SQ-5+

The brand Allen & heath

Allen & Heath SQ5+ is a compact digital mixing console designed for sound engineers, contractors and AV installations looking for a high-performance, professional solution that’s easy to transport. Thanks to the XCVI 96 kHz FPGA engine inherited from dLive systems, it offers high-resolution audio processing with extremely low latency. Its new design, 9″ touchscreen and numerous mixing options make it ideal for live, broadcast and modern hybrid configurations. Compact yet powerful, it’s perfect for light touring, venues and demanding mobile performances.

Features

High-performance XCVI 96 kHz FPGA engine

The SQ5+ is based on the XCVI processor developed by Allen & Heath for its high-end dLive consoles. This architecture guarantees extremely precise audio processing with a latency of less than 0.7 ms. The result is a more natural, more dynamic and perfectly coherent mix, particularly suited to concerts, video recordings and broadcast applications.

48 channels and 12 flexible stereo mixes

The console manages up to 48 inputs and 36 outputs, with 12 stereo mixes configurable as auxiliaries or groups. This flexibility makes it easy to manage in-ear monitors, subgroups and complex live configurations without adding external hardware. It easily adapts to the needs of modern productions.

New 9-inch touchscreen and fast workflow

The SQ5+ boasts a redesigned graphical interface and 9″ capacitive touchscreen for quick access to essential parameters. Channels can be customized with names and colors to improve legibility during mixing. Assignable buttons and physical controls also make for faster intervention in live situations.

DEEP plug-ins and RackUltra FX engines

The console supports Allen & Heath DEEP processing and several integrated stereo effects engines. You benefit directly from compressors, preamps, reverbs, delays and advanced processing without the need for an external computer or added latency. This integration considerably simplifies setup while enhancing the quality of audio processing.

Dante, Waves connectivity and expandable system

Thanks to its SLink and I/O ports, the SQ5+ can accommodate Dante or Waves cards and connect to Allen & Heath digital stageboxes. You can easily expand your setup according to project needs, while maintaining perfect compatibility with existing professional audio infrastructures.

Integrated multitrack recording

The SQ-Drive system allows you to record a concert in stereo or multitrack directly to a USB stick or external hard disk without a computer. The console also functions as a 32×32, 96 kHz USB audio interface for DAWs, virtual scales and playbacks. This reduces the amount of hardware required for mobile performances.

Integrated automatic microphone mixer

The integrated AMM facilitates the management of multi-microphone environments such as conferences, TV sets or corporate events. As processing is directly integrated into the console, no additional latency is added. You’ll quickly get a cleaner, more intelligible rendering.

What we like / What we need to know

• Compact format particularly suited to mobile performances and light touring.
• 96 kHz audio processing with extremely low latency.
• New, more comfortable 9-inch touchscreen and modernized interface.
• Compatible with Dante, Waves and Allen & Heath ecosystem via extension ports.
• Integrated USB multitrack recording without additional computer.
• DEEP plugins and some RackUltra FX effects require activation or purchase via the Allen & Heath shop.

Who this product is for

• Live sound engineers looking for a compact, high-performance console for concerts and events.
• Audiovisual service providers needing a reliable, easily transportable solution.
• Small and medium-sized venues looking for a modern console compatible with Dante and Waves.
• Technicians using complex in-ear monitoring systems.
• Live and broadcast productions requiring a fast console with integrated multitrack recording.