Allen & Heath Qu-16C – Rackmountable Digital Mixer, Chrome Edition

Product Overview

The Allen & Heath Qu-16C is the Chrome Edition of the Qu-16 rackmountable digital mixer, delivering 16 channels of professional digital mixing for live sound reinforcement, installed AV systems, and studio recording. Distinguished by high-contrast chrome rotary and fader knobs that improve control visibility in low-light environments, and updated with Firmware V1.9, the Qu-16C features 16 AnaLOGIQ microphone preamps with total recall, 17 motorized 100mm ALPS faders, a 5-inch 800x480 touchscreen, four iLive-derived stereo FX engines, 18-track onboard USB multitrack recording via Qu-Drive, and full 48 kHz/24-bit USB audio streaming to a connected computer. As a self-contained digital mixing console with scene recall, dSNAKE remote I/O expansion, and iPad wireless control via Qu-Pad, the Qu-16C serves conference rooms, houses of worship, theater installations, and studio tracking sessions from a single platform.

Product Description

The Qu-16C's 16 AnaLOGIQ preamps employ zero-crossing detection and a 1 dB/step gain stage (from -5 dB to +60 dB) aligned to the DSP for precise gain accuracy and minimal distortion. Analog dynamic range is 112 dB, frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.5 dB, and THD+N is 0.0005% at unity gain—performance specifications that match or exceed dedicated outboard preamp units. The chrome knob and fader finish on the Qu-16C improves control legibility in dark performance environments, a practical enhancement for theatrical and worship applications where lighting conditions vary.

Processing on every input channel includes 4-band parametric EQ (bell and shelf selectable on HF and LF bands), gate, compressor, HPF (20 Hz to 2 kHz, 12 dB/octave), polarity switch, and up to 85 ms of audio delay. Main LR and mono mixes include 28-band 1/3-octave graphic EQ, compressor, and delay. Metering spans -48 to -3 dBFS with a calibration of 0 dB = -18 dBFS (+4 dBu at XLR output). A 31-band 1/3-octave real-time analyzer (RTA) is available on all inputs and mixes.

Output connectivity includes 4 XLR mono mix outputs, 6 XLR stereo-pair mix outputs, 2 XLR main stereo outputs, 2 TRS mix outputs, and 2 TRS aux outputs, plus a single XLR AES3 digital output. An etherCON dSNAKE port expands the system to Allen & Heath AR stage boxes or ME-1 personal mixers. Qu-Drive records up to 18 channels of 48 kHz/24-bit audio directly to a USB hard drive, and the USB-B 2.0 port streams multi-track audio to a connected computer for DAW recording without additional hardware.

Key Features

• Chrome Knobs and Faders — High-contrast chrome finish improves visibility in dark live performance and theater environments
• 16 AnaLOGIQ Recallable Preamps — 1 dB/step gain from -5 to +60 dB; 112 dB dynamic range; THD+N 0.0005% at unity gain
• 17 Motorized 100mm ALPS Faders — Flying faders with per-mix instant recall for fast monitor mix transitions
• 5" 800x480 Touchscreen — Full access to all processing, routing, FX, and scene parameters from the console surface
• 4 iLive-Derived Stereo FX Engines — Reverbs (standard and gated), delays, ADT, chorus, phaser, and flanger with dedicated return channels
• 28-Band 1/3-Octave GEQ on Main Mixes — ±12 dB graphic EQ on LR and mono output buses
• 31-Band RTA — Real-time analyzer on inputs and mixes for acoustic measurement and room correction
• Qu-Drive 18-Track USB Recording — Multitrack 48 kHz/24-bit recording and playback directly to/from USB hard drive
• USB-B 2.0 Audio Streaming — Class-compliant USB audio interface; multi-track to DAW on Mac or Windows
• dSNAKE Port for Remote I/O and ME-1 — Connects to AR stage boxes or ME personal mixers via single Cat 5e
• Qu-Pad iPad App — Wi-Fi remote mixing from anywhere in the venue
• 100-Scene Total Recall — Scene safe and recall filters for protecting individual channels from snapshot changes
• Firmware V1.9 — Includes pro factory mic presets (co-developed with Shure, Sennheiser, Audio-Technica), Windows DAW Control, DAW templates

Typical Applications

• Conference rooms and commercial AV installations requiring digital scene recall mixing
• Houses of worship with volunteer operators benefiting from scene-based operation and iPad control
• Theater productions using motorized faders for mix automation and fast cue changes
• Live sound reinforcement for clubs, corporate events, and mid-size venues
• Studio tracking sessions using the 18-track Qu-Drive USB recorder or multi-track DAW streaming

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Qu-16 and the Qu-16C (Chrome Edition)?

The Qu-16C adds high-contrast chrome rotary and fader knobs for improved visibility in dark environments and ships with updated firmware (V1.9) that includes pro factory mic presets, a Windows DAW Control app, and DAW templates. The underlying hardware and audio specifications are identical.

Can the Qu-16C be rack mounted?

Yes. The Qu-16C can be used as a desktop console or mounted in a standard 19-inch rack using the included or optional rack ears. Rack-mounted dimensions are 19 x 19.1 x 7.5".

How does the Qu-Drive multitrack recorder work?

Qu-Drive records up to 18 channels of 48 kHz/24-bit WAV audio directly to a connected USB hard drive—no computer required. Up to 16 mono channels plus a selectable stereo pair can be recorded simultaneously. Recorded files can be played back to the mixer from the same drive.

Is a driver required for USB audio streaming to a DAW?

No driver is required on macOS. The Qu-16C is Core Audio class-compliant and appears automatically in Logic, Cubase, Reaper, Pro Tools, and other Core Audio-compatible DAWs. A Windows ASIO driver is available for Windows DAW use.

What is a Scene Safe channel?

A Scene Safe setting prevents a specific channel's parameters from being overwritten when a new scene is recalled. This is useful when a channel's settings need to be preserved (for example, a last-minute input addition) while recalling scenes that were programmed before that change.

Does the Qu-16C work with ME-1 personal mixers?

Yes. ME-1 personal mixers connect via the dSNAKE port using a single Cat 5e cable. Any number of ME-1 units can be chained from the dSNAKE port, with each performer controlling their own monitor mix.

What is included with Firmware V1.9?

Firmware V1.9 includes pro factory mic presets developed with Shure, Sennheiser, and Audio-Technica; a Windows DAW Control application; and DAW templates for Cubase, Logic X, and Pro Tools. The Qu-Pad iPad app is also updated with new functionality.