Description
The Allen & Heath Qu-16 Rackmountable Digital Mixer is a 16-channel digital mixer and USB audio interface designed for live and installed sound as well as studio use. It features 16 mic or line selectable inputs and 3 stereo line inputs. Its 16 anaLOGIQ microphone preamps have digitally recallable settings that can be saved and recalled for future sessions. The Qu-16 has a variety of output options, including 4 mono XLR mix outputs, 3 XLR stereo-pair mix outputs, an alternative TRS stereo-pair mix output, a TRS stereo-pair 2 track output, and a 2 channel AES digital output.
The Qu-16 has 16 busses as well as 4 stereo effects returns, and offers a variety of routing options and controls. It has a 5″ 800×480 resolution touchscreen that displays your metering and RTA views, effects tracks, processing, routing, and saved scenes. The 16 tracks are controllable with the 16 100mm motorised faders. Built-in processing allows you to AEQ, compress, gate, switch polarity, and apply delay to all 16 tracks. All of your settings can be saved as a scene and recalled later for quick set up.
Thanks to its internal convertors, the Qu-16 is also a USB audio interface and can record to any Core Audio compatible software on your Mac. You can also record to and play back audio from an external USB hard drive. It is compatible with the Qu-Pad iPad app that allows you to control your mix with your iPad over a connected wireless network. The Qu-16 unit itself can be rackmounted or set up on a desk.
Key Features
AnaLOGIQ PreampsQu-16’s sixteen AnaLOGIQ total recall preamps feature zero crossing detection and an advanced padless 1dB step gain stage, closely allied to the DSP for optimal gain accuracy and audio transparency. The analogue signal is captured by low-latency 24-bit analogue-to-digital converters matched to high-quality 24-bit digital-to-analogue converters to deliver the required outputs. The AnaLOGIQ design has been refined to offer transparency, minimal distortion and a low noise floor, with a warm, musical sound
Touch ControlThe 800 x 480, sixteen-million colour Touchscreen and its dedicated data encoder form the heart of the Qu-16 interface, providing fast, easy access to all settings. The user-friendly interface has been designed with clarity in mind. Dedicated keys and screen tabs quickly guide you to metre and RTA views, FX racks, channel processing, USB audio control, scenes, setup menus and much more
The SuperStripAll your key processing tools are presented in a clean layout on the SuperStrip, with 1 function per physical control. The SuperStrip is complemented by an onscreen Touch Channel for intuitive access to full processing parameters without clutter or complex menu structures. Processing for Mono and Stereo inputs includes trim, polarity, HPF, gate, insert, 4-band PEQ, compressor and delay. The main LR and the Mono mixes have controls for Insert, 1/3-octave GEQ, compressor and delay. The Stereo mixes provide Insert, 4-band PEQ, compressor, delay and balance control
Fader AutomationFader automation is essential for rapid mixing, especially when you’re dealing with multiple monitor mixes – just press a mix key and the faders immediately fly to the send levels for that mix. Qu-16 features 17 motorised ALPS faders, 16 arranged over 2 layers, allowing instant access to all channels and masters in a compact space, plus a dedicated master fader which dynamically follows the mix selection. A third, Custom layer is available for ad-hoc user strip layout, where any combination of Inputs, FX Sends, FX Returns and Mix masters can be assigned
iLive FXQu-16’s dynamics and FX algorithms are derived from the FX used in Allen & Heath’s iLive pro touring series. Qu-16 boasts 4 stereo iLive FX engines, featuring crafted emulations of legendary classic reverbs, gated reverbs, delays, modulators, flangers and more. The FX library has the ability to grow with future firmware releases. FX are returned to the mix on dedicated return channels, so you’re not tying up your mono and stereo input channels. Each Stereo FX Return has a dedicated 4-band PEQ
Total RecallTrue digital mixing is about being able to save and recall scenes (snapshots) at the press of a button. Qu-16 can store up to 100 full Scenes for recall at will. Channels and mixes can be made Safe from Scene recall. For example, if an instrument or mic gets swapped out after the soundcheck, the channel can be made safe to avoid settings being overridden by Scene recalls. Or if a broadcast feed or walk-in iPod is added last-minute before the show kicks off, that mix or channel can be made safe from any scene change. In addition, single parameter updates can be blocked using per scene Recall Filters or a Global Recall Filter. So if you tweak the graphic AEQ to reflect the room response when the audience gets in, you can block this to prevent any overwriting at scene change. Custom settings for each AEQ, compressor, channel or FX can be saved as Library presets. This lets you store your tried and tested AEQ setting for your favourite vocal mic or reverb pattern and apply it to other channels or shows. Libraries, Scenes and the complete Show configuration can be saved to a USB key, so you can carry the show with you, ready to use on another Qu-16
USB Audio StreamingQu-16’s built-in interface streams multitrack audio to your Mac channel 1 to 16, the Main LR mix and 3 selectable stereo pairs. The returns from the Mac can be assigned to the 16 Mono channels plus stereos. The interface is class-compliant on Mac OS X – which means it’s truly plug ‘n play, with no need to instal a driver. It will be recognised straightaway by any DAW supporting Core Audio, including Logic, Cubase, Reaper, and Pro Tools. Standard MIDI control is tunnelled over the USB connection so you can easily map the faders to the tracks of your favourite DAW. Alternatively, a MIDI driver is available for use with the Ethernet port
Qu-DriveThe Qu-16 has an integrated multitrack USB recorder, providing 18 channels of 48kHz/24-bit recording and playback straight to and from your USB hard drive. Capturing multitrack recordings of your shows has never been so easy. A selectable stereo pair can be recorded alongside the 16 mono channels, and multitrack audio can be played back to the 16 mono channels plus ST1. On top of this, Qu-Drive also provides stereo recording, patchable from any pair of Mix outputs, the Main LR (pre, post, or summed to mono) or even the PAFL bus, with 2- track stereo playback to ST3
ARM Core ProcessingThe Qu-16 is equipped with 5 cores of high-efficiency ARM core processing, with dedicated ARM cores running the touchscreen display and surface, USB streaming, Qu-Drive multi-channel USB recording and playback, Ethernet and fader automation. Between them the ARM cores provide state-of-the-art processing, working in parallel to deliver extensive control, instant-on operation, and fast response. The mixer’s DSP farm exploits next generation dual-core DSPs, giving 10 DSP cores, with 8 dedicated to the channel and mix processing alone. With so much DSP power under the hood the channel processing is only using a fraction of capacity, so Qu-16 is future-proofed, with ample room for updates and extra functionality. The Qu-16 DSP architecture employs varied bit depths, tailored to specific algorithms, with 48-bits on critical AEQ functions and a 56-bit accumulator on the mix bus where it really counts, allowing every nuance of the audio to be captured in the final mix
Qu-PadAdd the Qu-Pad iPad app to your Qu-16 setup and you’re free to adjust the monitors on stage, roam around the venue whilst tweaking the PA, and then mix the show from the heart of the audience. Qu-Pad connects to the mixer over Wi-Fi and gives instant access to all live mixing parameters and settings. Qu-Pad requires the connection of a Wi-Fi router or access point to the Qu-16 Network port
ME Personal Mixing SystemQu-16 is fully compatible with the ME Personal Mixing System. Any number of ME-1 personal mixers can be chained from the dSNAKE port. Each performer can be given tailored control over their own mix, leaving the engineer free to focus on the audience experience
Specifications
Input / Output
Inputs
16x 1/4″ (6.35 mm) Balanced TRS Line Inputs16x XLR Mic Inputs2x Stereo Pair 1/4″ (6.35 mm) Balanced TRS Inputs, Half-Normalled1x Stereo 1/8″ (3.5 mm) Unbalanced Mini-Jack Input1x XLR Talkback Mic Input1x Ethernet dSNAKE Remote Source for Channels 1 to 16, ST1, ST2, ST3
Preamplifier
Analogue Gain: -10 to 60 dB, 1 dB Steps
Trim
Stereo Line Inputs: +/- 24 dB
Input Sensitivity
XLR: -60 to 10 dBuTRS: -50 to 20 dBuStereo 1, 2, 3: Nominal 4 dBu/0 dBu
Maximum Input Level
XLR: 19 dBuTRS: 29 dBuStereo 1, 2, 3: 22 dBu/19 dBu
Input Impedance
XLR: > 5 kΩTRS: > 10 kΩStereo Line Inputs: > 7 kΩ
THD + N
Unity Gain 0 dB: 0.0005%, -89 dBu (20 Hz to 20 kHz, Direct Out @ 0 dBu, 1 kHz)Mid Gain 30 dB: 0.001%, -83 dBu (20 Hz to 20 kHz, Direct Out @ 0 dBu, 1 kHz)
Outputs
4x Mono XLR Mix Outputs3x Stereo Pair XLR Mix Outputs1x Stereo Pair XLR Main Outputs1x Stereo Pair 1/4″ (6.35 mm) TRS Alt Mix Output1x Stereo Pair 1/4″ (6.35 mm) TRS 2TRK Output1x XLR AES Digital 2-Channel, 48 kHz Sampling Rate Output (2.5 Vpp Balanced Terminated 110 Ω)1x Ethernet dSNAKE Remote Outputs for Mix 1 to 10, LR
Output Impedance
XLR/TRS: < 75 Ω
Nominal Output
XLR/TRS: 4 dBu = 0 dB Metre Reading
Maximum Output Level
XLR/TRS: 22 dBu
Residual Output Noise
XLR/TRS: -91 dBu (Muted, 20 Hz to 20 kHz)
System
Dynamic Range
112 dB
Frequency Response
20 Hz to 20 kHz (+/- 0.5 dB)
Headroom
18 dB
Operating Level
Internal: 0 dBu
dBFS Alignment
18 dBu = 0 dBFS (22 dBu @ XLR Output)
Calibration
Metre: 0 dB Metre= 18 dBFS (4 dBu @ XLR Output)
Metre Peak Indication
-3 dBFS (19 dBu @ XLR Output), Multi-Point Sensing
Metre Signal Indication
-48 dBFS (-26 dBu @ XLR Output)
Metre
Type: Fast (Peak) Response
Sampling Rate
48 kHz +/- 100 PPM
Analogue to Digital Convertor
24-Bit Delta Sigma
Digital to Analogue Convertor
24-Bit Delta Sigma
Latency
1.2 ms (Local XLR in to XLR Out)0.7 ms (Local XLR in to AES Out)
Operating Temperature Range
0° to 35°C
Power Supply
100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, 82 W Maximum
USB Interface
Resolution
Send & Return: Multi-Channel, WAV, 48 kHz/24-Bit
Device
USB A
Record / Play Format
Stereo Record: 2-Channel, WAV, 48 kHz/24-Bit, PatchableStereo Playback: 2-Channel, WAV, 44.1 or 48 kHz, 16 or 24-Bit to Stereo 3Multitrack Record: 18-Channel, WAV, 48 kHz/24-Bit, Channels 1 to 16 + Patchable PairMultitrack Playback: 18-Channel, WAV, 48 kHz/24-Bit, Channels 1 to 16, Stereo 1
Controls
Faders
16x 3.9" (100 mm) Motorised
Touch Screen
5" (126 mm) TFT800 x 480 Resolution
Softkeys
4
Mute Groups
4
Network
TCP/IP Ethernet for iPad App
Processing
Channels
Local, Remote, USB
Stereo Linking
Odd/Even Input PairsParameters Linked: AEQ, Dynamics, Insert, Delay, Assignments, SendsLink Options: Preamp, Polarity, Sidechains, Fader/Mute, Pan
Polarity
Normal/Reverse
HPF
12 dB/Octave, 20 Hz to 2 kHz
Insert
Assign FX into Input Channels
Delay
Up to 85 ms
Gate
Self-Key SidechainThreshold/Depth: -72 dBu to 18 dBu / 0 to 60 dBAttack/Hold/Release: 50 ms to 300 ms, 10 ms to 5 s, 10 ms to 1 s
Parametric Equaliser
Band 1: Selectable LF Shelving (Baxandall), BellBand 2 & 3: BellBand 4: Selectable HF Shelving (Baxandall), BellBell Width: Non-Constant Q, Variable, 1.5 to 1/9th Octave
Compressor
Self-Key SidechainThreshold/Ratio: -46 dBu to 18 dBu (1:1 to Infinity)Attack/Release: 300 us to 300 ms / 100 ms to 2 sKnee: Soft/HardTypes: Peak Manual, RMS Manual, SlowOpto, PunchBag
Channel Direct Out
Follow Fader, Follow Mute (Global Options)Source Select (Global): Post-Preamp, Pre-AEQ, Post-AEQ, Post-Delay
Mix Processing
Equaliser
GEQ: Constant 1/3 Octave, 28 Bands 31 Hz to 16 kHz, (+/- 12 dB Gain), Mix 1-4, LR
Effects
Types: Reverbs, Delays, Gated Reverb, ADT, Chorus, Symphonic Chorus, Phaser, Flanger4x Dedicated Stereo FX Returns: Fader, Pan, Mute, Routing to Mix/LR, 4-Band PEQ
Tools
PAFL: PFL or Stereo in-Place AFL, 0 to -24 dB Trim, 85 ms DelayTalkback: Assignable to Any Mix, 12 dB/Octave HPFSignal Generator: Assignable to Any Mix, Sinae/White/Pink/Bandpass NoiseRTA: 31 Bands, 1/3 Octave 20 Hz to 20 kHz, Follows PAFL Source
General
Dimensions (WxDxH)
Desk Mounted: 440 x 500 x 186 mmRack Mounted: 483 x 486 x 190 mm, 1 RU
Weight
10 kg
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