Allen & Heath SQ-7 48-Channel / 36-Bus Digital Mixer with 32+1 Motorized Faders

Allen & Heath SQ-7 – 48-Channel Digital Mixer with 32+1 Motorized Faders

The Allen & Heath SQ-7 is a 48-channel, 36-bus digital mixing console with 32+1 motorized faders, designed for live sound, corporate AV, houses of worship, broadcast studios, and recording environments. At the center of the SQ-7 is the 96kHz XCVI Core FPGA engine delivering under 0.7ms latency, 112dB dynamic range, and variable bit depth up to 96-bit for precise, low-noise audio reproduction. The SQ-7 is the largest console in the SQ range and is particularly well suited for larger venues requiring a high physical fader count alongside the SQ series' flexible I/O and networking options.

Product Description

The SQ-7 provides 32 local XLR mic/line inputs, 16 XLR balanced outputs, 2 TRS balanced outputs, and a dedicated AES3 output. Expansion connects via the SLink EtherCON port, which handles 64x64 channels using dSnake, DX, or gigaACE protocols — making the SQ-7 compatible with Allen & Heath stage boxes and DX expanders for additional remote I/O. An I/O option card slot accepts Dante, Waves SoundGrid, and other third-party protocol cards for networked AV integration. 32x32 USB audio streaming to Mac and Windows enables direct DAW integration for recording and playback sessions.

The motorized faders recall positions automatically during scene changes and when using the sends-on-faders and GEQ fader flip functions, reducing operator error during live events. The 7-inch capacitive touchscreen works alongside illuminated rotary encoders and dedicated physical controls for gain, HPF, gate, compressor, pan, and EQ parameters — giving engineers hands-on access to critical processing without menu navigation. The DEEP processing architecture embeds compressor and preamp emulations directly in input and mix channels at zero latency. Eight stereo FX engines with dedicated return channels draw from the RackExtra FX library. Fully integrated Automatic Mic Mixing (AMM) up to 48 channels supports conference and panel discussion applications. SQ-Drive provides stereo and 16-track multitrack recording directly to USB. The SQ-7 includes 8 mute groups, 8 DCA groups, 300 scene memories, and wireless remote control via iPad and Android using the SQ MixPad app.

Key Features

• 32+1 Motorized Faders, 6 Layers (192 Strips) — Motorized recall for scene changes, sends-on-faders, GEQ flip, and mix recall; 32 backlit LCD channel-strip displays for instant strip identification.
• 96kHz XCVI Core FPGA, Under 0.7ms Latency — 112dB dynamic range, up to 96-bit variable bit depth, and mix coherency down to the sample.
• 48 Input Channels, 36 Buses — 32 local XLR mic inputs plus stereo and 3.5mm aux inputs; 12 stereo mix outputs configurable as groups or auxes plus main LR.
• DEEP Processing Architecture — Boutique compressor and preamp emulations embedded per-channel at zero latency without consuming FX slots.
• 8 Stereo FX Engines — RackExtra FX library with dedicated return channels; 8 reverbs, delays, modulators, and specialty processors available simultaneously.
• SLink EtherCON Port — 64x64-channel remote I/O using dSnake, DX, or gigaACE protocols for stage box and DX expander connectivity.
• I/O Option Card Slot — Accepts Dante, Waves SoundGrid, and other third-party protocol cards for networked AV integration.
• SQ-Drive Multitrack Recording — 16-track multitrack and stereo recording and playback directly to USB; 32x32 USB audio streaming to Mac/Windows DAW.
• Fully Integrated AMM — Automatic Mic Mixing for conference, panel, and spoken-word applications with 31-band real-time analyzer.
• SQ MixPad Remote App — Wireless mixing from iPad and Android; DAW control via MIDI over USB or TCP/IP.

Typical Applications

• Auditorium and mid-to-large venue live sound reinforcement
• House of worship main sanctuary mixing
• Broadcast studio audio mixing and recording
• Corporate conference room and boardroom AV with AMM
• Government and commercial meeting space with multi-microphone audio
• Multi-purpose room and all-hands venue
• Training room recording and playback
• Recording studio tracking and mixing

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the SQ-7 differ from the SQ-6?

The SQ-7 has 32+1 motorized faders and 32 local XLR mic inputs, while the SQ-6 has 24+1 motorized faders and 24 local mic inputs. Both share the same 48-channel, 36-bus architecture and XCVI Core FPGA engine. The SQ-7 is suited to larger venues requiring more physical fader control without purchasing a second console.

Does the SQ-7 support Dante networking?

Yes. A Dante option card can be installed in the I/O card slot, integrating the SQ-7 with Dante-networked AV infrastructure. The SLink port also provides 64x64 channels via dSnake and gigaACE for stage box connectivity.

What is DEEP processing and does it add latency?

DEEP processing embeds compressor and preamp emulations directly within the mixer's input and mix channel processing path. It adds no additional system latency, consumes no FX slots, and requires no external plugins or licence management.

Can the SQ-7 record multitrack audio?

Yes. SQ-Drive records up to 16 tracks of 24-bit WAV audio directly to a USB flash drive via the USB-A port. Stereo recording and playback are also supported. Additionally, 32x32 USB streaming to a connected Mac or Windows computer supports DAW recording.

Is wireless control available?

Yes. The SQ MixPad app for iPad and Android provides wireless remote mixing over the network. DAW control via MIDI over USB or TCP/IP is also supported.

Is the SQ-7 compatible with Allen & Heath ME personal monitor mixers?

Yes. ME-1 and ME-500 personal mixers connect via the SLink port or a connected remote expander, allowing performers to manage their own monitor mixes independently.

What warranty applies to the SQ-7?

Allen & Heath products carry a standard manufacturer warranty when purchased through an authorised dealer. Contact Creation Networks for warranty details and support options for your installation.