Overview
The Allen & Heath SQ5+ takes the most compact mixer in the SQ family and gives it more of everything that matters. It still runs the 96 kHz XCVI core with 48 input channels, 12 stereo mixes plus LR, six matrices and under 0.7 ms of latency, and it still fits a 19 inch rack with the optional kit. What has changed is the screen, the effects and the processing headroom, all of it aimed at getting a show mixed faster.
With 17 motorised faders and 16 XLR mic inputs in a frame one person can carry, the SQ5+ suits corporate events, churches, bands and small venues, and works well as a monitor console beside a larger FOH desk.
Highlights
- 48 channels, 44 busses and 17 motorised faders on a 96 kHz XCVI core with under 0.7 ms latency
- New 9 inch touchscreen with dark GUI, up from 7 inches on the SQ-5
- 12 FX engines: 4 x RackUltra from dLive plus 8 x RackExtra
- New DEEP add-ons: CompStortion, Source Expander and Dual Threshold Expander
- PlusPack included with registration, unlocking every DEEP and RackExtra add-on
- 16 XLR mic/line inputs, 12 XLR outputs, AES3 out, 128 x 128 SLink and a 64 x 64 I/O Port
- 32 x 32 USB audio interface and SQ-Drive direct-to-USB recording
- Rack mountable with the optional SQ-5-RK19 kit, 11.2 kg, 2 year warranty
Under the hood
The plus generation keeps everything that made the SQ-5 a fixture at front of house and in monitor world, then adds to it. The 7 inch screen has grown to a 9 inch capacitive touchscreen behind flush glass, with a new dark interface and colour-coded patching. Four RackUltra FX engines from dLive join the existing eight RackExtra engines, with dedicated stereo sends and returns for reverbs, vocal tuning, pitch and harmony, amp modelling and saturation. Extra DSP headroom unlocks three DEEP add-ons previously limited to dLive and Avantis: CompStortion, Source Expander and Dual Threshold Expander. Register the mixer and the PlusPack unlocks every existing DEEP and RackExtra add-on at no charge.
I/O and connectivity
On the rear panel are 16 recallable XLR mic/line preamps, three stereo line inputs, a talkback input, 12 XLR outputs, two TRS outputs and an AES3 digital output. The 128 x 128 SLink port connects DX168, DX32 or GX4816 stage boxes, and the 64 x 64 I/O Port takes a Dante, Waves, MADI or SLink card. A 32 x 32 USB-B interface and SQ-Drive multitrack recording cover virtual soundcheck and live capture. Free SQ+ MixPad and SQ+ 4You apps add wireless mixing and up to eight personal monitor mixes.
Backed by a two year manufacturer warranty. Forefront Productions can demo, install and support the SQ5+ for venues, churches and production companies across Australia.
Specifications
| Core | 96 kHz XCVI FPGA, 48 input channels, under 0.7 ms latency |
| Mix busses | 12 stereo aux/group plus LR, 6 mono/linkable matrix (44 bus) |
| Faders | 17 x 100 mm motorised, 6 layers |
| SoftKeys / SoftRotaries | 8 SoftKeys |
| Screen | 9 inch capacitive touchscreen, 1024 x 600, dark GUI |
| FX engines | 8 x RackExtra plus 4 x RackUltra (dLive derived) |
| Mic/line inputs | 16 x XLR, recallable preamps, plus 3 stereo line inputs and 1 XLR talkback |
| Outputs | 12 x XLR, 2 x TRS (A/B), headphones, 1 x AES3 stereo out |
| SLink | 128 x 128 Intelligent SLink (EtherCON), dSnake, DX and GigaACE/GX modes |
| I/O Port | 1 x option card slot, 64 x 64 (Dante, Waves, MADI or SLink cards) |
| USB | USB-B 32 x 32 audio interface, USB-A SQ-Drive multitrack recording |
| Automatic mic mixing | 2 x 24-channel or 1 x 48-channel AMM |
| Dimensions | 514.9 x 440 x 198 mm (W x D x H) |
| Weight | 11.2 kg unit, 14.9 kg packed |
| Power | 100 to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, 95 W max |
| Warranty | 2 year manufacturer warranty |
| Rack mount | Optional SQ-5-RK19 19 inch rack kit |
