Allen & Heath Introduce Qu-16 Digital Rack Mount Mixer

	Allen & Heath's Qu-16 digital rack mount mixer

Allen & Heath announces the new Qu-16 rack mountable digital mixer.

The company says the Qu-16 takes compact digital mixing to a new level with innovative design and exceptional functionality combining to create a superb professional mixing experience. The Qu-16 has the power and pedigree to deliver class-leading audio performance. The Qu-16 features:

• 16 mono inputs (TRS + XLR)
• Three stereo inputs (TRS)
• Four stereo FX returns
• 16 busses
• 12 mix outputs (LR, mono mix 1-4, stereo mix 1-3)
• Four FX engines
• AES digital out
• 19" rack mountable
• Moving faders
• Recallable AnaLOGIQTM preamps
• Qu-Drive direct Multitrack recording / playback on USB drives
• 800x480 touchscreen
• iLive FX library
• dSNAKE remote audio port
• Compatible with ME personal mixing system
• Qu-Pad iPad app
• USB audio streaming
• DAW MIDI control • Four mute groups
• Trim, polarity, HPF, gate, insert, four-band PEQ, compressor, and delay on all inputs
• Insert, 1/3 octave GEQ, compressor, and delay on main LR and mono mix outputs
• Insert, four-band PEQ, compressor, and delay on stereo mix outputs
• Built-in signal generator
• RTA with peak band indication

The Qu-16's 16 AnalogiQTM total recall preamps feature zero crossing detection and a padless 1dB step gain stage, closely allied to the DSP for optimal gain accuracy and audio transparency. The analog signal is captured by high-class, low-latency 24bit analog to digital converters matched to high quality 24bit digital to analog converters to deliver the required outputs. The AnalogiQTM design has been refined to offer transparency, minimal distortion, and a low noise floor, with a warm, musical sound that is missing from some digital consoles.

The Qu-16 has years of research into ergonomics and the hands-on mixing experience to deliver a natural layout and workflow. It's not about recreating an analog interface, it's about creating an experience that's fluid, comfortable, and intuitive for novices, digital natives and old school road warriors alike, making all the benefits of digital mixing technology readily accessible to all.

The 800 x 480, color 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 the user to meter and RTA views, FX racks, channel processing, USB audio control, scenes, setup menus, and much more.

All the key processing tools are presented in a clean layout on the SuperStrip the company says, with one 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, four-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, four-band PEQ, compressor, delay, and balance control.

Fader automation is essential for rapid mixing, especially when the user is 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 motorized ALPS faders, 16 arranged over two 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.

Qu-16's dynamics and FX algorithms are derived from the FX used in our iLive pro touring series. Qu-16 includes four 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 engines are returned to the mix on dedicated return channels, so the user is not tying up mono and stereo input channels. Each stereo FX return has a dedicated four-band PEQ.

True 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. 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. Custom settings for each EQ, compressor, channel, or FX can be saved as library presets. This lets the user store tried and tested SM58 EQ 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 the user can carry the show with them, ready to use on another Qu-16.

Qu-16's built-in interface streams multitrack audio to the user's Mac channel 1 to 16, the main LR mix and three 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 the company says means it's truly plug 'n play, with no need to install a driver. It will be recognized straightaway by any DAW supporting core audio, including logic, cubase, reaper, and pro tools.

Standard MIDI control is tunneled over the USB connection so the user can easily map the faders to the tracks of their favorite DAW. Alternatively, a MIDI driver is available for use with the Ethernet port.

Qu-16 has an integrated multi-track USB recorder, providing 18 channels of 48kHz 24bit recording and playback straight to / from the USB hard drive. A selectable stereo pair can be recorded alongside the 16 Mono channels, and multi-track audio can be played back to the 16 Mono channels plus ST1. 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 two-track stereo playback to ST3.

Qu-16 is equipped with five 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 / 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 lightning-fast response according to the company. The mixer's DSP farm exploits next generation dual core DSPs, giving 10 DSP cores, with eight dedicated to the channel and mix processing alone. The Qu-16 DSP architecture employs varied bit depths, tailored to specific algorithms, with 48 bits on critical EQ functions and a 56 bit accumulator on the mix bus, allowing every nuance of the audio to be captured in the final mix.

Made from 18 gauge, cold-rolled Zintec steel, Qu-16's distinctive frame is designed for strength, rigidity, and ease of rack mounting. Qu-16's sleek profile generates optimal airflow through the mixer, eliminating the need for any fans.

With the Qu-Pad iPad app in the Qu-16 setup the user is free to adjust the monitors on stage, roam around the venue while 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.

Qu-16 is fully compatible with the ME personal mixing system. Any number of ME-1 personal mixers can be chained from the dSNAKE port (or from an AR2412 Stagebox if one is connected to the dSNAKE port). Each performer can be given tailored control over their own mix, leaving the engineer free to focus on the audience experience.

Qu-16 is a self-contained mixer, so if the user has the analog cables they are good to go. dSNAKE is Allen & Heath's proprietary networking solution, boasting a transport latency of only 105us over cable runs of up to 120m / 390'. So if the user is mixing front-of-house, they can place their I/O on the stage and run a single Cat5 cable back to the Qu-16 in the mix position.