Overview
The Allen & Heath SQ-5 is the most compact desk in the original SQ range: 48 input channels, 36 buses and 16+1 motorised faders in a 19 inch rack mountable frame. It runs on the same 96 kHz XCVI FPGA engine as the SQ-6 and SQ-7, so you get full SQ processing in a frame that fits a small control room, a church bio box or a flight case.
Onboard there are 16+1 mic preamps, 12 XLR outputs, two TRS outputs and an AES out. When the local inputs run out, the SLink port takes Allen & Heath stage boxes and the 64x64 I/O port accepts Dante, Waves, MADI or SLink cards. It suits churches, schools, corporate AV, function venues and bands.
Highlights
- 96 kHz XCVI FPGA processing, DEEP processing ready
- 48 input channels, 12 stereo mixes plus LR, 3 stereo matrices
- 16+1 onboard mic preamps with 12 XLR line outputs
- 8 stereo FX engines with dedicated returns
- SLink port plus 64x64 I/O port for Dante, Waves, MADI or SLink
- 32x32 USB audio interface and SQ-Drive recording to USB
- Automatic mic mixing for panels and conferences
- 19 inch rack mountable frame
Specifications
| Input channels | 48 |
| Mixes | 12 stereo + LR, 3 stereo matrices (36 buses) |
| Mic preamps | 16+1 |
| Line inputs | 2 stereo |
| Outputs | 12 XLR line, 2 TRS line, 1 AES |
| Faders | 16+1 motorised, 6 layers |
| Screen | 7 inch capacitive touchscreen |
| SoftKeys | 8 assignable |
| FX | 8 stereo engines |
| Expansion | SLink port, 64x64 I/O port |
| USB | 32x32 audio interface, SQ-Drive |
| Dimensions | 440 x 515 x 198 mm (W x D x H) |
| Weight | 10.5 kg |
Forefront Tip
If you are likely to outgrow 16 local preamps, plan the stage end from day one. An SLink stage box such as the DX168 puts the inputs on stage and keeps your multicore to a single Cat5e run, and the SQ-5 stays as the control surface.
