Allen & Heath CQ-18T Empowers Texas A&M's MSC Town Hall

	MSC Town Hall members pose with their new CQ-18T

MSC Town Hall, the vibrant student-run concert programming committee at Texas A&M University, has embraced the Allen & Heath CQ-18T digital mixer as its main audio solution.

Producing 10-15 shows each semester, MSC Town Hall manages everything from intimate coffee house performances to large-scale concerts featuring nationally recognized artists and local rising stars. What truly sets them apart is their unwavering commitment to student involvement, with every aspect of production, including sound engineering, handled by passionate students.

Travis Whitaker, an executive in a Town Hall subcommittee, embodies this dedication. With a background in high school theatre tech, Whitaker was immediately drawn to the CQ-18T's intuitive design and advanced capabilities. He was particularly impressed by its user-friendly interface, which allowed him to seamlessly navigate the mixer and run a successful concert on his very first attempt. "The first time that I touched it was immediately before a sound check," he recalls. "I ended up just using the quick start mode with Quick Channel presets. I was able to run a full sound check and we put on a concert and everything sounded great." After familiarizing himself with the console for a few hours, he took the time to access the CQ's Complete channels, with full processing like parametric EQ, gates, and compressors.

"The CQ-18T is a powerful little thing," Whitaker remarks. "I was curious when I first saw it, wondering how much it could really do. Once I started exploring the system, I was truly amazed by its capabilities." Whitaker also appreciated the CQ's built-in reverbs with FX Assist, which monitor incoming signals and make automatic changes to ensure the mix does not get overpowered. "The reverb was definitely easier to work with compared to other boards I've worked on."

The CQ-18T's integrated features, such as the automatic feedback assistant and comprehensive effects library, have not only streamlined Whitaker's workflow but also simplified the training process for new student engineers, the company says. He emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning, encouraging students to trust their ears and develop a deep understanding of how adjustments impact the overall audio experience.

MSC Town Hall's unwavering commitment to fostering student growth within the music and entertainment industry, coupled with their dedication to showcasing both established and emerging talent, makes them a vital force in the Texas music scene. "The scale of what we can do fluctuates with funding and shifts in the industry itself," says Jillian Weeks, vice chair of MSC Town Hall. "For the near future, we've really focused on platforming the up and coming local bands in Texas and surrounding states. I definitely see us growing as we continue to explore what we can bring to campus."

Allen & Heath CQ Series: www.allen-heath.com/hardware/cq/

MSC Town Hall Official Website: townhall.tamu.edu/