metering is therefore really essential.
Thanks in advance to anybody who can answer any of the above.
Chris
One thing I can confirm that you might have already is that the iPad app has a custom meter bridge section... 6 actually. So you can arrange meters exactly how you want. Including having inputs next to outputs and placing blank divider spaces. Personally i think this is a really good way to at a glance see the whole picture even when the desk may only have 8-10 input faders per layer once you factor in VCA for a theater show.

I'm excited to hear about the theater related stuff as this desk truly could be perfect in small community theater stuff. I think the lack of input channels will hurt it for regional/tour stuff but for theater I rarely need more than 12 or so actual handles to "get the job done".

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on December 24, 2017, 08:17:02 PM
 :)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Harvey on December 24, 2017, 08:47:34 PM
Please suffer quietly !   ;D
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on December 28, 2017, 01:20:04 PM
:)

You've had 4 days.

(https://i.imgur.com/6bsCZvw.jpg)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on January 02, 2018, 09:23:26 PM
You've had 4 days.


It’s brilliant – quick and easy to use and sounds fantastic at 96k.  It’s a lot more serious than the Qu. Its a bit like a cross between the Qu and dLive.   It is a small desk and of course does not offer all the features of a dLive C1500 or C2500, but for the $$$ it’s awesome.

It what I would describe as a fully feature desk, but there some limitations - Up to 48 in and 12 stereo/mono Auxes out.  If you need groups you lose Auxes. There’s 8 DCA’s, 8 EFX’s but only 4 dedicated EFX’s sends but 8 returns. You can insert an EFX on a channel and use one of the remaining returns.

You can arrange the channels with a drop & drag function like the GLD or dLive, but I was not able to change the channel color from the factory preset – part of me thinks this is a good idea, I have seen so many crazy color schemes on the iLive that totally confused every guest engineer and tainted what was otherwise a great desk, anyway, I sure many will not agree  ???

The ergonomics are great and I didn’t miss the complete set of tone controls. It has a capacitive touch screen that allows you to scroll across the channels like an iPad, the single led level meters work better than I expected and there is a new feature; Channel-to-all-MIX button.  Select a channel and press the CH-to-all-Mix and all the send levels (Aux, Groups & Efx etc) will spill left to right. Release the button and you are immediately back to where you were – it’s like the blue mix button on the iLive/dlive but it spills all the things being sent from that channel left to right – just love this – I think making this an option on the dLive would be great especially for the C1500 and C2500.

You can see there are going to be a lot more features offered with the firmware upgrades. I suspect 1.2 will be a noticeable improvement.  At the moment there is just one “plugin” for want of a better description – a valve mic-pre that does warm things up or add distortion, if that’s the sound you are after.

Mechanically it feels solid and the faders are smother than the Qu’s – in all, it has to be by far the best small desk on the market at the moment.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Scott Bolt on January 02, 2018, 09:40:54 PM
The verbs?  Compressors?  Are they at DLive levels?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on January 02, 2018, 09:49:37 PM
It’s brilliant

Does it fit in the QU32 case? Or will we need to wait for new cases to come out?

I'm glad its fully functional already. Seemed from the community at A&H it had some major features lacking and some issues with d-snake to where the 1.01 and 1.1 versions of software seemed almost beta (very well tested/stable, but rushed/pushed)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on January 02, 2018, 10:39:58 PM
The verbs?  Compressors?  Are they at DLive levels?

Yes the same - at the moment there was just a standard compressor with a side chain and parallel option. I suspect there will be more with firmware 1.2
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on January 02, 2018, 11:34:17 PM
Does it fit in the QU32 case? Or will we need to wait for new cases to come out?

I'm glad its fully functional already. Seemed from the community at A&H it had some major features lacking and some issues with d-snake to where the 1.01 and 1.1 versions of software seemed almost beta (very well tested/stable, but rushed/pushed)

If you have a look at the picture I posted, its a Qu24 and SQ6 side by side.  With a new foam insert I think it would fit, you may be able to cut out an existing Qu24 case ... not sure I only had a quick look.

Qu - 632mm x 496mm x 186/190mm
SQ - 638mm x 514.9mm x 198 mm

When you look at the firmware (1.0 & 1.1) its obvious to me there is a lot more to come. I expect 1.2 will have some major updates.

At the moment they have not supported the DX32 (due in 1.2) ... it does seem to work but I have had it disconnect with Cat5 but not with cat5e.  Testing different cables as I type  :)  When firmware version 1.2 is released there should be no problems.

I have also used it with an AR2412 - no problems.  I don't have a DX168 to test with it but I have not heard of any issues.

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on January 03, 2018, 08:02:06 AM
It’s brilliant – quick and easy to use and sounds fantastic at 96k.  It’s a lot more serious than the Qu. Its a bit like a cross between the Qu and dLive.   It is a small desk and of course does not offer all the features of a dLive C1500 or C2500, but for the $$$ it’s awesome.

It what I would describe as a fully feature desk, but there some limitations - Up to 48 in and 12 stereo/mono Auxes out.  If you need groups you lose Auxes. There’s 8 DCA’s, 8 EFX’s but only 4 dedicated EFX’s sends but 8 returns. You can insert an EFX on a channel and use one of the remaining returns.

You can arrange the channels with a drop & drag function like the GLD or dLive, but I was not able to change the channel color from the factory preset – part of me thinks this is a good idea, I have seen so many crazy color schemes on the iLive that totally confused every guest engineer and tainted what was otherwise a great desk, anyway, I sure many will not agree  ???

The ergonomics are great and I didn’t miss the complete set of tone controls. It has a capacitive touch screen that allows you to scroll across the channels like an iPad, the single led level meters work better than I expected and there is a new feature; Channel-to-all-MIX button.  Select a channel and press the CH-to-all-Mix and all the send levels (Aux, Groups & Efx etc) will spill left to right. Release the button and you are immediately back to where you were – it’s like the blue mix button on the iLive/dlive but it spills all the things being sent from that channel left to right – just love this – I think making this an option on the dLive would be great especially for the C1500 and C2500.

You can see there are going to be a lot more features offered with the firmware upgrades. I suspect 1.2 will be a noticeable improvement.  At the moment there is just one “plugin” for want of a better description – a valve mic-pre that does warm things up or add distortion, if that’s the sound you are after.

Mechanically it feels solid and the faders are smother than the Qu’s – in all, it has to be by far the best small desk on the market at the moment.

Our church have used both GLD and Qu, and our GLD is currently have lots of problem (vibrating faders, mising scene and failed recall, phantom power goes haywire,etc2). Do you think it is better to replace the GLD with SQ? I wish our GLD mixpad is at least similar to SQ mixpad, the app is so much more intuitive even if it is currently still unfinished.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on January 03, 2018, 02:27:06 PM
Now my ETA is end of Jan :(

Peter, you using your SQ6 on the 11th-14th ;) haha [They say patience is a virtue]

If you have a look at the picture I posted, its a Qu24 and SQ6 side by side.  With a new foam insert I think it would fit, you may be able to cut out an existing Qu24 case ... not sure I only had a quick look.

Qu - 632mm x 496mm x 186/190mm
SQ - 638mm x 514.9mm x 198 mm

Apologies, I meant Qu24* case. I had taken the size dimensions into account; but it looks like you have the same gator case I have for my QU24 and the manual for the SQ specifically mentions covering up the air vents underneath is a big no-no. Care to take a look for me?

When you look at the firmware (1.0 & 1.1) its obvious to me there is a lot more to come. I expect 1.2 will have some major updates.

At the moment they have not supported the DX32 (due in 1.2) ... it does seem to work but I have had it disconnect with Cat5 but not with cat5e.  Testing different cables as I type  :)  When firmware version 1.2 is released there should be no problems.

I have also used it with an AR2412 - no problems.  I don't have a DX168 to test with it but I have not heard of any issues.

That's what I mean, it seems from the community.allen-heath.com posts give the feel that there is MUCH more to come. That's probably good, give some 'life' to the console for the next few years, keeps things relevant.

I saw your post about the DX32; I really think that is the Cat5, I wouldn't use less than Cat6 STP for audio really, it's just too scary to have a dropout on account of a low spec cable. Cat5e is loads more capable than Cat5 too; so there's that...

I'll probably get 2x of the DX168's in the future; and that'll be my setup; for now-copperrrr.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on January 03, 2018, 02:27:25 PM
Our church have used both GLD and Qu, and our GLD is currently have lots of problem (vibrating faders, mising scene and failed recall, phantom power goes haywire,etc2). Do you think it is better to replace the GLD with SQ? I wish our GLD mixpad is at least similar to SQ mixpad, the app is so much more intuitive even if it is currently still unfinished.

Depends on your needs, do you need more than 24 mono mixes? LCR/matrix? keep GLD

Otherwise, get SQ. Also, get GLD fixed?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on January 03, 2018, 03:48:20 PM
Depends on your needs, do you need more than 24 mono mixes? LCR/matrix? keep GLD

Otherwise, get SQ. Also, get GLD fixed?
Or you could buy my 2nd one. 


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on January 03, 2018, 07:57:55 PM
Now my ETA is end of Jan :(

Peter, you using your SQ6 on the 11th-14th ;) haha [They say patience is a virtue]

Apologies, I meant Qu24* case. I had taken the size dimensions into account; but it looks like you have the same gator case I have for my QU24 and the manual for the SQ specifically mentions covering up the air vents underneath is a big no-no. Care to take a look for me?

That's what I mean, it seems from the community.allen-heath.com posts give the feel that there is MUCH more to come. That's probably good, give some 'life' to the console for the next few years, keeps things relevant.

I saw your post about the DX32; I really think that is the Cat5, I wouldn't use less than Cat6 STP for audio really, it's just too scary to have a dropout on account of a low spec cable. Cat5e is loads more capable than Cat5 too; so there's that...

I'll probably get 2x of the DX168's in the future; and that'll be my setup; for now-copperrrr.

Here is a picture of the bottom of the desk.

My testing with the DX32 looks like the firmware is only configured to support 16-in and 8-out at the moment from a single rack - I assume it works fine with multiple 168's. 

It seems to be working fine (so far ... testing is continuing) when I patch my DX32 rack as 16-8 but if I patch it 24-8 it eventually falls over even if I change the cable to a higher spec.  ... looking forward to Firmware 1.2 :)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeremy Young on January 03, 2018, 08:14:07 PM
Thanks for the preliminary review Peter, especially the parts about the feel, since that can't be gleaned from any manuals or webinars!  Channel-to-all-mix sounds pretty slick.

I honestly lost interest in this desk for my backup as soon as I realized it wouldn't talk to my iLive over Dante due to 48k vs 96k sample rates (I hope they're listening). 

Oh well, still good to stay current on these new boards, I think this will be a big seller for A&H. 
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on January 03, 2018, 08:15:19 PM
Our church have used both GLD and Qu, and our GLD is currently have lots of problem (vibrating faders, mising scene and failed recall, phantom power goes haywire,etc2). Do you think it is better to replace the GLD with SQ? I wish our GLD mixpad is at least similar to SQ mixpad, the app is so much more intuitive even if it is currently still unfinished.

The only question I have is how much longer will the GLD remain a current model, its a great little desk and I think it still has some life left, but I don't how much.

To me A&H long term strategy (I'm just guessing) seems to be:-  Qu ... SQ ... C class dLive ... S class dLive.

If you have a GLD 112 I would repair it or up grade to a C class dLive if you can.  If its a GLD80 I would look at the SQ, and of course repairing the 80 would also be an option.

The SQ is very new and it would be nice to buy a bit of time before you have to make a decision.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Scott Bolt on January 03, 2018, 08:30:13 PM
The only question I have is how much longer will the GLD remain a current model, its a great little desk and I think it still has some life left, but I don't how much.

To me A&H long term strategy (I just guessing) seems to be:-  Qu ... SQ ... C class dLive ... S class dLive.

If you have a GLD 112 I would repair it or up grade to a C class dLive if you can.  If its a GLD80 I would look at the SQ, and of course repairing the 80 would also be an option.

The SQ is very new and it would be nice to buy a bit of time before you have to make a decision.
I was thinking the same thing.  An SQ with DLive processing seems like it would play in the same market as a GLD.  Hard to see a reason to have both.  Perhaps others have a different opinion?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on January 03, 2018, 08:36:11 PM
I was thinking the same thing.  An SQ with DLive processing seems like it would play in the same market as a GLD.  Hard to see a reason to have both.  Perhaps others have a different opinion?

They just released an update for the GLD.
I like the split surface. I use that heavily. I would miss it on the SQ. I also like choosing my colors. I use green for vocals. Dedicated colors is something I don’t like on the soundcraft desks.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Caleb Dueck on January 03, 2018, 10:26:28 PM
The only question I have is how much longer will the GLD remain a current model, its a great little desk and I think it still has some life left, but I don't how much.

To me A&H long term strategy (I just guessing) seems to be:-  Qu ... SQ ... C class dLive ... S class dLive.

If you have a GLD 112 I would repair it or up grade to a C class dLive if you can.  If its a GLD80 I would look at the SQ, and of course repairing the 80 would also be an option.

The SQ is very new and it would be nice to buy a bit of time before you have to make a decision.
Long term, DLive "guts" is the logical answer.  DLive S, DLive C, and SQ.  I don't see GLD or Qu in that future.  The space between an SQ6 and C1500 isn't much, I don't know if a "DLive G" could fit.  I would love a 64ch "DLive G" 112 console though!

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on January 04, 2018, 03:01:42 AM
Long term, DLive "guts" is the logical answer.  DLive S, DLive C, and SQ.  I don't see GLD or Qu in that future.  The space between an SQ6 and C1500 isn't much, I don't know if a "DLive G" could fit.  I would love a 64ch "DLive G" 112 console though!

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk
I wish for that too, currently we use about 12 channel for weekly service and 32 channel for orchestral and choir events. The GLD80 will be repaired, but while it goes to repair we need a backup mixer for our weekly services. We also only use 3 mono aux for our monitors and the rest of the auxes are usually used for multiroom distribution and recording (which at most use 8 mono aux). I really like the SQ Mixpad, it seems to me very intuitive even though many features are not available right now. We could also reuse our current audio rack if necessary.

ps: Our GLD80 has this funny vibrating faders during operation, and the cost to repair is about 1200usd (converted) excluding service charge. Our installer inform us that GLD series is discontinued so they do offer discount price for new leftover board though.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Art Nadelman on January 04, 2018, 10:02:14 AM
Our installer inform us that GLD series is discontinued so they do offer discount price for new leftover board though.

The GLD is definitely NOT discontinued.

Where are you located?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on January 04, 2018, 10:21:30 PM
The GLD is definitely NOT discontinued.

Where are you located?

Indonesia, we actually have difficulty sourcing AB168, and thus on our last event we sadly have to purchase AR84. They say that AH close their original factory and move manufacturing to China (our AR84 is made in China while our early AR2412 is still made in England, the purple one). If I'm not mistaken, they are selling the GLD80+AR2412 at price a little bit higher to Qu32 series (about 500usd difference if I recalled correctly).

Notes: I never know that pre-amps needs warm up, the first startup of AR84 it sounded terrible (very mid-centric), only after about 1 week of use it sounded normally, is it normal behaviour? We almost send it back while still have warranty.

Sorry for getting out of topic.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Harvey on January 13, 2018, 03:47:31 PM
Well ... I'm not off to a good relationship with my new SQ-5.   >:(

In just three days of ownership, it has locked up (all controls frozen) on three occasions requiring a power off to recover.

Audio would pass, but no buttons were operational.  Faders would move, but had no effect.

SQ MixPad was running and connection was lost. Upon powering the mixer, SQ MixPad failed to connect.

It's got the latest firmware ... which may need closer examination.

Fortunately, I wasn't at a gig!  Now I'm nervous.

Looks like the X32 will be seeing extended duty.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Scott Bolt on January 13, 2018, 08:50:26 PM
Well ... I'm not off to a good relationship with my new SQ-5.   >:(

In just three days of ownership, it has locked up (all controls frozen) on three occasions requiring a power off to recover.

Audio would pass, but no buttons were operational.  Faders would move, but had no effect.

SQ MixPad was running and connection was lost. Upon powering the mixer, SQ MixPad failed to connect.

It's got the latest firmware ... which may need closer examination.

Fortunately, I wasn't at a gig!  Now I'm nervous.

Looks like the X32 will be seeing extended duty.
The Soundcraft Si series had a similar rough start.  I suspect that things will get ironed out within the next 6 months.  Until then, I would keep that X32 close at hand ;)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Tim McCulloch on January 13, 2018, 09:03:57 PM
Well ... I'm not off to a good relationship with my new SQ-5.   >:(

In just three days of ownership, it has locked up (all controls frozen) on three occasions requiring a power off to recover.

Audio would pass, but no buttons were operational.  Faders would move, but had no effect.

SQ MixPad was running and connection was lost. Upon powering the mixer, SQ MixPad failed to connect.

It's got the latest firmware ... which may need closer examination.

Fortunately, I wasn't at a gig!  Now I'm nervous.

Looks like the X32 will be seeing extended duty.

That's the kind of thing I'd expect from Soundcraft. ;)

Sorry to hear you're having problems, Bob.  Did you contact the A&H USA distributor?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Leonard on January 14, 2018, 12:59:53 AM
Your not being very nice Tim. You've made me very sad.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Tim McCulloch on January 14, 2018, 02:29:20 AM
Your not being very nice Tim. You've made me very sad.

Sorry Bob.  Early release oddities were kind of SOP for Soundcraft Si, especially with regard to the iThingy app.  They got it sorted but it was better to be a late adopter.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Harvey on January 14, 2018, 02:14:34 PM
Sorry to hear you're having problems, Bob.  Did you contact the A&H USA distributor?

Hi Tim ... yes ... I've opened a support request.

Mine locked up again after yesterday's post.  Another user reported the same problem. Unfortunately, he was at a gig and had to do a complete PA shutdown and restart.

So ... I thought about what's going on here.

We were both using the MixPad app when the lock up occurred.  On one occasion I was using a Samsung Galaxy tablet and on others both the Samsung and an iPad.  Then just the iPad by itself.

The resulting lock up condition is identical to pressing the Lock select on the Home screen ... except there is no screen displayed to Unlock the desk.

That leads me to believe that the MixPad app could be sending some sort of lock signal to the desk.  Since the Home screen is not displayed, there is no way to Unlock short of a power reset.  I wonder if we could be touching some combination of items on the MixPad screen that would send a Lock signal ?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Tim McCulloch on January 14, 2018, 03:24:55 PM
Hi Tim ... yes ... I've opened a support request.

Mine locked up again after yesterday's post.  Another user reported the same problem. Unfortunately, he was at a gig and had to do a complete PA shutdown and restart.

So ... I thought about what's going on here.

We were both using the MixPad app when the lock up occurred.  On one occasion I was using a Samsung Galaxy tablet and on others both the Samsung and an iPad.  Then just the iPad by itself.

The resulting lock up condition is identical to pressing the Lock select on the Home screen ... except there is no screen displayed to Unlock the desk.

That leads me to believe that the MixPad app could be sending some sort of lock signal to the desk.  Since the Home screen is not displayed, there is no way to Unlock short of a power reset.  I wonder if we could be touching some combination of items on the MixPad screen that would send a Lock signal ?

That's a good catch in the observation dept, Bob.

Are you in a position to go fully non-remote and see if the failure returns?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on January 14, 2018, 05:36:06 PM
Hi Tim ... yes ... I've opened a support request.

Mine locked up again after yesterday's post.  Another user reported the same problem. Unfortunately, he was at a gig and had to do a complete PA shutdown and restart.

So ... I thought about what's going on here.

We were both using the MixPad app when the lock up occurred.  On one occasion I was using a Samsung Galaxy tablet and on others both the Samsung and an iPad.  Then just the iPad by itself.

The resulting lock up condition is identical to pressing the Lock select on the Home screen ... except there is no screen displayed to Unlock the desk.

That leads me to believe that the MixPad app could be sending some sort of lock signal to the desk.  Since the Home screen is not displayed, there is no way to Unlock short of a power reset.  I wonder if we could be touching some combination of items on the MixPad screen that would send a Lock signal ?

Luckily for you Bob, you have an Allen and Heath. My past experience is that these guys will sort it out for you ASAP!

FWIW I'm not aware of others having issues, but most are not using the Mixpad app. The only thing I have noticed is people consistently raving about the sound quality  :)

Edit "Are you in a position to go fully non-remote and see if the failure returns?"  Tim's suggestion is exactly what you need to do, that will help you as well as A&H to nail down the problem - is it just your desk or is there an issue with the app etc.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Tim McCulloch on January 14, 2018, 08:51:01 PM
Luckily for you Bob, you have an Allen and Heath. My past experience is that these guys will sort it out for you ASAP!

FWIW I'm not aware of others having issues, but most are not using the Mixpad app. The only thing I have noticed is people consistently raving about the sound quality  :)

Edit "Are you in a position to go fully non-remote and see if the failure returns?"  Tim's suggestion is exactly what you need to do, that will help you as well as A&H to nail down the problem - is it just your desk or is there an issue with the app etc.

I think Bob is on to something - perhaps an instruction mis-code, like switching a view on the tablet sends the code for "lock mixer".  I'm sure they'll sort it out.

Ah, being an early adopter beta tester...
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: brian maddox on January 18, 2018, 03:53:49 PM
The Soundcraft Si series had a similar rough start.  I suspect that things will get ironed out within the next 6 months.  Until then, I would keep that X32 close at hand ;)

The comment about the X32 made me LOL...  :)

Seriously, who would have thought that that would be anyone's 'safety mixer'...  :)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Scott Holtzman on January 18, 2018, 05:29:29 PM
The comment about the X32 made me LOL...  :)

Seriously, who would have thought that that would be anyone's 'safety mixer'...  :)

And after all these years the competition still has not achieved feature parity.

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Tim McCulloch on January 18, 2018, 06:39:37 PM
The comment about the X32 made me LOL...  :)

Seriously, who would have thought that that would be anyone's 'safety mixer'...  :)

We can mix if we want to
We can leave your friends behind
Because your friends don't mix
And if they don't mix
They're no friends of mine.

Safety mix....

Okay, now back to the current decade.... 8)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Scott Holtzman on January 18, 2018, 06:45:02 PM
We can mix if we want to
We can leave your friends behind
Because your friends don't mix
And if they don't mix
They're no friends of mine.

Safety mix....

Okay, now back to the current decade.... 8)

I have my hat on.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Tim McCulloch on January 18, 2018, 07:15:25 PM
I have my hat on.

"You can leave your hat on" - Randy Newman

If this thread takes a bigger swerve, Mac will be calling the NTSB.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Scott Bolt on January 18, 2018, 07:47:41 PM
The comment about the X32 made me LOL...  :)

Seriously, who would have thought that that would be anyone's 'safety mixer'...  :)
Yea .... pretty crazy eh?  Even crazier is that I didn't even think about how ironic my statement was until you pointed it out!

You guys have missed your calling.  Comedy is your thing ;)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Dave Garoutte on January 18, 2018, 08:13:28 PM
"You can leave your hat on" - Randy Newman

If this thread takes a bigger swerve, Mac will be calling the NTSB.

I'm actually listening to Randy Newman as I'm reading this! :o
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on January 19, 2018, 10:01:42 AM
And after all these years the competition still has not achieved feature parity.
Which X32 "features" are those? The audio dropouts/explosions due to Ethernet cable sensitivity?  The lack of a touch screen? The inflexible routing?  :)

The X32 was the first digital mixer to not suck too much at a <$4000 price point.  Other than that, I'm unaware of any features the X32 has on the current Soundcrafts and A&H desks.  The SQ series has been out for 5 minutes.  They'll fix the IPad control bug soon, I'm sure.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Chris Hindle on January 19, 2018, 12:50:49 PM
We can mix if we want to
We can leave your friends behind
Because your friends don't mix
And if they don't mix
They're no friends of mine.

Safety mix....

Okay, now back to the current decade.... 8)
Local boys. Mixed them a couple of times, a Loooong time ago....
Good bunch of guys, best I can remember.
Chris.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Scott Bolt on January 19, 2018, 02:10:24 PM
Which X32 "features" are those? The audio dropouts/explosions due to Ethernet cable sensitivity?  The lack of a touch screen? The inflexible routing?  :)

The X32 was the first digital mixer to not suck too much at a <$4000 price point.  Other than that, I'm unaware of any features the X32 has on the current Soundcrafts and A&H desks.  The SQ series has been out for 5 minutes.  They'll fix the IPad control bug soon, I'm sure.
Granted, the finicky nature of the console needing specific ethernet cable configurations is a little annoying, but most other mixers in this price range do not have:

1)  Android remote support
2)  Decent off-line editor (Soundcrafts is particularly bad IMO)
3)  Off-line editor that runs on PC, OSx, and Linux
4)  Side chain triggers for gate and compressor
5)  Adjustable filters on trigger for gate and compressor
6)  Multi-band compressor
7)  Flexible insert points
8)  RTA on all PEQ's and EQ's
9)  2 modes of RTA
10)  6 segment full meter bridge (compared to 1, 3, etc)
11)  Snipits within scenes (much more powerful scene management)
12)  LCD Scribble Strips

I may have miss-stated one or two, or missed one or two as well. 

It isn't really a feature, but it should be stated that the support of the product has been excellent (yea, I'm talking about Behringer here ;) ). 

Another point is that the infrastructure surrounding the mixer is half the cost of the competition (stage boxes, IEM remote mixers, etc).

I agree that it feels strange that someone would consider their Behringer X32 the solid backup solution though ;)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Dan Richardson on February 10, 2018, 11:19:51 AM
but most other mixers in this price range do not have:

1)  Android remote support

8)  RTA on all PEQ's and EQ's

10)  6 segment full meter bridge (compared to 1, 3, etc)

Mixing Station Pro QU adds all of these to the A&H QU series.
For me, it makes these mixers usable.
One hopes David will be porting in the SQ series, as well.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Kevin Maxwell on February 10, 2018, 11:51:24 AM
Is anyone using Midi over TCP/IP using the Ethernet connection using a Windows computer? If you are doing Midi over Ethernet did you have to load an Ethernet – Midi driver for a PC? If you did what Midi  TCP/IP driver are you using? I am on Win7pro 64. I am aware that I can do Midi over USB on the SQ6.


I want to learn how to do Midi over Ethernet on anSQ6 because I will have access to one and I will have more limited access to a dLive and on that mixer it looks like Midi over Ethernet is the only choice there isn’t a USB connector for that on the dLive. So if I can get it working on a Windows PC over the Ethernet on an SQ6 then I assume the same will work for the dLive.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 14, 2018, 09:12:48 PM
Sorry Kevin, I can't help you (yet)

But my valentines gift to myself came in  ;D

I guess Santa didn't forget about me  8)

---

I'll do some review type stuff as I 'play' with it.

There's been some troubleshooting type posts over at the A&H forums so while I'd love to take it out to this gig on Friday, I'm not sure I should without some testing.

---

Anyone have anything specific they want me to checkout for them, or does most of y'all already have your SQ's?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on February 14, 2018, 10:40:02 PM
Sorry Kevin, I can't help you (yet)

But my valentines gift to myself came in  ;D

I guess Santa didn't forget about me  8)

---

I'll do some review type stuff as I 'play' with it.

There's been some troubleshooting type posts over at the A&H forums so while I'd love to take it out to this gig on Friday, I'm not sure I should without some testing.

---

Anyone have anything specific they want me to checkout for them, or does most of y'all already have your SQ's?

Our planned Sq board backlogged at distributors for 3 months, might need to change to alternatives if it doesn't come in 3 months :'(.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Art Nadelman on February 15, 2018, 08:56:42 AM
Our planned Sq board backlogged at distributors for 3 months, might need to change to alternatives if it doesn't come in 3 months :'(.

You waiting on an SQ-5 or an SQ-6?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on February 17, 2018, 10:23:21 AM
You waiting on an SQ-5 or an SQ-6?
SQ-5, it is priced a bit cheaper than Qu-32 here and that's what the distributor currently stock before running out. They (the distributor) actually only advertise the SQ-5 and the DX168 expansion price as of now and has no pricing for SQ6.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Kevin Maxwell on February 17, 2018, 10:30:06 AM
Is anyone using Midi over TCP/IP using the Ethernet connection using a Windows computer? If you are doing Midi over Ethernet did you have to load an Ethernet – Midi driver for a PC? If you did what Midi  TCP/IP driver are you using? I am on Win7pro 64. I am aware that I can do Midi over USB on the SQ6.


I want to learn how to do Midi over Ethernet on anSQ6 because I will have access to one and I will have more limited access to a dLive and on that mixer it looks like Midi over Ethernet is the only choice there isn’t a USB connector for that on the dLive. So if I can get it working on a Windows PC over the Ethernet on an SQ6 then I assume the same will work for the dLive.

I have an SQ6 to play with at the moment, it isn’t mine. Well it looks like Midi on the USB port (on the back) isn’t even enabled on the SQ6.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Magnus Högkvist on February 17, 2018, 11:10:07 AM
I have an SQ6 to play with at the moment, it isn’t mine. Well it looks like Midi on the USB port (on the back) isn’t even enabled on the SQ6.

How about OSC?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Kevin Maxwell on February 17, 2018, 12:00:15 PM
How about OSC?

None of the A&H consoles work with OSC only Midi. It is supposed to do Midi over Ethernet according to the documentation. But they don’t have a Windows PC driver for that. I am planning on trying a generic one today and see if it works. But I don’t know if even that Midi is enabled on the SQ6 yet.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Bob Harvey on February 18, 2018, 09:47:53 PM
According to A&H ...

"DAW Control and MIDI control are not yet available for SQ.  DAW control is being worked on currently."
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on February 20, 2018, 03:44:54 PM
Our planned Sq board backlogged at distributors for 3 months, might need to change to alternatives if it doesn't come in 3 months :'(.

My distributor has SQ5s in stock.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jason Raboin on February 20, 2018, 09:38:53 PM
My distributor has SQ5s in stock.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Are you sure about that?  We live in the same area and mine does not as of this afternoon.  Shipping in a couple of weeks.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on February 20, 2018, 11:16:28 PM
My distributor has SQ5s in stock.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Well we probably are from different continent ;D. Anyway seems like we might purchase Qu series instead (probably the Qu32) :-\
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 21, 2018, 08:19:53 AM
Well we probably are from different continent ;D. Anyway seems like we might purchase Qu series instead (probably the Qu32) :-\

Could you rent until you can get SQ? SQ is wayy more board than QU.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on February 21, 2018, 08:26:45 AM
Connecting SQ to Qu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcKhHFQTRQU
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 21, 2018, 08:44:23 AM
Connecting SQ to Qu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcKhHFQTRQU

What I find impressive is it wasn't even planned or mentioned. It just happened.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Tim McCulloch on February 21, 2018, 11:35:34 AM
Well we probably are from different continent ;D. Anyway seems like we might purchase Qu series instead (probably the Qu32) :-\

We tend to be USA/North America-centric here.  There is a field in your Forum Profile settings called "personal text" that you can use to display your location, and you can be as specific or vague as you choose.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on February 21, 2018, 01:54:17 PM
Are you sure about that?  We live in the same area and mine does not as of this afternoon.  Shipping in a couple of weeks.

They left me a phone message yesterday morning telling me they got a shipment in just in case I could sell some.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Tommy Shannon on February 21, 2018, 04:15:47 PM
Maybe this will be considered off-topic, but since I am considering the M32R, can anyone provide their subjective opinion on the difference in audio quality between the SQ and M32R? For full disclosure I have a Midas Venice32 that I really like but don't take out anymore, and have been using a Yamaha LS9-16 but find that to be a sub-optimal live music board and a bit 'sterile' sounding, though very reliable.

Cheers,
Tom
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on February 21, 2018, 05:31:48 PM
Maybe this will be considered off-topic, but since I am considering the M32R, can anyone provide their subjective opinion on the difference in audio quality between the SQ and M32R? For full disclosure I have a Midas Venice32 that I really like but don't take out anymore, and have been using a Yamaha LS9-16 but find that to be a sub-optimal live music board and a bit 'sterile' sounding, though very reliable.

Cheers,
Tom

To me the LS9 and M7 are one of the few boards where I notice a negative impact on sound quality.  Things like the X32 and the M32 sound fine.  I think my Midas Pro2 sounds slightly better than the M32 and our dLive even better again.

My first impression is that the SQ with the DX racks at 96kHz sounds like the dLive – fantastic. A lot of SQ owners are commenting on its excellent sound quality.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeff Lelko on February 21, 2018, 09:19:12 PM
Could you rent until you can get SQ? SQ is wayy more board than QU.

I agree 100% with this.  I've seen both boards in person and the Qu left a lot to be desired in my opinion (and I say that owning a Qu-Pac).  I much preferred the Si Impact sitting next to the Qu-32 in the demo room.  After seeing the SQ I'd take that over the Impact as well.  Truth be told, I came away feeling that the SQ series is really what the Qu series should have been to begin with.  For the money it's hard to do better unless you prefer the X/M32 for its widespread acceptance.   
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on February 21, 2018, 10:02:22 PM
Could you rent until you can get SQ? SQ is wayy more board than QU.
I wish we could do that, but seems renting is not an option by the church board. I really want to experience that 96khz goodness tho.

We tend to be USA/North America-centric here.  There is a field in your Forum Profile settings called "personal text" that you can use to display your location, and you can be as specific or vague as you choose.

That's why I tend to be the silent reader, learn quite a lot from here (except in regards to procuring products 8))
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 21, 2018, 11:09:49 PM
Okay so I've just played around with my SQ6 in my office.

Spent forever (I'm not well versed with DAW's) figuring out how to make Studio One and then Tracktion send multitrack to the board. [SQ AISO driver installed fine on W7 x64 and showed up immediately... once I plugged it in  :-[ ]

Tried midi for you Kevin; couldn't get anything :(

Some initial thoughts in no particular order:

-  Chromatic Channel Metering is excellent. I changed the "lower nominal level" color to yellow from 'green'. and moved the "active open mic" lower limit to -55dB from -50dB. I think that should be the default. I also think there should be extra buttons to load 'presets' eg. this preset works great for this recording/multitrack session. Live will probably be different. Shows contain the settings for this.

- The Layer buttons flash red when clipping is occurring indicating issues on other layers. Perfect. (there is a separate peak light that lights ~3 or 4 dB before 1kHz audible clipping).

- Really needs some way to speed up routing/patching all the inputs.
*patch - one-to-one patch all button
*DCA & Mute Grp assign - blocks of 8 and or select all buttons

- Turning control needs to pop-up the value on the screen

- Processing button always goes to home view (multiple input view) It should toggle to a channel view if pressed multiple times

- If I press HPF section of the channel overview it should send me to the EQ portion so I can see the HPF

- I don't like HPF being white/grey [most devices use that as off/unselected] HPF should be purple and LF EQ should be green

- view button to see processing is desperately needed (I saw a suggestion to add a setting to change the 'In' button to 'view' for that processing block)

- I just realized the matricies (really all the outputs) have a source select and can be 'mixed' into what the aux/matrix/group/main has. The problem is the outputs are not "phase coherent" with the inputs, perhaps with eachother, but the pink noise is definitely different when combining the [main output > matrix + ch output > matrix]

- I'd like a 'mode' where anytime I do anything the screen goes to that processing view for that channel/encoder/button. The screen seems to always end up in a state that isn't usable and I have to go hunting for the processing view I 'want' I'd rather the screen just follow what I'm doing. But I can see when that wouldn't be helpful, so... make it a toggle (perhaps when programing/during practice but not during show, so you can make internal changes and mix at the same time.

- Scribble strips should have been larger, and we want control of the colors. [though i couldn't care less about the 'symbols' for instruments and such, no one looks at that...just the name.]

- the view button should just toggle between modes (name, input, input type) not the weird press and double press and hold stuff.

- channel names should be longer

- reset the L/R balance somehow would be nice?

- EQ width control knob can't send EQ to shelf. Must use the universal control knob. Rather annoying, you'll only make the mistake once so it makes that entire width knob on the LF & HF filters fairly pointless as you'll always be using the universal encoder.

- HPF & LPF!!

- REALLY REALLY REALLY want the trim to be an ACTUAL DIGITAL trim not another preamp gain control :( digital boards really should just come with this  see below posts

- never used any sort of tube stage. Really curious as to how that sounds/works.

---
Overall a good board. Lots of little things to nit pick at. Other products we're comparing to are fully mature, not quite fair.

over the next year or two we shall see substantial development for SQ ecosystem. They're getting the basics out of the way, connectivity; core features. Updates will come, though I still think QU needs one last update (beyond 2.93...) before they abandon it... :/

I agree with Jeff, this is what QU should have been. and there should be a ~6.5k board that combines GLD & SQ for an in-between QU/Dlive C series... meh whatever?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 21, 2018, 11:14:27 PM
I wish we could do that, but seems renting is not an option by the church board. I really want to experience that 96khz goodness tho.

That's why I tend to be the silent reader, learn quite a lot from here (except in regards to procuring products 8))

That's just silly. I've never understood how a church board dictates so much in tech decisions. & my target market is churches! hah

FYI, I wouldn't really care about the 96kHz I'd care more about scribble strips & sound quality & capability.

We have plenty of people from all timezones here ;)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 21, 2018, 11:33:58 PM
- when Patching from the channel & selecting the type of input (unassign, local, SLink, USB, IO Port, signal generator) the default should be whatever that channel normally is (IE ch 4 = default to #4 of usb/IO/sLink/Local).

- Tube stage even maxed out is quite subtle on any setting. Perhaps I'm not using it correctly though. I did have a thought of using the tube stage as a 'trim' feature. But it is changing the sound even when I have the dials turned to off as much as I can tell. Need to run smaart through it and see whats going on :)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Caleb Dueck on February 21, 2018, 11:39:50 PM


I agree with Jeff, this is what QU should have been. and there should be a ~6.5k board that combines GLD & SQ for an in-between QU/Dlive C series... meh whatever?

My vote for GLD replacement is an SQ7.  Processing in the surface instead of in the stage rack.  Larger surface with a few more knobs. 

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 21, 2018, 11:50:40 PM
- major annoyance that the board pops during turn-on/off :(

- the 'home' screen (to turn the board off/lock it) is when nothing is selected; kinda annoying to find all the places you've 'selected' menus/channels and deselect.

My vote for GLD replacement is an SQ7.  Processing in the surface instead of in the stage rack.  Larger surface with a few more knobs. 

We shall see won't we?

One of my major problems with the current 'ecosysem' is the lack of 96kHz stage boxes that interface to the ME-U/ME-1/ME-500's. Without the sLink card it makes it difficult. After the sLink card you might want to run waves/dante as well... I feel like that is a giant omission.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Mac Kerr on February 21, 2018, 11:55:43 PM
- REALLY REALLY REALLY want the trim to be an ACTUAL DIGITAL trim not another preamp gain control :( digital boards really should just come with this

Can you explain what you mean by this? I have no familiarity with the console, are you saying that there are 2 gain trims on each channel and they both do the same thing? That's what it sounds like.

Mac
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 22, 2018, 12:58:17 AM
Can you explain what you mean by this? I have no familiarity with the console, are you saying that there are 2 gain trims on each channel and they both do the same thing? That's what it sounds like.

Mac

I wasn't clear to anyone but myself, my bad.

FYI for the sake of this discussion, there is a 'universal control knob' (bottom right of screen not in picture) that controls parameters on the screen after having been selected via the touchscreen.

Yes, there is a 'preamp' gain with a physical control knob (the universal knob can also control this parameter) it is top left. This shows 1dB changes. AND a trim section that can be highlighted and controlled via the universal knob. That shows 0.1dB changes

I revisited the processing page just to make sure I wasn't doing a stupid before writing out a huge post. I was.

As it turns out, when the input source is the USB socket (digital) the preamp & digital trim are the same, with trim giving a more granular look. When the input source is a local socket (or analogue via digital snake) then the trim and preamp are separate controls.

I still think the trim placement in the signal chain is silly. Why would you trim right after the preamp? it serves no purpose other than giving you headroom for compression... if you need that much headroom to compress then you're doing it wrong. Really the best thing to do would be have the ability to insert the 'trim function' anywhere along the signal chain (typically before/after EQ). The easiest/simplest thing to do would be give me the ability to put negative numbers in the compressor's output gain.

---

More notes:

-Side note, they allow MUCH finer control (0.1dB steps) over MANY parameters & give numeric feedback when compared to QU.

-most parameters will reset to true zero instead of +/- 0.1dB like Qu (pet peeve of mine)

- The signal generator is fantastic FYI, from 20-30hz the granularity is .1dB and it doubles for every doubling of Hz.

- I don't like that there isn't LCR or LR+M mixing

- I don't like that st channels have to be even/odd pairs (1/2, 3/4, etc)

- There should be a way to get to the stereo/mono configurability page from the pre-amp. It's confusing to get to the input 'stereo section.' "‘Setup’ screen, touch the ‘Mixer Config’ tab, then touch either ‘Input Stereo’or ‘Mix Stereo’."

- While limited in LCR, the other modes are fantastic; already put them to good use when I helped install a SQ6. They had the computer sending loop & click L/R, so in their scene we sent input one L/L (meaning both L and R speakers got the left input, and same for right)

- I like the analogue -10dB or +4dB level settings in the preamp. That's nifty.

- naming of channel "apply" needs to go away in favor of "OK" I don't need to 'apply' and then 'close' the menu, just OK=save & close is fine.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 22, 2018, 01:01:15 AM
By the way, the technical-datasheet doesn't show and the manual doesn't explain where the deep processing / tube preamp lies in the signal path.

I'm guessing, but I think it is AFTER the digital trim, and before the HPF.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Mac Kerr on February 22, 2018, 02:17:00 AM
As it turns out, when the input source is the USB socket (digital) the preamp & digital trim are the same, with trim giving a more granular look. When the input source is a local socket (or analogue via digital snake) then the trim and preamp are separate controls.

I think the primary reason for having a digital trim is for when the source is digital. Since there is no preamp to adjust with a digital input the trim is the way you set the level. With an analog input, it gives you the option to trim the channel level while keeping the preamp gain optimized for the best level to the AD convertor.

Quote
I still think the trim placement in the signal chain is silly. Why would you trim right after the preamp? it serves no purpose other than giving you headroom for compression... if you need that much headroom to compress then you're doing it wrong. Really the best thing to do would be have the ability to insert the 'trim function' anywhere along the signal chain (typically before/after EQ). The easiest/simplest thing to do would be give me the ability to put negative numbers in the compressor's output gain.

I don't think any other place is any better to have the trim. Where ever it ends up there are other ways to accomplish what it might do.

Mac
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Spenser Hamilton on February 22, 2018, 06:54:50 AM
I think the primary reason for having a digital trim is for when the source is digital. Since there is no preamp to adjust with a digital input the trim is the way you set the level. With an analog input, it gives you the option to trim the channel level while keeping the preamp gain optimized for the best level to the AD convertor.

I don't think any other place is any better to have the trim. Where ever it ends up there are other ways to accomplish what it might do.

Mac

Mac is right, typically I only use digital trim on MADI or AES sources, occasionally a really hot keyboard input if it's not clipping the preamp and I am too lazy to walk to the stage and pad the DI box.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on February 22, 2018, 07:46:58 AM
The digital trim is used for doing monitor splits; so the gain on the monitor desk can be adjusted without effecting the gain of the Mic pre's on the FOH console. (or visa versa as per A&H's video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD3L0SK0FTA
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 22, 2018, 07:58:36 AM
I think the primary reason for having a digital trim is for when the source is digital. Since there is no preamp to adjust with a digital input the trim is the way you set the level. With an analog input, it gives you the option to trim the channel level while keeping the preamp gain optimized for the best level to the AD convertor.

I don't think any other place is any better to have the trim. Where ever it ends up there are other ways to accomplish what it might do.

Mac

You're right, that makes complete sense.

I was used to QU where those were combined into the single control, the trim functionality wasn't broken up. I still don't see why it should be broken up.

What I don't get is why the need to decrease level, it is either at 0dBFS or it isn't. I can see adding gain though.

---

What I've always thought digital trim was to keep the input preamp 'hot' for sends, direct outs, & other prefader outputs and then pad down the level to the fader (so the fader is closer to zero) for finer control.

https://www.prosoundweb.com/channels/church/church_sound_2-5_ways_to_set_up_input_gain1/
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 22, 2018, 08:00:55 AM
The digital trim is used for doing monitor splits; so the gain on the monitor desk can be adjusted without effecting the gain of the Mic pre's on the FOH console. (or visa versa as per A&H's video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD3L0SK0FTA

While that's great, I still don't see why it's necessary. It is either peaking or it isn't. If it isn't peaking it isn't a problem (for the sound, workflow might be compromised I guess?)

---

Video is good, didn't realize GLD was so mature in those capabilities.

-SQ needs to have the same feature: lock board to digital trim OR analogue trim.

-SQ also needs that speed patching thing that GLD has.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Art Nadelman on February 22, 2018, 09:00:55 AM
- major annoyance that the board pops during turn-on/off :(


This should never, ever happen because your speakers should be off whenever you turn your mixer on or off.  Speakers should be the first device off and the last device on.  Always!
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on February 22, 2018, 09:02:00 AM
While that's great, I still don't see why it's necessary. It is either peaking or it isn't. If it isn't peaking it isn't a problem (for the sound, workflow might be compromised I guess?)

---

Video is good, didn't realize GLD was so mature in those capabilities. SQ needs to have the same feature: lock board to digital trim OR analogue trim.

Your gain structure needs to be set up so that the analogy signals is large enough with respect to the input of AD converter to produce a digital signal with a reasonable amount of bits. This ensures a good signal to noise ratio and audio quality.

In the analogue world this was done with the gain pot.  It’s more or less the same in Mic pre’s of a digital console but it’s done in small analogue steps – think in terms of a computer controlled switched resistor bank not a variable pot.

When you are mixing you need to have reasonable physical control over things, you need the fader to sit around the zero point so if you need to push the level a little for a solo you have a sensible amount of fader travel.
 
When you are sharing the same mic- pre’s in a FOH / FB application what nice for the FOH engineer may not suit the FB engineer – digital trim gives the engineer the ability to set the gain structure to suit their mix better.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 22, 2018, 09:25:48 AM
This should never, ever happen because your speakers should be off whenever you turn your mixer on or off.  Speakers should be the first device off and the last device on.  Always!

That's kinda like saying turn off the fuel valve so the engine uses up the gas in the line. We invented injectors and engines that tolerate that so now we have autostart/stop that saves fuel. Innovate/improve or die.

We have sufficiently cheap technology that makes popping in all the digital snakes that we operate nonexistent. DO THE SAME THING FOR LOCAL. I find it incredulous anyone would design a system that can damage other things when it isn't that hard to fix.

Also, that's for best case scenarios. We all know that we need to plan for the worse. What if FOH console goes down, but comes back before you've had time to mute/turn off the speakers?

It's just lazy design IMO. There's no real excuse.
---

Your gain structure needs to be set up so that the analogy signals is large enough with respect to the input of AD converter to produce a digital signal with a reasonable amount of bits. This ensures a good signal to noise ratio and audio quality.


I'm not sure I agree with the mentality that more bits = better sound anymore. SNR & output send gain structure? Sure.

But if the analogue signal is sufficiently converted into digital (minimum voltage necessary to engage the 'bits'), the reconstructed analogue is always the same signal as input.

In the analogue world this was done with the gain pot.  It’s more or less the same in Mic pre’s of a digital console but it’s done in small analogue steps – think in terms of a computer controlled switched resistor bank not a variable pot.

When you are mixing you need to have reasonable physical control over things, you need the fader to sit around the zero point so if you need to push the level a little for a solo you have a sensible amount of fader travel.
 
When you are sharing the same mic- pre’s in a FOH / FB application what nice for the FOH engineer may not suit the FB engineer – digital trim gives the engineer the ability to set the gain structure to suit their mix better.

gain/preamp/headamp = analogue domain (digitally controlled or manually, still controls the analogue level into the rest of the circuit (digital or analogue). Yes, that's necessary and good. You need sufficient headroom above the input level to do EQ/Compression (boosts).

I agree the digital trim is a good addition for the application you suggest.

I don't see it as necessary, but I also haven't mixed monitors from anywhere other than FOH. And I still think it would be better if there was a 2nd one right after EQ/before fader to setup the 'channel' so it is in the 'zero point' range.

The 2nd one would allow the signal to come in 'hot' through all the DO, Sends, & processing.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Kevin Maxwell on February 22, 2018, 03:44:52 PM
Maybe this will be considered off-topic, but since I am considering the M32R, can anyone provide their subjective opinion on the difference in audio quality between the SQ and M32R? For full disclosure I have a Midas Venice32 that I really like but don't take out anymore, and have been using a Yamaha LS9-16 but find that to be a sub-optimal live music board and a bit 'sterile' sounding, though very reliable.

Cheers,
Tom

I have a Midas M32 and a loaner SQ6 sitting next to me right now. I was given it by a sound company that wanted me to run it thru its paces and figure out if it would be a good choice for a client. I don’t like to talk bad about a piece of equipment when it is ease of use or user interface issues as has been mentioned in the last couple of pages in this thread. Some of that can be just in the capabilities of the user to understand and some of it can be in the regularity of the use. Some of the navigational issues can eventually (hopefully) be worked out in the firmware. But at this time I would not recommend the SQ6 for this client. I know there capabilities and their fussiness. I hope A&H will improve upon the way you get at things, but some of that is due to the fact that you are forced to use the touch screen with no alternative. I can go into detail of this if requested.

I don’t feel that any overall sound difference is enough between the M32 and the SQ6 to have to put up with the navigational issues, at the moment. For some the SQ6 is an excellent choice.

There is a lot to like about the SQ6. The ability to define the fader layout on any layer is great. I really like that if you have a stereo input that it takes up only one fader. For vocals I like the reverb better on the SQ6 then on the M32. I tried going back and forth to see if I could make one of the reverbs sound more like the SQ6 and I got close but it isn’t easy. And I might be able to get there with enough time.

That’s my thoughts at the moment.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 22, 2018, 03:59:04 PM
I have a Midas M32 and a loaner SQ6 sitting next to me right now. I was given it by a sound company that wanted me to run it thru its paces and figure out if it would be a good choice for a client.

I don’t like to talk bad about a piece of equipment when it is ease of use or user interface issues as has been mentioned in the last couple of pages in this thread. Some of that can be just in the capabilities of the user to understand and some of it can be in the regularity of the use.

Some of the navigational issues can eventually (hopefully) be worked out in the firmware. But at this time I would not recommend the SQ6 for this client. I know there capabilities and their fussiness.

I hope A&H will improve upon the way you get at things, but some of that is due to the fact that you are forced to use the touch screen with no alternative. I can go into detail of this if requested.

I don’t feel that any overall sound difference is enough between the M32 and the SQ6 to have to put up with the navigational issues, at the moment. For some the SQ6 is an excellent choice.

There is a lot to like about the SQ6.
-The ability to define the fader layout on any layer is great.
-I really like that if you have a stereo input that it takes up only one fader.
-For vocals I like the reverb better on the SQ6 then on the M32. I tried going back and forth to see if I could make one of the reverbs sound more like the SQ6 and I got close but it isn’t easy. And I might be able to get there with enough time.

That’s my thoughts at the moment.

Do expand!

Disclaimer: I don't have a TON of experience on x32/m32.

I didn't like that the x32/m32 didn't have touch, but I do like the navigational experience. Though I wouldn't say I used the physical controls for much. I'm interested on being illuminated.

---

I like your approach about not giving things a 'bad rap' based upon little use. Probably a wiser approach. I wanted to layout a 'raw' look at the board in a half cocked sort of way.

---

I agree with the synopsis that the user interface is 'chunky.' I want the board to glide, but it just doesn't. :/ oh well. I care more about processing capabilities than interface...which is why I got SQ.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on February 22, 2018, 04:34:28 PM
Do expand!

Disclaimer: I don't have a TON of experience on x32/m32.

I didn't like that the x32/m32 didn't have touch, but I do like the navigational experience. Though I wouldn't say I used the physical controls for much. I'm interested on being illuminated.

---

I like your approach about not giving things a 'bad rap' based upon little use. Probably a wiser approach. I wanted to layout a 'raw' look at the board in a half cocked sort of way.

---

I agree with the synopsis that the user interface is 'chunky.' I want the board to glide, but it just doesn't. :/ oh well. I care more about processing capabilities than interface...which is why I got SQ.
The below isn't directed to Nathan or Kevin specifically, but is a general thought. 

I have said this before, but I would suggest that the price tag should be thoroughly considered when evaluating the pros and cons of this (or any budget-class) board.  Most of the first 25 pages of this thread extol the features and capabilities, some of which were comparisons to boards costing 5-10X the price of the SQ.  Some of the user interface limitations may be related to imperfect design and might be fixable with software updates, but some of them are due to the price point of the board - i.e. only one band worth of EQ knobs rather than a full set like on the GLD.

I have also said before that it's never been easier to make good sound - there are reasonable budget-priced products from multiple vendors in every category - mics, mixers, speakers, cable, etc.  It's a good time to be in audio (unless you're trying to depreciate lots of old gear).
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Kevin Maxwell on February 22, 2018, 05:04:13 PM
Do expand!

Disclaimer: I don't have a TON of experience on x32/m32.

I didn't like that the x32/m32 didn't have touch, but I do like the navigational experience. Though I wouldn't say I used the physical controls for much. I'm interested on being illuminated.

---

I like your approach about not giving things a 'bad rap' based upon little use. Probably a wiser approach. I wanted to layout a 'raw' look at the board in a half cocked sort of way.

---

I agree with the synopsis that the user interface is 'chunky.' I want the board to glide, but it just doesn't. :/ oh well. I care more about processing capabilities than interface...which is why I got SQ.

I like touch screens but they don’t always like me. I find I have to hit something more than once for it to take my input.

On the SQ6 if you want to adjust certain things, like anything but the threshold on the compressor, you have to get the compressor screen up and then you have to touch each place on the screen to select what you want to adjust. Then use the unlabeled rotary knob (to the bottom right of the screen) to make the adjustment. If you can do things 2 handed that helps.

On the M32 when on the Compressor screen the rotary knobs under the screen become your control knobs. I like the auto function on the compressor and the variable knee on the M32. 

The more you use any digital console the more comfortable you will get with the way it works. Or should I say the way you have to work on it to make it work. When using different digital consoles I find when I haven’t been on one in a little while I find myself sitting there going, I know I can do this on this console now where on earth is that.

One touch screen story. I was using an outdoor venues’ Yamaha CL5 (that is put away every night) and the touch screen looked like someone had been drinking chunky coffee and sneezed on the screen with a mouth full. Obviously I had to clean the screen before using the mixer.

And this is just my feelings about the touch screen part of the interface.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on February 22, 2018, 05:23:31 PM
I have a Midas M32 and a loaner SQ6 sitting next to me right now. I was given it by a sound company that wanted me to run it thru its paces and figure out if it would be a good choice for a client. I don’t like to talk bad about a piece of equipment when it is ease of use or user interface issues as has been mentioned in the last couple of pages in this thread. Some of that can be just in the capabilities of the user to understand and some of it can be in the regularity of the use. Some of the navigational issues can eventually (hopefully) be worked out in the firmware. But at this time I would not recommend the SQ6 for this client. I know there capabilities and their fussiness. I hope A&H will improve upon the way you get at things, but some of that is due to the fact that you are forced to use the touch screen with no alternative. I can go into detail of this if requested.

I don’t feel that any overall sound difference is enough between the M32 and the SQ6 to have to put up with the navigational issues, at the moment. For some the SQ6 is an excellent choice.

There is a lot to like about the SQ6. The ability to define the fader layout on any layer is great. I really like that if you have a stereo input that it takes up only one fader. For vocals I like the reverb better on the SQ6 then on the M32. I tried going back and forth to see if I could make one of the reverbs sound more like the SQ6 and I got close but it isn’t easy. And I might be able to get there with enough time.

That’s my thoughts at the moment.

I'm the opposite, I can fly around the SQ but find the X32 a little slow in comparison.  I love the new - CH to All Mix button.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Kevin Maxwell on February 22, 2018, 05:40:27 PM
I'm the opposite, I can fly around the SQ but find the X32 a little slow in comparison.  I love the new - CH to All Mix button.

This is going to sound funny but I find that I am much faster on the M32 then I am on an X32. The layout is just enough different (very slightly) that it throws me off a little bit. I actually have to look at the X32 more than I do the M32.

I also find it funny looking at the M32 sitting here next to the SQ6 it makes the SQ6 look so small. And I used to think that the M32 was so small.

I think the SQ6 will be a great board for a lot of people.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 22, 2018, 05:53:26 PM
WRT: Touchscreen

I think the touchscreen has the ability to speed up interfacing with the menus & configuration options. The arrow keys are just plain silly and slow. You can scroll for an hour and not get to what you want...

The compressor example I can see, it is one click to get the parameter you want and then use the encoder to change it.

I'm hoping the customization rotaries can help alleviate this...?

I think the main thing for me is the touchscreen feels like an older heat based (slow/have to press hard) touchscreen not the nice slick ones (fast, light touch) we have on our phones. I'm sure the reason is so we don't change something accidentally, but I'd rather have the light touch and it feel more responsive.

I think the SQ6 will be a great board for a lot of people.

To everyone reading along with us.

This is the key. While Kevin and I have harped on the SQ6 a bit we still think it is a great board for lots of people!

Church or band that needs personal mixers & 40+ch's ? SQ6 is probably a better fit.
Church or band that needs less than 40...? M32 might be the ticket.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Kevin Maxwell on February 22, 2018, 06:07:43 PM
WRT: Touchscreen

I think the touchscreen has the ability to speed up interfacing with the menus & configuration options. The arrow keys are just plain silly and slow. You can scroll for an hour and not get to what you want...

The compressor example I can see, it is one click to get the parameter you want and then use the encoder to change it.

I'm hoping the customization rotaries can help alleviate this...?

I think the main thing for me is the touchscreen feels like an older heat based (slow/have to press hard) touchscreen not the nice slick ones (fast, light touch) we have on our phones. I'm sure the reason is so we don't change something accidentally, but I'd rather have the light touch and it feel more responsive.

To everyone reading along with us.

This is the key. While Kevin and I have harped on the SQ6 a bit we still think it is a great board for lots of people!

Church or band that needs personal mixers & 40+ch's ? SQ6 is probably a better fit.
Church or band that needs less than 40...? M32 might be the ticket.

A lot of people who have read some of my post know that I use the M32 to do musical theater. Lately I have been using 2 of them at the same time, it gives me a lot more inputs and outputs. I use a program to control them called Palladium. It can control 3 mixers (they don’t all have to be the same brand or model) at the same time. I couldn’t do what I do with the M32s without Palladium. I was hoping that I could write the Midi Mixer file for the SQ6 for Palladium, opening up another choice for Musical Theater. And if I could have gotten the Midi over Ethernet working on the SQ6 (no Midi is enabled yet) it would have made doing a Palladium mixer file on the dLive I have access to easier.   
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 22, 2018, 06:29:26 PM
A lot of people who have read some of my post know that I use the M32 to do musical theater. Lately I have been using 2 of them at the same time, it gives me a lot more inputs and outputs. I use a program to control them called Palladium. It can control 3 mixers (they don’t all have to be the same brand or model) at the same time. I couldn’t do what I do with the M32s without Palladium. I was hoping that I could write the Midi Mixer file for the SQ6 for Palladium, opening up another choice for Musical Theater. And if I could have gotten the Midi over Ethernet working on the SQ6 (no Midi is enabled yet) it would have made doing a Palladium mixer file on the dLive I have access to easier.   

Wow, now that is cool! I had no idea that existed; holy crap thats cool! :)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeremy Young on February 22, 2018, 07:53:28 PM

My vote for GLD replacement is an SQ7.  Processing in the surface instead of in the stage rack.  Larger surface with a few more knobs. 

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk


Maybe I'm misunderstanding your statement (totally possible since you're referring to a product that doesn't exist) but for the sake of clarity, neither the GLD nor the SQ series do processing in the mix rack. 


You're thinking of iLive and DLive products, in the A&H world anyway, where the DSP is in the mixrack and the surface is just an (optional) controller with local I/O.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeremy Young on February 22, 2018, 08:05:41 PM
This should never, ever happen because your speakers should be off whenever you turn your mixer on or off.  Speakers should be the first device off and the last device on.  Always!

I'll play devil's advocate here. (In my best Pacino impression, of course)

Accidents can happen during combat audio and sometimes a mixer can go down mid-show for whatever reason.  Certainly makes an argument for running your digital mixer on a UPS, but that's my best explanation as to why that feature may be useful. 

As to why it's not in the SQ?  Two words: Price Point.  TJ already beat me to that punch. 

My iLive has relays on it's outputs so this doesn't happen.  The iLive was also roughly 10x the price point of the SQ when launched, give or take based on WHICH iLive we're talking about.

Here's a scenario:
Let's say an LD was trying to plug his phone charger into the convenience outlet of your rack mounted power strip, and just happens to hit the power switch located right next to it, which happens to turn off your monitor mixer mid-performance.  Let's say all your wedges are powered and processed in the box, therefore you have no DSP or amps at the side of the stage to "mute" those mixes without running out on stage (not cool most of the time). 

Not only will the lack of monitor output be unacceptable and frustrating to your clients, the popping sound when the mixer powers back up will be the icing on the cake.

Ask me how I know. Watch for flying drum sticks!
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Tim McCulloch on February 22, 2018, 08:19:32 PM
I'll play devil's advocate here. (In my best Pacino impression, of course)

Accidents can happen during combat audio and sometimes a mixer can go down mid-show for whatever reason.  Certainly makes an argument for running your digital mixer on a UPS, but that's my best explanation as to why that feature may be useful. 

As to why it's not in the SQ?  Two words: Price Point.  TJ already beat me to that punch. 

My iLive has relays on it's outputs so this doesn't happen.  The iLive was also roughly 10x the price point of the SQ when launched, give or take based on WHICH iLive we're talking about.

Here's a scenario:
Let's say an LD was trying to plug his phone charger into the convenience outlet of your rack mounted power strip, and just happens to hit the power switch located right next to it, which happens to turn off your monitor mixer mid-performance.  Let's say all your wedges are powered and processed in the box, therefore you have no DSP or amps at the side of the stage to "mute" those mixes without running out on stage (not cool most of the time). 

Not only will the lack of monitor output be unacceptable and frustrating to your clients, the popping sound when the mixer powers back up will be the icing on the cake.

Ask me how I know. Watch for flying drum sticks!

Dude, why did you let the Squint within 5 meters of your rack?  He's got his own damn electricity. ::)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeremy Young on February 22, 2018, 08:22:46 PM
You're right, that makes complete sense.

I was used to QU where those were combined into the single control, the trim functionality wasn't broken up. I still don't see why it should be broken up.

What I don't get is why the need to decrease level, it is either at 0dBFS or it isn't. I can see adding gain though.

---

What I've always thought digital trim was to keep the input preamp 'hot' for sends, direct outs, & other prefader outputs and then pad down the level to the fader (so the fader is closer to zero) for finer control.

https://www.prosoundweb.com/channels/church/church_sound_2-5_ways_to_set_up_input_gain1/ (https://www.prosoundweb.com/channels/church/church_sound_2-5_ways_to_set_up_input_gain1/)


Hey Nathan, thanks for all your posts on this thread! 


For what it's worth, I know this has already been addressed nearly to death (trim versus preamp etc, so I'll provide a non-digital split story), but when I used to run a Mackie DL1608 mixer (preamps are the only non-remote controlled part of that otherwise all-remote mixer) they added a "trim" function in the app, after the preamp.  The first time I used it, was at a small duo gig in a highly reverberant hall where the DL1608 was at the side of the stage, and I was setting up monitor mixes with the iPad. 


I had run out of gain on one of my mix faders to satisfy the "more me" demand so I figured I'd save myself a trip to the mixer and just boost the channel trim so I could get more outputs on the mix without adjusting the preamp.  There was an extremely noticeable affect on SNR, like, unacceptably so.  IIRC it was like a 10dB boost, so I'm sure it's an extreme condition, but it happened nonetheless.  My original preamp setting was obviously too low, the rig wasn't mine, just the mixer, and the wedge sensitivities were much lower than I was accustomed to. 


Anyway, just an experience I thought I'd share.  Returning the trim to 0 position and increasing the preamp (analog, pre-DSP preamp) gain helped bring that noise back under control.  Turns out I should have just made the walk.  YMMV and all that.


Since that, I've never used trim for any other purpose than adjusting the level of a non-preamp derived input signal, but I think it's handy "to have and not need" than the other way around, especially today when we can have giant networked systems like never before and you may have a lot of non-preamp inputs on a relatively small system (dante enabled wireless mics for example, or a virtual sound check). 
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 22, 2018, 08:24:59 PM
I'll play devil's advocate here. (In my best Pacino impression, of course)

Accidents can happen during combat audio and sometimes a mixer can go down mid-show for whatever reason.  Certainly makes an argument for running your digital mixer on a UPS, but that's my best explanation as to why that feature may be useful. 

As to why it's not in the SQ?  Two words: Price Point.  TJ already beat me to that punch. 

My iLive has relays on it's outputs so this doesn't happen.  The iLive was also roughly 10x the price point of the SQ when launched, give or take based on WHICH iLive we're talking about.

Here's a scenario:
Let's say an LD was trying to plug his phone charger into the convenience outlet of your rack mounted power strip, and just happens to hit the power switch located right next to it, which happens to turn off your monitor mixer mid-performance.  Let's say all your wedges are powered and processed in the box, therefore you have no DSP or amps at the side of the stage to "mute" those mixes without running out on stage (not cool most of the time). 

Not only will the lack of monitor output be unacceptable and frustrating to your clients, the popping sound when the mixer powers back up will be the icing on the cake.

Ask me how I know. Watch for flying drum sticks!

This is an excellent expounding upon my original scenario.

As per price point? The cheap digital snake boxes for the qu have that feature.

There is no world in which 50$ in components doesn't make sense to put that feature in.

X32 paved the way for better products cheaper. SQ is an impressive board. But it's not quite the X32 killer we all wanted.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeremy Young on February 22, 2018, 08:28:15 PM
Dude, why did you let the Squint within 5 meters of your rack?  He's got his own damn electricity. ::)


hahaha!  "It's just a phone charger" he says....


Don't worry, he was suitably hazed for his actions.  As I do the math in my head, that was over 8 years ago now.  I hope he's learned from his actions, wherever he is today.  I wish I still had pictures of the distro on that stage.  It would make your heart hurt.  Gotta love small-community fairs with "donated" labour from retired "electricians". 


Sorry I'm swerving hard here.  Nathan can you post something to get us back on track? :)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 22, 2018, 08:35:29 PM

Hey Nathan, thanks for all your posts on this thread! 


For what it's worth, I know this has already been addressed nearly to death (trim versus preamp etc, so I'll provide a non-digital split story), but when I used to run a Mackie DL1608 mixer (preamps are the only non-remote controlled part of that otherwise all-remote mixer) they added a "trim" function in the app, after the preamp.  The first time I used it, was at a small duo gig in a highly reverberant hall where the DL1608 was at the side of the stage, and I was setting up monitor mixes with the iPad. 


I had run out of gain on one of my mix faders to satisfy the "more me" demand so I figured I'd save myself a trip to the mixer and just boost the channel trim so I could get more outputs on the mix without adjusting the preamp.  There was an extremely noticeable affect on SNR, like, unacceptably so.  IIRC it was like a 10dB boost, so I'm sure it's an extreme condition, but it happened nonetheless.  My original preamp setting was obviously too low, the rig wasn't mine, just the mixer, and the wedge sensitivities were much lower than I was accustomed to. 


Anyway, just an experience I thought I'd share.  Returning the trim to 0 position and increasing the preamp (analog, pre-DSP preamp) gain helped bring that noise back under control.  Turns out I should have just made the walk.  YMMV and all that.


Since that, I've never used trim for any other purpose than adjusting the level of a non-preamp derived input signal, but I think it's handy "to have and not need" than the other way around, especially today when we can have giant networked systems like never before and you may have a lot of non-preamp inputs on a relatively small system (dante enabled wireless mics for example, or a virtual sound check).

Hmm that's really interesting and weird. Digital trim shouldn't affect the snRatio at all. Being as it is digital it just boosts all of the level. Noise and signal should still have the same ratio.

As per the reason why a console goes down at FOH?

Besides the silly LD jokes  ;D

I can easily imagine a power strip downline of the UPS (which is obviously on the board & FOH gear) getting tripped, bumped, moved or the IEC going into the board, etc.

Just miffed and annoyed that my sound system WILL be subjected to a gigantic boom/pop at some point in it's life. I'm also probably going to be buying the band new in-ears because it's going to blow a driver or two.

Yeah I'm being melodramatic.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeremy Young on February 22, 2018, 08:39:55 PM
This is an excellent expounding upon my original scenario.

As per price point? The cheap digital snake boxes for the qu have that feature.

There is no world in which 50$ in components doesn't make sense to put that feature in.

X32 paved the way for better products cheaper. SQ is an impressive board. But it's not quite the X32 killer we all wanted.


I hear what you're saying, and I'm admittedly not at all familiar with the QU series products.  Good to know.  Too bad that's not something you can update with firmware eh?


However.....(Pacino's back baby!) $50 over xxx,xxx products is a lot of margin for a company, and somewhere they have to draw a line on the spending.  There may also be a space issue involved since both the iLive mixrack and the QU mixracks are just that, mixracks, and the SQ also needs to house faders, touchscreens, etc.


I'm right there with you, If I worked for A&H and was involved in this product line, I would have been vouching to keep the relays, and to have a Dante sample rate converter like the DLive so it can be used with iLive and GLD products (and any other 48khz mixer on Dante) but hey we all have different priorities. 


I recently watched a documentary on the new Ford Mustang (2015's "A Faster Horse") where they discuss having to sign off on minor changes to things that cost pennies per car, and they make a point of running the numbers over the number of units sold.  Having no experience in product development, it was an eye opening moment for me.  I'll save you 90 minutes and spoil it: It adds up quick!
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeremy Young on February 22, 2018, 08:42:40 PM
Hmm that's really interesting and weird. Digital trim shouldn't affect the snRatio at all. Being as it is digital it just boosts all of the level. Noise and signal should still have the same ratio.



My take is, the noise was already there but the level was too low to notice.  The preamp being analog, wasn't giving the ADC enough resolution to get all those ones and zeros, so when digitally boosted, it had a lot of low-level noise along with it.  Then again, budget mixer, bad gain staging, I could be connecting the invisible dots.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 22, 2018, 09:17:38 PM

My take is, the noise was already there but the level was too low to notice.  The preamp being analog, wasn't giving the ADC enough resolution to get all those ones and zeros, so when digitally boosted, it had a lot of low-level noise along with it.  Then again, budget mixer, bad gain staging, I could be connecting the invisible dots.

Methinks you're 'close' but I'm going to go a bit deeper and say I think it was: quantization noise/error giving a poor Signal-to-Quantization-Noise Ratio (SQNR) and thus when you boosted the digital side of things heard that error.

But I really have no idea. haha :)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 22, 2018, 09:22:25 PM
I'm right there with you, If I worked for A&H and was involved in this product line, I would have been vouching to keep the relays, and to have a Dante sample rate converter like the DLive so it can be used with iLive and GLD products (and any other 48khz mixer on Dante) but hey we all have different priorities. 

The Dante card will do this. I'm assuming you mean onboard?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeremy Young on February 22, 2018, 10:10:46 PM
To my limited understanding of Dante networks, the SQ is 96khz only, and the iLive/GLD products are 48khz only, and therefore they can exist on the same Dante network but cannot send any audio back and fourth. 

The DLive product series has a networking card adapter (http://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/adapter/) that allows a 48khz Dante card (or MADI, etc) to be installed in the 96khz DLive system which converts the sample rate, therefore allowing use of a GLD80 as a Monitor Mixer on a digital split for a DLive at FOH (for example).

Following along, to the best of my knowledge, this isn't an option on the SQ series.

I'd love to be wrong on this, but that's what I understand to be the case at the moment.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 22, 2018, 10:37:44 PM
To my limited understanding of Dante networks, the SQ is 96khz only, and the iLive/GLD products are 48khz only, and therefore they can exist on the same Dante network but cannot send any audio back and fourth. 

The DLive product series has a networking card adapter (http://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/adapter/) that allows a 48khz Dante card (or MADI, etc) to be installed in the 96khz DLive system which converts the sample rate, therefore allowing use of a GLD80 as a Monitor Mixer on a digital split for a DLive at FOH (for example).

Following along, to the best of my knowledge, this isn't an option on the SQ series.

I'd love to be wrong on this, but that's what I understand to be the case at the moment.

I believe the Dante & Waves sound-grid cards will be 96kHz and 48kHz switchable. At the very least they will run at 48kHz (does dante even do 96kHz?)

The SQ internally always runs @ 96kHz, but the dSnake & IO card will have to accept 48kHz inputs so it upconverts.

http://community.allen-heath.com/forums/topic/sq-me1-500-connectivity/#post-69092

http://community.allen-heath.com/forums/topic/sq-to-qu-connections/#post-68898

http://community.allen-heath.com/forums/topic/external-clocking

At least this is my current understanding.
Title: Re: Dante sample rates
Post by: Mac Kerr on February 22, 2018, 10:50:34 PM
I believe the Dante & Waves sound-grid cards will be 96kHz and 48kHz switchable. At the very least they will run at 48kHz (does dante even do 96kHz?)

Dante as a network transport protocol is sample rate agnostic. It can support the common rates from 48kHz to 192kHz, even multiple rates on the network simultaneously. Dante devices may or may not support multiple sample rates, and any device at a given sample rate can not communicate with another device at a different sample rate without SRC.

Mac
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Caleb Dueck on February 22, 2018, 11:15:27 PM

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your statement (totally possible since you're referring to a product that doesn't exist) but for the sake of clarity, neither the GLD nor the SQ series do processing in the mix rack. 


You're thinking of iLive and DLive products, in the A&H world anyway, where the DSP is in the mixrack and the surface is just an (optional) controller with local I/O.
In talking with the new A&H sales manager recently, I mentioned how there is still a gap between the small dLive and the SQ6.  It's the gap that the GLD still occupies, for an unknown future time frame.   

Since the iLive morphed into the dLive (processing in the stage rack) and Qu morphed into SQ (processing in the surface), the only one left is the GLD.  I don't think it makes sense for a potential "super-GLD" to be it's own family, but to also have a slightly stripped down dLive core.  Like the GLD, processing in the surface.  The easiest way to get there is a larger SQ surface with a few more faders (32), few more dedicated knobs, and slightly increased channel count (64).  Priced around $5-6k or wherever the M32 is priced currently.

I don't have any inside knowledge this time, this is just educated guessing. 

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on February 23, 2018, 02:53:03 AM
Dude, why did you let the Squint within 5 meters of your rack?  He's got his own damn electricity. ::)
Well, there's always a volunteer multimedia person just 1 meter beside the mixer and racks here (and yes, they have kicked our ups down before). I think relay is to be expected on most mixer nowadays tho it is more of annoying than critical problem

In talking with the new A&H sales manager recently, I mentioned how there is still a gap between the small dLive and the SQ6.  It's the gap that the GLD still occupies, for an unknown future time frame.   

Since the iLive morphed into the dLive (processing in the stage rack) and Qu morphed into SQ (processing in the surface), the only one left is the GLD.  I don't think it makes sense for a potential "super-GLD" to be it's own family, but to also have a slightly stripped down dLive core.  Like the GLD, processing in the surface.  The easiest way to get there is a larger SQ surface with a few more faders (32), few more dedicated knobs, and slightly increased channel count (64).  Priced around $5-6k or wherever the M32 is priced currently.

I don't have any inside knowledge this time, this is just educated guessing. 

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk


Yes, we need update for GLD, especially the latest software update slow down the boot procedure to around 1-2min. I think another thing that's missing from GLD in SQ is Desktop Software.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on February 23, 2018, 08:39:22 AM
Yes, we need update for GLD, especially the latest software update slow down the boot procedure to around 1-2min. I think another thing that's missing from GLD in SQ is Desktop Software.
Long bootup time on the GLD is almost always due to the network adapter being set to DHCP.  Set it to a static IP address and you won't have this problem anymore.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on February 23, 2018, 09:21:18 AM
Long bootup time on the GLD is almost always due to the network adapter being set to DHCP.  Set it to a static IP address and you won't have this problem anymore.
Well, we have set it up with static IP actually, the slow bootup actually quite strange as the screen blink 3-4 times first then it boots.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Art Nadelman on February 23, 2018, 11:18:17 AM
Well, we have set it up with static IP actually, the slow bootup actually quite strange as the screen blink 3-4 times first then it boots.

I would contact tech support to make sure nothing is wrong with it. Mine boots in a few seconds.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 23, 2018, 12:08:44 PM
This talk of boot times. The SQ boots quite fast. Less than 10s for sure.

I'll have to measure it sometime.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeremy Young on February 23, 2018, 01:03:23 PM
My iLive's take what feels like years to boot up the surface, but that's "normal" for them, about 2 minutes in reality.  The iLive MixRack is quicker, I think it passes audio in under 15 seconds.  I'm glad the newer stuff is quicker.
Title: Re: Dante sample rates
Post by: Jeremy Young on February 23, 2018, 01:08:00 PM
Dante as a network transport protocol is sample rate agnostic. It can support the common rates from 48kHz to 192kHz, even multiple rates on the network simultaneously. Dante devices may or may not support multiple sample rates, and any device at a given sample rate can not communicate with another device at a different sample rate without SRC.

Mac


Thank you for the clarification Mac.  I clearly have some Dante learning to do.  Sounds like sample rate conversion at the mixer (or DSP, etc) is the feature I'm looking for. 


We all have different boxes that need to be checked.  One day soon hopefully the market will have enough options there will be a mixer for everyone's specific needs.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on February 23, 2018, 08:22:28 PM
In talking with the new A&H sales manager recently, I mentioned how there is still a gap between the small dLive and the SQ6.  It's the gap that the GLD still occupies, for an unknown future time frame.   

Since the iLive morphed into the dLive (processing in the stage rack) and Qu morphed into SQ (processing in the surface), the only one left is the GLD.  I don't think it makes sense for a potential "super-GLD" to be it's own family, but to also have a slightly stripped down dLive core.  Like the GLD, processing in the surface.  The easiest way to get there is a larger SQ surface with a few more faders (32), few more dedicated knobs, and slightly increased channel count (64).  Priced around $5-6k or wherever the M32 is priced currently.

I don't have any inside knowledge this time, this is just educated guessing. 

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

On Facebook I would press the like button  ;)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on February 25, 2018, 02:25:12 AM
I would contact tech support to make sure nothing is wrong with it. Mine boots in a few seconds.
Well that's ok actually, as long as there is no electric shutdown in the middle of service everything should be fine. The vibrating faders is annoying especially on ganged channels tho. Boot time of QU is quite fast, so I kinda expect SQ is fast too (both seems to have similar hardware arch with arms based processor for OS).
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Art Nadelman on February 25, 2018, 07:08:05 AM
The vibrating faders is annoying especially on ganged channels tho.

????  Ganged channels hasn't yet been implanted on the SQ's.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 25, 2018, 09:06:58 AM
????  Ganged channels hasn't yet been implanted on the SQ's.

Andrien is using a GLD.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Art Nadelman on February 25, 2018, 09:58:05 AM
Andrien is using a GLD.

Well, in that case, Andrien, are you touching 1 fader of the gang or multiple?  I never had that problem on a GLD if I touched only one.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on February 25, 2018, 09:54:40 PM
Well, in that case, Andrien, are you touching 1 fader of the gang or multiple?  I never had that problem on a GLD if I touched only one.
Basically the fader is jittering the value in the system, and when you gang them it will move one or another fader level as the value of the fader keep changing. Have plans for repair (the support says need to replace whole fader assembly for about 900usd converted price).
I think someone did a post on AH forums and in the end they just replaced the fader assembly.

Lets just forget about GLD and back to SQ again, can't wait for the Desktop editor to come so at least I can explore the SQ's interface and features.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on February 26, 2018, 08:55:38 AM
Basically the fader is jittering the value in the system, and when you gang them it will move one or another fader level as the value of the fader keep changing. Have plans for repair (the support says need to replace whole fader assembly for about 900usd converted price).


You can actually just replace one fader - they are about $35 each.  If they are all getting a bit old it is however worth while replacing the whole board/assembly.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on February 26, 2018, 09:11:25 AM
You can actually just replace one fader - they are about $35 each.  If they are all get a bit old it is however worth while replacing the whole board/assembly.
Replacing it is actually beyond my skill and it is not per fader, but the whole faders actually.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Kevin Maxwell on February 26, 2018, 10:00:49 AM
Basically the fader is jittering the value in the system, and when you gang them it will move one or another fader level as the value of the fader keep changing. Have plans for repair (the support says need to replace whole fader assembly for about 900usd converted price).
I think someone did a post on AH forums and in the end they just replaced the fader assembly.

Lets just forget about GLD and back to SQ again, can't wait for the Desktop editor to come so at least I can explore the SQ's interface and features.

Have you tried another GLD to see if it behaves the same way? As Art is basically saying if you touch more than one you will get that jittering. And I have never touched a GLD I am speaking about all of the other Digital consoles I have ever dealt with. If you have faders linked on any of them and you touch more than one of the faders it feels bad, like it is fighting you. This is just the way they all work.

This might not be the problem you are experience but if I was you I wouldn’t be so quick to change out the faders, do some more testing. One test if it is possible is gang some faders together with only one of them on one layer. And then just move that one and see what it does. This may be the nature of the beast or it may even be just the way the firmware handles it. Does it get worse with the more faders you gang together? I assume that you aren’t talking about just linking a stereo pair. Is it only a certain combination of faders linked together that cause the problem?

Regarding the desktop editor, I think it is a great way to figure out the capabilities of the Mixer. But it doesn’t tell you what it is like to actually try and work with the surface/the user interface. Where are all of the knobs and buttons on the mixer and how quickly can you get to what you need to get to and adjust it.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on February 26, 2018, 09:17:13 PM
Have you tried another GLD to see if it behaves the same way? As Art is basically saying if you touch more than one you will get that jittering. And I have never touched a GLD I am speaking about all of the other Digital consoles I have ever dealt with. If you have faders linked on any of them and you touch more than one of the faders it feels bad, like it is fighting you. This is just the way they all work.

This might not be the problem you are experience but if I was you I wouldn’t be so quick to change out the faders, do some more testing. One test if it is possible is gang some faders together with only one of them on one layer. And then just move that one and see what it does. This may be the nature of the beast or it may even be just the way the firmware handles it. Does it get worse with the more faders you gang together? I assume that you aren’t talking about just linking a stereo pair. Is it only a certain combination of faders linked together that cause the problem?

Regarding the desktop editor, I think it is a great way to figure out the capabilities of the Mixer. But it doesn’t tell you what it is like to actually try and work with the surface/the user interface. Where are all of the knobs and buttons on the mixer and how quickly can you get to what you need to get to and adjust it.
Pretty sure it is the fader, it doesn't happen previously. It actually just occur for the past 4 months I think.

Of course desktop editor won't tell how I gonna work with the surface, but I also do quite a lot of mixing on the desktop more than on the desk itself (technically on laptops tho). It is nice to mix using a pen and a Win Tablet especially if the desktop apps is optimized for touchscreen too.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on March 12, 2018, 11:06:17 AM
New version 1.2 software released!

http://www.allen-heath.com/key-series/sq/sq-software/

Quote
Additional Features:
D-Classic Automatic Mic Mixing added.
Support for DX-Hub.
‘Chorus’ and ‘Noo Phaser’ FX units added.
Assignable Channel Colours.
Factory Processing Libraries added.
Input to PAFL source point selection added.

Looks like the deep plugin store is in development too.
https://shop.allen-heath.com/
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Bernstein on May 02, 2018, 03:42:46 PM
http://www.allen-heath.com/key-series/sq/

SQ-6 Features

96kHz FPGA processing
48 Input Channels
DEEP Processing ready
25 Faders / 6 Layers
12 Stereo mixes + LR
3 Stereo Matrix
8 Stereo FX Engines + dedicated returns
7” capacitive touchscreen
SLink port for remote audio / expansion
64ch I/O Port for audio networking
32×32 USB audio interface
SQ-Drive direct recording to USB
AES output
Chromatic channel metering
Integrated LED illumination
Dedicated physical controls
16 Assignable SoftKeys
4 Assignable Soft Rotaries
Channel LCD displays

Spent some time with the SQ-6 today. Being a Qu-16/Qu-SB/GLD80 user I wasn't sure if the SQ would be a major upgrade from what I already have.
It sure looks like it is.
Can I tell the difference between 48KHz and 96KHz? No. But the functionality of the console is pretty impressive for $3500.
One feature I love is the ability to convert stereo aux sends to 2 mono sends. And scribble strips are almost a necessity now (have them the GLD but not the Qu).
The issue for me is I don't get to mix on a board with real faders more than a few times a year so justification will be tough!
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on May 02, 2018, 06:53:41 PM
Spent some time with the SQ-6 today. Being a Qu-16/Qu-SB/GLD80 user I wasn't sure if the SQ would be a major upgrade from what I already have.
It sure looks like it is.
Can I tell the difference between 48KHz and 96KHz? No. But the functionality of the console is pretty impressive for $3500.
One feature I love is the ability to convert stereo aux sends to 2 mono sends. And scribble strips are almost a necessity now (have them the GLD but not the Qu).
The issue for me is I don't get to mix on a board with real faders more than a few times a year so justification will be tough!

I have an SQ-5. I like it so far though it is still missing some important features. The basics are there so I hope they will fill in the missing stuff soonish.

Have sidechain but no ducker
Have matrices but only stereo.
Inputs, groups and auxes can be mono or stereo.
You can adjust the balance of how many auxes vs groups.
No on board show files. Not a big deal if you just leave a USB stick plugged in..
No off line editor- I use the GLD editor extensively.

Oh, and it sounds good.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Michael Lascuola on May 02, 2018, 10:41:50 PM
That's a great point about having an editor, I hadn't thought about that while considering an SQ.

Editing offline saves me quite a bit of time on show day when I have a good stage plot and accurate requirements (it does happen!  :D )
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Corey Scogin on May 03, 2018, 12:55:50 AM
Any ideas if A&H has plans to fill out the SQ Mixpad app?
It's pretty bare-bones at the moment. I know it's not everyone's preferred workflow but I've gotten quite fond of not being tethered to a console. The Qu app took a big leap forward when they added full functionality.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on May 03, 2018, 12:33:06 PM
I have an SQ-5. I like it so far though it is still missing some important features. The basics are there so I hope they will fill in the missing stuff soonish.

Any ideas if A&H has plans to fill out the SQ Mixpad app?
It's pretty bare-bones at the moment. I know it's not everyone's preferred workflow but I've gotten quite fond of not being tethered to a console. The Qu app took a big leap forward when they added full functionality.

I'm quite active over in the A&H forums.

My best guess is late Q3 of 2018 (I expect Oct/Nov). They are poised to release a "major update" that has a ton of new functionality.

Fairly annoying it is taking a year since announcement/first shipment to get the full amount of capabilities originally stated, but it is what it is *shrug.*

Doesn't bother me and my uses. But it does bother all my potential clients...
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on May 03, 2018, 12:34:32 PM
One feature I love is the ability to convert stereo aux sends to 2 mono sends.

This isn't possible. You have 12 aux sends (or groups) regardless of configuration (mono/stereo).
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on May 03, 2018, 11:42:11 PM
I'm quite active over in the A&H forums.

My best guess is late Q3 of 2018 (I expect Oct/Nov). They are poised to release a "major update" that has a ton of new functionality.

Fairly annoying it is taking a year since announcement/first shipment to get the full amount of capabilities originally stated, but it is what it is *shrug.*

Doesn't bother me and my uses. But it does bother all my potential clients...

Who are you in the A&H forums? I am Lynx0849.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on May 04, 2018, 02:46:49 AM
Who are you in the A&H forums? I am Lynx0849.

I am: lightingman117

Wasn't sure about real name or not. But most other forums are my lightingman117 username so I went for consistently and a tiny bit of privacy ;)

I figured you were the Rob-Spence guy?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on May 04, 2018, 11:42:06 AM
I am: lightingman117

Wasn't sure about real name or not. But most other forums are my lightingman117 username so I went for consistently and a tiny bit of privacy ;)

I figured you were the Rob-Spence guy?

Yup.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on June 06, 2018, 06:56:24 AM
New SQ-7 Coming Out
https://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/sq-7/
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: LeVan Moxley on June 10, 2018, 05:00:31 PM
Sweetwater is showing a price of $4999 for the SQ7.  They have also dropped the price of a GLD80 to the same $4999 and a GLD112 to $5999. Interesting...

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SQ7--allen-and-heath-sq7-33-fader-32-preamp-digital-mixer
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: jim whitmer on June 11, 2018, 12:33:46 PM
I don't get to mix on a board with real faders more than a few times a year so justification will be tough!

This up there! As a more entry level (qu series replacement), why are they coming out with a physically larger desk instead of a SQ Pac?!?!

If I need a larger desk, I'll stick with the GLD or perhaps move into the Dlive C, The SQ series really needs a rack mount version for the bar/wedding/corp gigs. The price point is there, but not the form factor IMO.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Art Nadelman on June 11, 2018, 02:07:48 PM
This up there! As a more entry level (qu series replacement), why are they coming out with a physically larger desk instead of a SQ Pac?!?!

I personally think this is more aimed at the church volunteer crowd, much like the Qu-32 was.  Everything is in front of you for most churches what would buy this.  Easier for volunteers to run.

Art
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: LeVan Moxley on June 11, 2018, 02:48:14 PM
I personally think this is more aimed at the church volunteer crowd, much like the Qu-32 was.  Everything is in front of you for most churches what would buy this.  Easier for volunteers to run.

Art

Yep!  Winner, winner,chicken dinner.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on June 11, 2018, 03:30:46 PM
This up there! As a more entry level (qu series replacement), why are they coming out with a physically larger desk instead of a SQ Pac?!?!

If I need a larger desk, I'll stick with the GLD or perhaps move into the Dlive C, The SQ series really needs a rack mount version for the bar/wedding/corp gigs. The price point is there, but not the form factor IMO.

The design and manufacturing start up process is easy going from a 24ch desk to a 32ch one. Also, I suspect it can be built on the same assembly line as the 16 & 24 models. Likely took less time than the rack mount.

My guess is that there will be a SQpac this winter if not sooner.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Lyle Williams on June 11, 2018, 05:26:34 PM
I don't think I can see the compelling case for a SQpac.

QUpac works with the ecosystem (stage boxes) and if someone wants to dive deep into SQ features they may not be so happy with only the ipad interface.

The SQ feature set still sounds immature; do A&H want to put their time into getting a new chassis out or making their existing ones work the way customers expected? 

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: jim whitmer on June 11, 2018, 07:10:38 PM
Some valid points!

A lot of us around here still need a rack with scribble strips and some routing options though. QUpac falls short with this, fx, and a few other things when compared to say the gld series.

So my hope lies with the sqpac!
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: John Halliburton on June 12, 2018, 07:50:41 AM
Some valid points!

A lot of us around here still need a rack with scribble strips and some routing options though. QUpac falls short with this, fx, and a few other things when compared to say the gld series.

So my hope lies with the sqpac!

Perhaps they'll do a hybrid, a 96khz QuPac.  Since the "Pac" form factor can't take advantage of all the SQ feature set, maybe they'll take the heart of the SQ, the 96khz DSP engines, and put it into a QuPac chassis.  I have to think there is not much point keeping the slower engines around, and SQ will eventually replace the QU series anyway.

Best regards,

John
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on June 12, 2018, 05:27:37 PM
I don't think I can see the compelling case for a SQpac.

QUpac works with the ecosystem (stage boxes) and if someone wants to dive deep into SQ features they may not be so happy with only the ipad interface.

The SQ feature set still sounds immature; do A&H want to put their time into getting a new chassis out or making their existing ones work the way customers expected?

There are a variety of non interchangeable skills required to build a product. The software folk work on all. Mechanical works on next package. It isn’t an either or.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeremy Young on June 12, 2018, 07:28:53 PM
Some valid points!

A lot of us around here still need a rack with scribble strips and some routing options though. QUpac falls short with this, fx, and a few other things when compared to say the gld series.

So my hope lies with the sqpac!


I have to ask, why do you need scribble strips on a rack mixer?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: jim whitmer on June 13, 2018, 02:36:12 PM
When I've got 16 - 24 inputs, scrolling across a banks of 8 on an Ipad to mix is tough when all you have is channel number at the top of the fader. MUCH easier when you can name them.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Alec Spence on June 13, 2018, 02:55:11 PM
When I've got 16 - 24 inputs, scrolling across a banks of 8 on an Ipad to mix is tough when all you have is channel number at the top of the fader. MUCH easier when you can name them.
Oh dear - are you really saying that you don't realise you can name the channels in the iPad app?

https://www.allen-heath.com/media/Qu-Pad-v1.9-Help-Guide.pdf (https://www.allen-heath.com/media/Qu-Pad-v1.9-Help-Guide.pdf)
"Names can be edited at the mixer or using Qu-Pad. Touch the Name box to open the iPad keyboard. Double tap
Shift  for  caps  lock.  Touch the ‘x’ to clear an existing name.  You  can  enter  a name with up to 6 characters. Names appear above the faders"
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeremy Young on June 13, 2018, 05:34:00 PM
Scribble strips are the screens above the physical faders on the desk.  Most current digital mixers allow you to change the name and colour of these to help your workflow.

There are no physical faders on a rackmount mixer like the QU-pac, QU-SB, TF-rack, X32-rack, DL32R, and all the other ones the market offers today.


Not to be confused however with a rackmount-able mixer with faders, like the QU-16 which in fact lacks scribble strips.  Your comparison the GLD-series is what confuses me, because there is no rack-only option in the GLD series (the stageboxes cannot be used standalone in the way that the iLive and DLive series can because the DSP is in the surface not the stagebox).


Once upon a time in the dark ages of analog mixers it was a piece of tape and a sharpy, which is where the word "scribble" comes from (I assume but don't know for a fact).  Just don't use a sharpy on your scribble strip or you'll need to revert to board tape at the next gig!
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: jim whitmer on June 13, 2018, 06:55:44 PM
Oh dear - are you really saying that you don't realise you can name the channels in the iPad app?

https://www.allen-heath.com/media/Qu-Pad-v1.9-Help-Guide.pdf (https://www.allen-heath.com/media/Qu-Pad-v1.9-Help-Guide.pdf)
"Names can be edited at the mixer or using Qu-Pad. Touch the Name box to open the iPad keyboard. Double tap
Shift  for  caps  lock.  Touch the ‘x’ to clear an existing name.  You  can  enter  a name with up to 6 characters. Names appear above the faders"

Did not know that. Only saw one in use once and the person running obviously did not know that either as I asked how he kept track of channels!
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: jim whitmer on June 13, 2018, 07:02:30 PM
Scribble strips are the screens above the physical faders.  Your comparison the GLD-series is what confuses me, because there is no rack-only option in the GLD series (the stageboxes cannot be used standalone in the way that the iLive and DLive series can because the DSP is in the surface not the stagebox).

Lol, yeah, channel strip naming is what o was getting at. Who needs sleep?

I'm referring to wanting the features of the gld in a qupac type unit.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on June 14, 2018, 09:19:21 AM
Got SQ-6 at last, so far feels like a downgrade to GLD. The preamp sound quite nice, maybe a tad better than GLD but quite a lot of FX, Comp and many other library are missing. The non-limited PEQ is nice, can setup any band's frequency anywhere (unlike GLD where they limit each band frequency's range). Setup with DX168 is a breeze, they automatically assign channels if you connect the Stagebox on first setup. On SLink disconnection, there is something wrong with ip19, ip20, ip27 and ip28 where it just go full peak with weird noise and I'm not sure what cause it.
https://imgur.com/a/pOhyrLt

This week gotta use it for services, hopefully everything is gotta be ok.


Improvement that I hope will be included in the next firmware update:
1. Scribble strip showing values as we move fader/pots, especially on the soft encoder screen
2. Multiband compressor, if not possible on FX at least make it insert-able like dLive thru deep processing
3. Desktop editor, or at least allow routing setup on iPad for now.
4. Dynamic UI, like when you press HF/LF on PEQ encoder, the screen move to PEQ screen. Being pampered by GLD ;D
5. Better routing UI, if possible allow multi select on continuous input.

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrea Litti on June 16, 2018, 04:55:08 AM
(...)unlike GLD where they limit each band frequency's range (...)

GLD actually lets you choose to have limited or full freq range for all PEQ bands from the options sub-menu


Improvement that I hope will be included in the next firmware update:
1. Scribble strip showing values as we move fader/pots, especially on the soft encoder screen
2. Multiband compressor, if not possible on FX at least make it insert-able like dLive thru deep processing
3. Desktop editor, or at least allow routing setup on iPad for now.
4. Dynamic UI, like when you press HF/LF on PEQ encoder, the screen move to PEQ screen. Being pampered by GLD ;D
5. Better routing UI, if possible allow multi select on continuous input.

may I add:
- HPF option on mix outputs (main reason why I'm not selling my GLD and buying a SQ)

plus: does anyone know if GLD's "special FX" like rotary speaker emulator, space echo or pitch shifter are implemented on the SQ?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Art Nadelman on June 16, 2018, 08:32:18 AM

plus: does anyone know if GLD's "special FX" like rotary speaker emulator, space echo or pitch shifter are implemented on the SQ?

They are not...yet.

Art
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on June 17, 2018, 09:17:27 AM
GLD actually lets you choose to have limited or full freq range for all PEQ bands from the options sub-menu


plus: does anyone know if GLD's "special FX" like rotary speaker emulator, space echo or pitch shifter are implemented on the SQ?
Oh my God, I never checked that option, and just found it  ;D . Should have always read the damn manual.
Anyway, the FX is kinda limited right now and most speciality FX are missing from SQ
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on June 17, 2018, 02:23:15 PM
A&H has said in their forums that the next firmware release is due in Q3 which starts not long from now. I am looking forward to seeing what gets included.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrea Litti on June 17, 2018, 02:57:04 PM
A&H has said in their forums that the next firmware release is due in Q3 which starts not long from now. I am looking forward to seeing what gets included.

I know, but I wish A&H released it earlier, since for me (and many others I guess) it's hard to justify the purchase of a new desk right after the year's busiest season
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on June 17, 2018, 10:56:50 PM
I know, but I wish A&H released it earlier, since for me (and many others I guess) it's hard to justify the purchase of a new desk right after the year's busiest season

Well, Dyn8 doesn't appear on dLive until v1.4, Waves and other cards on v1.3 and the preamp emulation is on v1.2, so I guess it will be similar to SQ that most feature will be on later 1.4 version of the firmware. I think most of us kinda expect SQ to have part of dLive features while it is actually more similar to Qu-series feature and price wise (well except the remote apps, that still need improvement)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Lyle Williams on June 18, 2018, 03:48:41 AM
SQ and Qu pricing isn't close.  You have to factor in the I/O.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on June 18, 2018, 09:29:51 AM
SQ and Qu pricing isn't close.  You have to factor in the I/O.
Relative to the price range of the DLive series, the SQ is significantly closer to the Qu range.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Alec Spence on June 18, 2018, 09:38:54 AM
SQ and Qu pricing isn't close.  You have to factor in the I/O.
Only if you want extra I/O.

If you just go with the onboard I/O, both QU and SQ offer 16, 24 and 32 channel variants, all with full I/O count and 1 fader per channel.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Steve M Smith on June 18, 2018, 11:27:04 AM
I saw a couple of SQs when I did DLive training a couple of months ago.  Whilst I didn't actually mix anything on them, they did seem very impressive and would be at the top of the list if I was shopping for a mixer in that league.


Steve.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Lyle Williams on June 18, 2018, 02:45:54 PM
The Qu-32 (2700) price is very close to the SQ-5(2800).

But if you are happy with the 16 channels built into the SQ-5, then the Qu-16 price is $1550.

I'm not saying the Qu/SQ are interchangeable, just that the price points are very different and I don't expect SQ to make A&H drop the Qu line.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on June 18, 2018, 04:35:42 PM
SQ4YOU APP is out. IOS (not Cisco), Android.

Thanks Art

https://community.allen-heath.com/forums/topic/sq4you

Can't believe this isn't headline news and an email blast!?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Scott Holtzman on June 18, 2018, 05:21:35 PM
SQ4YOU APP is out. IOS (not Cisco), Android.

Thanks Art

https://community.allen-heath.com/forums/topic/sq4you

Can't believe this isn't headline news and an email blast!?

I can't run it on a router.....C'mon.

Code: [Select]
MKE1.DC2.E4.CORE1#show ver
Cisco IOS Software, Catalyst 4500 L3 Switch Software (cat4500-ENTSERVICESK9-M), Version 15.0(2)SG8, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2013 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Mon 02-Dec-13 17:11 by prod_rel_team
Image text-base: 0x10000000, data-base: 0x123ACE64

ROM: 12.2(31r)SG3
Pod Revision 14, Force Revision 31, Tie Revision 32

MKE1.DC2.E4.CORE1 uptime is 30 weeks, 6 days, 16 hours, 29 minutes
Uptime for this control processor is 30 weeks, 6 days, 16 hours, 30 minutes
System returned to ROM by power-on
System image file is "bootflash:cat4500-entservicesk9-mz.150-2.SG8.bin"

cisco WS-C4507R (MPC8540) processor (revision 11) with 524288K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID FOX074806UD
MPC8540 CPU at 800Mhz, Supervisor V-10GE
Last reset from PowerUp
12 Virtual Ethernet interfaces
80 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
4 Ten Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
511K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.

Configuration register is 0x2

MKE1.DC2.E4.CORE1#sq4you.bin
Translating "sq4you.bin"...domain server (8.8.8.8)
% Unknown command or computer name, or unable to find computer address
MKE1.DC2.E4.CORE1#

Wow you are right, doesn't run on Cisco IOS

Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on June 19, 2018, 12:55:54 AM
The Qu-32 (2700) price is very close to the SQ-5(2800).

But if you are happy with the 16 channels built into the SQ-5, then the Qu-16 price is $1550.

I'm not saying the Qu/SQ are interchangeable, just that the price points are very different and I don't expect SQ to make A&H drop the Qu line.

Nope, I don't mean that SQ and Qu are interchangeable in anyway, but more on the fact that you can't expect many of dLive features on SQ where it is generally position under GLD line. I do wish it is more inline with GLD at least, but you can't have 96khz and GLD features at that price I suppose (or maybe they will surprise us in v1.4)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: LeVan Moxley on July 22, 2018, 05:32:56 PM
Sweetwater is showing SQ7's in stock and available for immediate delivery.  Anyone know of availability anywhere else?

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SQ7--allen-and-heath-sq7-33-fader-32-preamp-digital-mixer?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=dynamic&&utm_content=prodview&utm_term=dnf-single
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrien (No Last Name) on August 13, 2018, 10:42:22 AM
New Dante Card with 32x32 96khz or 64x64 48khz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4pPx9jEvYQ
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Corey Scogin on August 13, 2018, 02:20:58 PM
New Dante Card with 32x32 96khz or 64x64 48khz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4pPx9jEvYQ

Is that a cooling fan mounted on top of the card?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: richard_cooper on August 13, 2018, 02:56:25 PM
Is that a cooling fan mounted on top of the card?

Yup (https://www.allen-heath.com/media/DANTE-3Quarter-Right_72.jpg)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Chip Smith on August 20, 2018, 06:57:42 PM
Sweetwater is showing SQ7's in stock and available for immediate delivery.  Anyone know of availability anywhere else?

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SQ7--allen-and-heath-sq7-33-fader-32-preamp-digital-mixer?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=dynamic&&utm_content=prodview&utm_term=dnf-single

According to my Sweetwater rep, Allen & Heath only shipped six SQ-7's to the US so far and Sweetwater got them all.   As of 7/30 Sweetwater had 3 left, and I got one of those, so at most they have two in stock.  The next shipment from the UK is due around mid-Sept. or early Oct. 
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on October 16, 2018, 05:21:37 PM
V1.3 is now released (as of 2018/10/09)

It includes DEEP plugins 5 compressors, 3 GEQ's


A&H Community topic: https://community.allen-heath.com/forums/topic/sq-firmware-v1-3
Software page: https://www.allen-heath.com/key-series/sq/sq-software/
Release notes: https://www.allen-heath.com/media/Release-Notes-SQ-V1.3.0.pdf
V1.3 Reference Guide (Manual): https://www.allen-heath.com/media/SQ_ReferenceGuide_V1_3_0.pdf
DEEP Processing: https://www.allen-heath.com/key-series/sq/sq-deep-processing/
Buy DEEP Plugins: https://shop.allen-heath.com/

NOTE: 64 bit architecture required for APPs now. Some devices might not work.
NOTE:
Deep Plugins are extra cost.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on October 16, 2018, 05:24:04 PM
Yay, ducking!

Note that the Deep Plugins are extra cost.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Kevin Maxwell on October 16, 2018, 06:19:15 PM
And on the A&H Forum a lot of people are not happy.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on October 16, 2018, 06:36:20 PM
And on the A&H Forum a lot of people are not happy.

I don't know why. They released everything they promised/hinted at for 1.3.

Everyone's mad they didn't do their own little 'feature' thing they wanted. I'm just happy the board is up to 95/98% of what the initial publications said it could do.

Between the user permissions, DEEP, & patching improvements there was a TON of code changes under the hood. I'm surprised it had as much as it did quite frankly.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on October 16, 2018, 06:58:16 PM
With ducking in, I am pretty happy.

I hope to update this week. The release came out while I was prepping for a gig and I don’t update anything in the week  prior. Been burned before.

Now all I want is the off line editor.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Kevin Maxwell on October 16, 2018, 07:03:08 PM
They said that Midi control would be enabled, it wasn't. There was something about no more 32bit os compatibility. I don't know exactly for what interface that would be. 
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on October 16, 2018, 07:04:11 PM
Now all I want is the off line editor.

Sadly, that is a long way off.

Keith did say that they are looking into having the SQ MixPad App have some offline capabilities? What that means, dunno.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on October 16, 2018, 07:04:48 PM
They said that Midi control would be enabled, it wasn't.

TCP/IP midi control isn't enabled.

USB Midi is.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeremy Young on October 16, 2018, 07:44:39 PM
Sadly, that is a long way off.

Keith did say that they are looking into having the SQ MixPad App have some offline capabilities? What that means, dunno.


That's how Mackie handles the DL-series stuff.  I've built entire shows on the app for my DL1608 and then when it connects to the mixer it asks if you want to upload the iPad show to the mixer and voila, you're live with all your settings.  Offline without a computer (just the app). I'm guessing that's what they meant, but I don't have any inside information.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Michael Lascuola on October 16, 2018, 08:03:02 PM

That's how Mackie handles the DL-series stuff.  I've built entire shows on the app for my DL1608 and then when it connects to the mixer it asks if you want to upload the iPad show to the mixer and voila, you're live with all your settings.  Offline without a computer (just the app).
And this is a big deal for me.  I love when I have a handful of stage plots for the weekend, and can do most of the planning at my leisure during the week.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: dave briar on October 16, 2018, 09:31:46 PM
And this is a big deal for me.  I love when I have a handful of stage plots for the weekend, and can do most of the planning at my leisure during the week.
+1.  I really appreciate having X32 edit on my MacBook but could live with a tablet version for SQ if that's all that AH is offering.  I've been complaining about its lack for the QU series for a long while now (along with many others on the AH forums) but would welcome a SQ version as that's the direction my venue is heading anyway.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on October 16, 2018, 10:48:19 PM
Regarding offline editor:
https://community.allen-heath.com/forums/topic/offline-editor-3

They said that Midi control would be enabled, it wasn't.
TCP/IP midi control isn't enabled.

USB Midi is.

I was wrong, only DAW control. No MIDI control yet. I don't recall if they said it was coming Q3.
https://community.allen-heath.com/forums/topic/midi-control-of-the-sq-mixer-is-not-supported-in-firmware-v1-3
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Kevin Maxwell on October 16, 2018, 11:58:47 PM
Regarding offline editor:
https://community.allen-heath.com/forums/topic/offline-editor-3
TCP/IP midi control isn't enabled.

USB Midi is.


I was wrong, only DAW control. No MIDI control yet. I don't recall if they said it was coming Q3.
https://community.allen-heath.com/forums/topic/midi-control-of-the-sq-mixer-is-not-supported-in-firmware-v1-3

Yes they did say the MIDI control would be in V1.3. I have an email trail where they said it would be and then just before 1.3 was to be released they said it wouldn't be. I was really hoping that the SQ series would be good but I was seriously disappointing when I had one for a few months.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on October 17, 2018, 08:39:05 AM
Yes they did say the MIDI control would be in V1.3. I have an email trail where they said it would be and then just before 1.3 was to be released they said it wouldn't be. I was really hoping that the SQ series would be good but I was seriously disappointed when I had one for a few months.

Ahh, too bad.

It probably was being tested, but they saw some issues during FQT. Tried to delay it and fix it, but ultimately couldn't. Thus the Oct 9th release.

---

To each their own, I really enjoy mine. I've learned to fly across the controls and can direct people without experience to the pages they want to access from memory without struggle.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Andrea Litti on October 17, 2018, 12:00:07 PM
The lack of an apparently basic feature like HPF on mix outs still puzzles me.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Corey Scogin on October 17, 2018, 12:37:11 PM
The MixPad app is still incredibly lacking.

I almost always end up doing the full sound check from a tablet so having a fully-featured app is a must. I'll mix the show from the console but at that point, all of the serious configuration and processing is set.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on October 17, 2018, 02:42:51 PM
And on the A&H Forum a lot of people are not happy.
Just a friendly reminder to check the price of the mixer.  There will always be a wish list.  I'm not defending A&H for leaving anything off the mixer and I hope everyone's feature dreams are realized, however some perspective is in order - it's a lot of mixer for the money, and it is WAY, WAY more mixer than the X32.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on October 17, 2018, 05:21:22 PM
Just a friendly reminder to check the price of the mixer.  There will always be a wish list.  I'm not defending A&H for leaving anything off the mixer and I hope everyone's feature dreams are realized, however some perspective is in order - it's a lot of mixer for the money, and it is WAY, WAY more mixer than the X32.

Specifically, now that V1.3 is released; absolutely - in some (most?) ways. Tie lines are impressive they don't use processing channels to accomplish it too.

They have more work to do, but in 12mo the features have gone from it passes extremely good sounding audio but that's it to 90-95% of promised (in literature) capabilities.

The MixPad app is still incredibly lacking.

True, one thing at a time?

I'm speculating that next is to finish the Midi TCP/IP & USB control that they had to leave off of V1.3

Then, app improvements (or at same time).

While I wish they would get on de-esser & MBC I bet it'll be 6mo before that happens.

Hopefully, we get something for xmas :)

Main thing with V1.3 is all the under-hood changes. Now that that is all out of the way I bet they can make changes quicker.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on October 17, 2018, 07:07:53 PM
The MixPad app is still incredibly lacking.

I almost always end up doing the full sound check from a tablet so having a fully-featured app is a must. I'll mix the show from the console but at that point, all of the serious configuration and processing is set.

...question - what doesn't the app do that you need?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Corey Scogin on October 17, 2018, 10:20:05 PM
...question - what doesn't the app do that you need?

Without walking through the manual looking for features, a quick glance indicates:
-no HPF on EQ
-no channel library saving/loading
-no channel naming (maybe I'm missing how to do that)

Those are the first things I noticed that I use often when setting up.
Just like with the Qu, I hope they get to feature parity between the app and the console. That will make the SQ system more attractive to me.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on October 18, 2018, 03:36:05 AM
Without walking through the manual looking for features, a quick glance indicates:
-no HPF on EQ
-no channel library saving/loading
-no channel naming (maybe I'm missing how to do that)

Those are the first things I noticed that I use often when setting up.
Just like with the Qu, I hope they get to feature parity between the app and the console. That will make the SQ system more attractive to me.

I don't think you can do memory functions on the ipad app - i.e. load & save to the library.  I think this is how A&H inteded it to work and I don't see that as an issue when you have a fully functioned work surface ... but there is a HP filter control and naming on the app  :).

In the middle right between the channel meters there is a "handle" to either open the details (drag the handle down) or to expand the faders (drag the handle up).   Drag the handle down and you can access the HPF control, name and set the colors for the channels. You can also see the compressor and gate time function graph.

With the handle down there are some quick tabs on the left so you can flick quickly between the expanded fuctions for the pre-amp, compressor, gate and EQ ... neat  :)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Eric Snodgrass on October 18, 2018, 07:30:50 PM
but there is a HP filter control and naming on the app  :).
Peter, I don't think there is a HPF on any of the output EQs.  This has been a feature that users have been wanting on the SQ and for years on the QU. 
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on October 18, 2018, 11:20:32 PM
Peter, I don't think there is a HPF on any of the output EQs.  This has been a feature that users have been wanting on the SQ and for years on the QU.

We are talking about 2 different things, I was talking about accessing the channel HPF on the app.

 ... but you are correct, there is no HPF on the outputs, and it is something I have also requested on the outputs.  The work around in some cases is to send your monitors post insert (i think) that way you get the channel HPF but not the
EQ.   
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on December 09, 2018, 10:04:04 PM
SQ firmware maintenance release:

SQ-MixPad additions – Control of DEEP compressor and GEQ plug-ins.

https://www.allen-heath.com/media/Release-Notes-SQ-V1.3.1.pdf
https://www.allen-heath.com/key-series/sq/sq-software/
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on January 24, 2019, 04:48:46 PM
No idea how legit or not this is... but...

March 19 :)

Came from NAMM
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Debbie Dunkley on January 24, 2019, 09:32:36 PM
No idea how legit or not this is... but...

March 19 :)

Came from NAMM

 :)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: John Halliburton on January 25, 2019, 10:16:35 AM
No idea how legit or not this is... but...

March 19 :)

Came from NAMM

Nothing at the A&H SQ firmware update page yet.

John
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on January 25, 2019, 11:28:58 AM
Yippie.  Kinda surprised no announcement of SQ related hardware of any kind, like a dx2412.  Didn’t really expect what I’d really like to see, an SQ level equivalent of Qu-SB or Qu-Pac.

I think a dx4816 is coming first (hopefully with ME expander ports)

Nothing at the A&H SQ firmware update page yet.

John

That image was taken down so I doubt this is (supposed to be) public knowledge.
And like all the other releases the update page wasn't updated until the firmware was actually released.

I'm thinking late March into April.

Also, that slide could be faked...
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on January 25, 2019, 02:12:08 PM
I think a dx4816 is coming first (hopefully with ME expander ports)

That image was taken down so I doubt this is (supposed to be) public knowledge.
And like all the other releases the update page wasn't updated until the firmware was actually released.

I'm thinking late March into April.

Also, that slide could be faked...

Or it was a dealer meeting and to be announced soonish?



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on January 25, 2019, 02:42:30 PM
Or it was a dealer meeting and to be announced soonish?

No idea, the image looks like some meeting at NAMM.
I stole it from a user group on FB.
I didn't sign any NDA's  :P

---

I cannot wait for MBC, DynEQ, DeEsser plugins! :)
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on January 25, 2019, 10:14:58 PM
Nathan, why this first?  Inside knowledge?  Or just thinking that this would be the most “complete” stage box connected to a FOH SQ?

Saw it on the post where the image came from.

So it's mostly speculation and 3rd hand info. But it also makes sense imo.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Scott Bolt on January 26, 2019, 04:36:18 PM
I don't own an SQ, but I would certainly like one ;)

Just one man's opinion, but I think that an off-line editor is an expected feature of any new digital mixer today.  For the SQ level of mixer I would think it was a glaring omission in today's market.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Jeff Lelko on January 26, 2019, 04:59:52 PM
Didn’t really expect what I’d really like to see, an SQ level equivalent of Qu-SB or Qu-Pac.

I too am quite surprised that there's no "SQ-Pac" yet.  I would have guessed we'd see one of those before the SQ7, but that's apparently not in line with what A&H has planned for this series.  The Qu-Pac is now 4 years old, and while not ancient by any means I'd think A&H would want to push as many users as possible up to an SQ equivalent with added features, especially if they plan on SQ eclipsing Qu. 
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Rob Spence on January 26, 2019, 09:53:52 PM
I too am quite surprised that there's no "SQ-Pac" yet.  I would have guessed we'd see one of those before the SQ7, but that's apparently not in line with what A&H has planned for this series.  The Qu-Pac is now 4 years old, and while not ancient by any means I'd think A&H would want to push as many users as possible up to an SQ equivalent with added features, especially if they plan on SQ eclipsing Qu.

Adding the SQ7 to manufacturing was a pretty easy change for the production line. All 3 SQ desks can be made on the same line.

A rack box is a new line to start up. Takes longer.



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Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on May 29, 2019, 08:09:59 AM
A&H SQ V1.4 Firmware updated

Major improvements:
-Offline editor (iPad, Android, PC, Mac)
-Ganging
-Rack FX Plugins (add-ons) [MBC, DynEQ, DeEss]
-Recall Filter
-Mono Matrix
-Midi protocol implementation


https://www.allen-heath.com/sq-v1-4/
https://www.allen-heath.com/media/Release-Notes-SQ-V1.4.0.pdf
https://www.allen-heath.com/media/SQ_ReferenceGuide_V1_4_0.pdf
https://www.allen-heath.com/media/SQ-MIDI-Protocol-Issue1.pdf


V1.4.0
Additional Features:
New add-ons available: DeEsser, Multiband Compressors (MultiBD3/MultiBD4), Dynamic EQ (DynEQ4)
Ganging
Per-scene recall filters
USB Scene and Library archiving
Copy Paste Reset of Scenes and Per-scene recall filters
IO Page socket control
Sync Mode for SQ-MixPad connection
MIDI NRPN control of Levels, Panning/Balance, Mutes, Assignments, SoftKeys
Mono matrix option
Preamp on surface option
Processing screen follows surface option
PEQ band follows screen option
Name/Colour options in channel library
HPF option in PEQ library
New soft control additions – MIDI program changes, note on/off, Listen Level
SQ-MixPad additions – Offline mode, follow SQ channel/mix options, PAFL setup, channel routing screen
Support for DX32 modular expander added
Global recall filters re-organised and extended
SQ-Drive performance metering
RTA peak band indication in GEQ Fader Flip
Socket number displays on channel LCD display
Channel and strip numbers added to strip assign
Touch scrolling added to all on-screen lists

Improvements:
ID-1201: Channel ms delay control improved
ID-1227: Compressor parallel path Dry/Wet control improved
ID-819: Channel mute time when engaging/disengaging PAD reduced
ID-620: Fader calibration process no longer requires rebooting
SQ Release Notes V1.4.0 Page 3 of 5

Issues fixed:
ID-720: Removed persistent metering when dSnake unit is disconnected
ID-1008: Mixer shutdown gracefully closes SQ-Drive recording
ID-1149: Reset Mix Settings button blocked correctly using user permissions
ID-1044: Input patch filtered when preamp recall blocked
ID-1266: SQ-Drive seek bar appears correctly on first launch of screen
ID-1276: SQ-Drive recording to maximum length no longer lists two recordings in playback
ID-565: Stereo insert left disconnects correctly when right send is repatched elsewhere
ID-1390: Corrected issue with incorrect output patching when switching mix stereo/mono
ID-894: Insert LED correctly displays status on scene recall
ID-807: FX Library items now contain Dry/Wet levels when stored as insert
ID-563: Insert point In/Out status persists when creating or editing
ID-1307: Correction to stereo flag when sending mix channels to a ME system
ID-364: Preamp surface control does not affect trim when Mix Ext In has no preamp available
ID-1339: AR84 Tie Line patching now persistent after power cycle
ID-1271: Routing screen now displays from LHS on opening
ID-1287: Fixed inconsistency in AFL/PFL on LR when switching output AFL setting
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Roland Clarke on May 30, 2019, 05:51:53 AM
That’s more like it!  Looks like the SQ is getting to offer some good value.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Peter Morris on May 30, 2019, 07:54:27 AM
That’s more like it!  Looks like the SQ is getting to offer some good value.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Dan Richardson on May 30, 2019, 09:22:12 AM
A&H SQ V1.4 Firmware updated

Major improvements:
-DEEP Plugins (MBC, DynEQ, DeEss)

Rack, not DEEP.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on May 30, 2019, 10:12:38 AM
Rack, not DEEP.

Corrected. Thanks.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on August 14, 2019, 09:34:03 AM
SQ MixPad V1.4.3
• Control of the Dynamic Trio plugins (MultiBD, DynEQ4, DeEsser)
• Ganging setup
• Access to Factory Libraries in Offline mode

V1.4.3
Improvements:
• ID-1558: Channel Name and Colour now update throughout system on library item recall
Issues fixed:
• ID-1552: Members no longer removed from gang after MixPad push and scene recall
• ID-1559: Surface Master fader correctly linked to MixPad when in GEQ Fader Flip
• ID-1553: ‘Hall Choral HF’ FX Preset ‘Ref Detail’ value corrected
• ID-1562: Fixed V1.4.2 FPGA image which caused unwanted noise on some units

V1.4.2 Maintenance release
• ID-1528: Added labelling to MultiBD4 LM band
• ID-1543: Multiple DAW methods added to SysEx naming via DAW Control Driver
• ID-1532: CH to All Mix now works on ganged channels
• ID-1529: MultiBD ‘Link’ and ‘Rel’ functions fixed
• ID-1540: DynEQ4, and MultiBD metering corrected
• ID-1526: PEQ Library HPF recall corrected
• ID-1525: Subnet mask for static address can be edited
• ID-1523: Input gangs now function with 12 members

V1.4.1 Maintenance release
• ID-1504: Insert state correctly translated from previous firmware revisions
• ID-1508: USB libraries can be transferred when there is no stored user library on console
• ID-1492: DynEQ master trim meter level corrected
• ID-1493: MultiBD3 and MultiBD4 master trim meter corrected
• ID-1426: SoftKey and Footswitch Scene Recall scene list updates correctly
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Dave Garoutte on August 14, 2019, 07:25:51 PM
Dev-Core has released the preliminary SQ version of Mixing Station for Android.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on February 12, 2020, 11:54:27 AM
Note: not official

New firmware incoming :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyDc_GmEDJI

-DCA spills
-RTA over EQ
-New FX Bucket Brigade & HypaBass
-IO Patch upates
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on April 22, 2020, 11:18:57 AM
https://www.allen-heath.com/sq-v1-5/
https://www.allen-heath.com/media/Release-Notes-SQ-V1.5.0.pdf

Finally here!

This link should work even without an account. No they didn't put it on YT that I can find. :(
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=905797769862774

Additional Features:
Improvements:
Issues fixed:
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Thomas Le on April 22, 2020, 01:10:22 PM
Guess with all these new features for SQ, I think QU is getting the chopping block on updates... I'm probably living under a rock for just realizing this...
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Yoel Klein on April 23, 2020, 12:39:45 AM
Finally a Low pass filter.  Can this be used for the subs instead of an active crossover?
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Douglas R. Allen on April 23, 2020, 06:55:34 AM
Finally a Low pass filter.  Can this be used for the subs instead of an active crossover?

Watched the video on it the other day I did see selectable crossover slopes 12/18/24 but only Bessel on the outputs if I remember right. I'll have to watch the video again today.  If that will work for you then they are there.

Douglas R. Allen

Edit:  It does look like other slopes are available in the low cut.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Dan Richardson on April 23, 2020, 10:57:39 AM

Edit:  It does look like other slopes are available in the low cut.

He's asking about low pass. Subwoofer output.
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Douglas R. Allen on April 23, 2020, 03:21:00 PM
He's asking about low pass. Subwoofer output.

Yes, I went back and took a look at it. The low pass doesn't have the same setup. Maybe the next firmware.

Douglas R. Allen
Title: Re: New Allen & Heath SQ Series
Post by: Nathan Riddle on May 05, 2020, 11:20:29 AM
Guess with all these new features for SQ, I think QU is getting the chopping block on updates... I'm probably living under a rock for just realizing this...

QU is probably done being developed. Yes, I wish A&H was a bit more like Behringer and update their QU series 6+ years later...

Yes, I went back and took a look at it. The low pass doesn't have the same setup. Maybe the next firmware.

Douglas R. Allen

He's asking about low pass. Subwoofer output.

Finally a Low pass filter.  Can this be used for the subs instead of an active crossover?

The other issue with using this for system processing (besides LPF slope not being adjustable) is that the mains HPF also affects the matrix outs. So you can't do subs on MTX without also having mains on MTX. But most do subs on aux anyways so that's not a huge deal IMO.