Allen & Heath AH-QU-SB Qu-SB Portable 18-In/14-Out Digital Mixer

Product Overview

The Allen & Heath AH-QU-SB Qu-SB is a rack-mountable 18-in/14-out digital mixer that operates without a physical control surface, designed for installations and productions where all mixing is performed remotely via iPad, PC, or Mac. Featuring 16 recallable AnalogiQ mic preamps, a 32x32 USB recording interface, four built-in FX engines, and full dSNAKE digital connectivity for up to 38 inputs, the Qu-SB is built around Allen & Heath's proven Qu platform architecture in a form factor optimized for permanent rack installation. It is a well-matched solution for conference rooms, houses of worship, all-hands spaces, and live sound applications where a dedicated mixing surface is impractical but professional audio quality and control flexibility are still required.

Product Description

The Qu-SB brings the full processing capability of the Allen & Heath Qu platform into a 4U rack chassis with no front-panel faders or physical controls. All mixing operations are performed through the Qu-Pad iPad app over a wireless network, or through Qu-You (for monitor mixing) or Qu-Control (for simplified operator use). This approach is well-suited to installations where the mixing position is remote from the rack, or where a compact equipment room houses the mixer alongside amplifiers and signal processing without a dedicated operator console.

Each of the 16 mic/line inputs features one of Allen & Heath's AnalogiQ recallable preamps, providing +60dB of gain range with full remote recall of all gain and phantom power settings. Channel processing includes a 4-band parametric EQ, high-pass filter, compressor with soft/hard knee, and noise gate on every input — the same processing depth available on the full Qu console range. Four dedicated FX engines handle reverb, delay, and modulation effects without consuming mix bus resources.

The dSNAKE port on the Qu-SB allows connection of an AB168 or AR2412 AudioRack stage box, extending the system to 38 inputs over a single Cat5 cable run to the stage. For conference rooms and all-hands spaces, this means microphone inputs can be located at the podium, table, or stage while the Qu-SB remains in the equipment room. The ME personal monitor mixing system connects via the same dSNAKE expander port for installations that include an IEM or headphone mix component.

The integrated 32x32 USB recording interface allows multitrack recording at 48kHz directly to a connected computer. 18 tracks of simultaneous multitrack recording are supported, along with stereo recording and playback at 44.1 or 48kHz. The Qu-SB also includes a real-time 31-band spectrum analyzer and a 28-band graphic EQ available on mix outputs, providing the measurement and optimization tools expected in a permanent installation context.

Key Features

• 16 Recallable AnalogiQ Mic Preamps — Full remote recall of gain and phantom power settings via Qu-Pad or PC/Mac software
• 18-In/14-Out Digital Mixing — 16 mic/line inputs, 2 stereo line inputs, 10 XLR mix outputs, 2 XLR main outputs
• 4 Built-In FX Engines — Reverb, delay, chorus, and modulation effects with 4 stereo returns available simultaneously
• 32x32 USB Recording Interface — Integrated multitrack recording and playback at 48kHz without external hardware
• iPad and PC/Mac Control — Full mixing via Qu-Pad app over wireless network; no physical control surface required
• dSNAKE Digital Snake Port — Connects AB168 or AR2412 AudioRack for up to 38 total inputs over a single Cat5 cable
• 4-Band Parametric EQ, Compressor and Gate on Every Input — Full per-channel processing including HPF and channel delay
• 28-Band Graphic EQ on Mix Outputs — Available on all mix and main outputs for speaker system tuning
• 31-Band Real-Time Analyzer — Built-in RTA for room measurement and feedback identification
• 4U Rack-Mount Form Factor — Installs in standard 19-inch equipment racks alongside amplifiers and signal processing

Typical Applications

• Conference rooms and all-hands spaces with rack-mounted audio infrastructure and remote iPad control
• House of worship with equipment room mixer and dSNAKE stage box at the platform
• Live sound production where a headless rack mixer is controlled from a wireless iPad position
• Commercial AV installations with recording requirements and no dedicated operator console
• Education facilities with remote control mixing for auditoriums and multi-purpose spaces
• Corporate AV system integration requiring a full-featured digital mixer in a compact rack footprint

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Qu-SB be operated without an iPad or computer?

No. The Qu-SB has no physical mixing controls and requires the Qu-Pad iPad app or Qu-You/Qu-Control apps for all control functions. A wireless access point must be connected to the Qu-SB's network port.

What wireless infrastructure is needed to control the Qu-SB with an iPad?

A standard Wi-Fi access point connected to the Qu-SB's RJ45 Ethernet port is required. The iPad running Qu-Pad connects to that access point wirelessly. The access point is not included with the Qu-SB.

Can the Qu-SB record multitrack audio simultaneously with live mixing?

Yes. The Qu-SB's 32x32 USB interface supports 18 tracks of simultaneous multitrack recording to a connected PC or Mac while continuing to mix live audio.

How many stage box inputs can be added via dSNAKE?

Connecting an AB168 or AR2412 AudioRack via the dSNAKE port extends the system to 38 total inputs. This is sufficient for most live event and installed sound applications.

Is the Qu-SB suitable for permanent conference room installation?

Yes. The 4U rack-mount form factor, recallable preamp settings, and scene recall functions make the Qu-SB a practical choice for conference room AV systems where audio settings need to be stored and recalled between different meeting configurations.

Can multiple iPads control the Qu-SB simultaneously?

Yes. Multiple devices can connect to the Qu-SB simultaneously, with configurable access levels to allow separate FOH and monitor mixing control from different positions.

What is the maximum cable distance for dSNAKE stage box connection?

The AB168 or AR2412 stage box can be placed up to 100 meters from the Qu-SB via Cat5e or Cat6 cable.