Allen & Heath Goes Large With SQ-7

Following hot on the heels of the SQ-5 and SQ-6 launch, the new SQ-7 takes the same XCVI 96k FPGA engine and adds extended control and I/O in a larger format. That means you get 33 faders, 32 onboard preamps, 16 custom soft keys and eight user-definable soft rotary controls.

SQ-7 is a 48-channel console, fully compatible with a range of remote I/O expanders, including the portable DX168 96kHz stage boxes. Inputs and mixes can be individually assigned to 192 fader strips across six layers. The 16 softkeys and eight user-assignable soft rotary controls lets you customise your workflow to the needs of each show. Forthcoming Dante, Waves and SLink audio networking cards further extend the scope for expansion, system integration, FOH/monitor splits and recording.

Optional DEEP processing plugins give SQ-7 access to boutique compressor and preamp emulations which can be embedded directly into all input and mix channels, without adding system latency.

The console’s SQ-Drive feature makes it easy to capture 96k stereo and multitrack recordings direct to a USB drive. SQ can also be hooked up to a PC or Mac via USB to become a plug ’n’ play, Core Audio or ASIO compliant 32×32 audio interface, with upcoming MIDI and DAW Control capabilities. Another standout feature for AV customers is the inclusion of two independent, fully integrated and assignable Automatic Mic Mixers, that can be combined to create a 48 channel AMM.

Allen & Heath Product Manager, Keith Johnson said, “SQ-7 embodies everything that’s so exciting about SQ – the power, the speed, the ergonomics – in a more imposing format that lets us push the capabilities of the console even further. As soon as we unleashed the SQ phenomenon, we were inundated by people who loved the concept and the features, and who wanted to take SQ into scenarios that called for more built-in I/O and more hands-on control. This one is for them!”

SQ-7 is supported by an ecosystem of mixing and personal monitoring apps, remote I/O expanders, audio networking cards and ME personal mixers, multiplying the system’s expansion and integration possibilities.