Allen & Heath SQ-5 48-Channel / 36-Bus Digital Mixer with 16+1 Motorized Faders

Allen & Heath SQ-5 – 48-Channel 36-Bus Digital Mixer with 17 Motorized Faders

The Allen & Heath SQ-5 is a 48-channel, 36-bus digital mixing console built around the XCVI 96 kHz FPGA processing engine, delivering professional-grade audio with under 0.7 ms of latency in a compact surface format. With 16 local XLR mic preamp inputs, 16+1 motorized faders, a 7-inch color touchscreen, and eight stereo FX engines, the SQ-5 addresses the full range of live sound, corporate AV, recording, and installed system applications within a physically manageable footprint. An onboard SQ-Drive recorder, 32x32 USB streaming, and optional Dante or Waves card expansion extend the platform well beyond the basic analog mixing scenario.

Product Description

The XCVI Core FPGA engine at the heart of the SQ-5 processes all 48 input channels with independent gates, compressors, 4-band parametric EQs, and delays — all without adding processing-dependent latency. Variable bit depth maintains noise performance at high channel and mix counts, while mix coherency is guaranteed down to the sample. The 96 kHz operating rate preserves the full audible spectrum and headroom demanded by modern production.

The 16 local XLR mic/line inputs accept balanced signals from -60 dBu to +18 dBu with individually switchable 48V phantom power. The SLink etherCON port expands I/O to 64x64 channels by connecting to Allen & Heath AR, DX, or GX expanders using dSNAKE, DX, or gigaACE protocol. An option card slot accommodates third-party Dante or Waves cards for integration into existing networked audio or processing ecosystems.

The 7-inch capacitive touchscreen is surrounded by illuminated encoders with clear visual feedback, and the SQ-5 allows drag-and-drop channel assignment with custom naming and color coding on the 16 backlit LCD strip displays. Eight assignable SoftKeys can be mapped to any function, allowing the surface to be customized for specific operator workflows or venue requirements. Automatic Mic Mixing (AMM) provides transparent gain management for multi-microphone conference and panel talk scenarios, making the SQ-5 a practical choice for corporate AV and government spaces alongside traditional live sound applications.

SQ-Drive records stereo or multitrack audio directly to a USB flash drive via the Type-A port, and a USB Type-B port handles 32x32 channel streaming to a Mac or Windows DAW. The ME personal mixing system connects via any compatible SLink expander, distributing performer-controlled monitor mixes without a separate distribution amplifier. Up to 300 scene memories per show store complete mix states including all processing, routing, and preamp parameters.

Key Features

• XCVI 96 kHz FPGA Engine — Ultra-low <0.7 ms latency, variable bit depth, and mix coherency to the sample across 48 channels and 36 buses
• 48 Input Channels / 36 Buses — 16 local XLR inputs plus SLink for up to 64x64 total I/O; 12 stereo mix buses configurable as aux or group
• 16+1 Motorized 100 mm Faders — 6 fader layers for 96 assignable channel strips; motorized for sends on faders, GEQ fader flip, and scene recall
• 8 Stereo FX Engines — RackFX suite including delay, reverb, chorus, flanger, and phaser with dedicated return channels; DEEP processing for boutique compressor and preamp emulations
• 7-Inch Color Touchscreen — Drag-and-drop channel assignment, custom color coding, and full access to processing and routing without menu layers
• SQ-Drive Recording — Stereo and multitrack recording directly to USB flash drive; 32x32 USB streaming to DAW for virtual soundcheck
• Automatic Mic Mixing (AMM) — Transparent multi-microphone gain management for conference, panel, and boardroom applications
• Option Card Slot — Accepts Dante or Waves expansion cards for integration with third-party networked audio and processing ecosystems

Typical Applications

• House of worship main FOH and monitor console
• Auditorium and performing arts center live sound reinforcement
• Conference room and boardroom multi-microphone mixing with AMM
• Government space and all-hands room installed audio system
• Broadcast studio live multitrack recording
• Training room and corporate AV with scene recall for recurring events

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

How many total input channels can the SQ-5 handle?

The SQ-5 processes 48 input channels. Locally it provides 16 XLR mic/line inputs plus two stereo TRS inputs and one 3.5 mm stereo input. The SLink etherCON port connects to dSNAKE, DX, or gigaACE expanders for up to 64x64 total I/O, filling all 48 processing channels with remote sources.

What is DEEP processing on the SQ-5?

DEEP processing allows boutique compressor and preamp emulations — licensed from manufacturers including Neve, API, and dbx — to be embedded directly in the SQ-5's input and mix channels. DEEP plug-ins operate without adding system latency or requiring external hardware.

Does the SQ-5 support Dante networking?

Not natively. An optional Dante expansion card installs in the SQ-5's I/O expansion slot and enables Dante audio networking. The Waves SoundGrid card is also available for integration with Waves processing systems.

Can the SQ-5 be used for conference room or boardroom applications?

Yes. The SQ-5's Automatic Mic Mixing (AMM) function manages gain for multiple open microphones in conference and panel talk settings, reducing noise gain and simplifying operator management. Scene recall allows the system to be reconfigured quickly for different meeting formats.

How does SQ-Drive recording work?

SQ-Drive uses the USB Type-A port to record stereo or multitrack audio directly to a USB flash drive. It can also play back multitrack files for virtual soundcheck. No computer is required for recording. The USB Type-B port handles 32x32 channel streaming to a DAW when a computer is connected.

What is the SoftKey function on the SQ-5?

The SQ-5 has 8 assignable SoftKeys that can be mapped to virtually any mixer function — mute groups, scene recall, tap tempo, GEQ toggle, and more. SoftKeys allow operators to access frequently used functions from the surface without navigating the touchscreen.

Is the SQ-5 compatible with the ME personal monitoring system?

Yes. Any Allen & Heath ME-1 or ME-500 personal mixer can connect via the SLink port on the SQ-5 or from a connected SLink expander, allowing performers to manage their own monitor mixes without engineer intervention.