QSC Core 8 Flex – Q-SYS Network + Analog AV&C Processor

Product Overview

The QSC Core 8 Flex is a compact Q-SYS audio, video, and control (AV&C) processor for commercial installations that need both networked and analog I/O in a rack-efficient form factor. It combines 64x64 Q-LAN/AES67 networked audio with eight software-definable Flex I/O channels and 16 GPIO, making it ideal for spaces that still rely on analog microphones, local sources, or contact-closure control alongside a modern networked AV infrastructure. With eight channels of onboard acoustic echo cancellation and native USB AV bridging, the Core 8 Flex is well suited to web-conference-enabled meeting rooms across corporate, higher education, and healthcare environments.

Product Description

The Core 8 Flex extends the Q-SYS Ecosystem into smaller-scale rooms while preserving the platform's software-driven design workflow. It delivers 64x64 networked audio channels over standard gigabit Ethernet, eight channels of acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) for clear conferencing, and software-based Dante starting at 8x8 and scaling to 32x32. Its eight Flex channels are user-configurable as analog audio inputs or outputs with phantom power (+12 VDC) on inputs, and eight GPIO outputs (open-collector, 24 V, 0.2 A max) plus eight GPIO inputs (0-24 V analog or contact closure) bring legacy devices and control signals into the system. Native USB integration bridges 8x8 audio and video with all major web-conferencing applications, with Q-SYS camera support, enabling full room UC deployment. Dual LAN A/B gigabit ports, two RS-232 COM ports, and a USB-C 3.1 host/device/DisplayPort connection round out the rear panel. Because the Core 8 Flex runs the same Q-SYS Designer Software used across the entire Core portfolio, design files and programming carry forward as a system grows, and optional Capacity Scaling Licenses expand processing power, network channel count, AEC channels, softphones, and NM Series microphone support. For network-only rooms, compare the QSC Core Nano.

Key Features

• 64x64 networked audio — Q-LAN/AES67 transport over standard gigabit Ethernet.
• Eight Flex I/O channels — Software-definable as analog inputs or outputs, with +12 VDC phantom power on inputs.
• Eight channels of AEC — Onboard acoustic echo cancellation for clear conferencing audio.
• Native USB AV bridging — 8x8 audio plus video integration and Q-SYS camera support for all major web-conferencing platforms.
• Software-based Dante — 8x8 included, expandable to 32x32 for interoperability with networked devices.
• 16 GPIO — Eight open-collector outputs and eight inputs for contact-closure and analog control integration.
• Dual LAN and RS-232 — LAN A/B gigabit ports and two RS-232 COM ports for resilient networking and device control.
• Q-SYS Designer platform — Shared design files and workflow across the Core portfolio, with optional Capacity Scaling Licenses.

Typical Applications

• Conference room — UC-enabled audio with eight-channel AEC and USB bridging.
• Boardroom — Networked and analog I/O for premium meeting spaces.
• Huddle room — Compact processing for smaller collaboration spaces.
• Training room — Program audio, microphones, and control from one processor.
• Commercial meeting space — Scalable AV&C across corporate and education facilities.

Technical Specifications

Specifications sourced from QSC. Refer to the official Core 8 Flex specification sheet for complete details.

Competitor Comparison

Competitor specifications are summarized at a feature level; verify current model details with each manufacturer before specifying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Core 8 Flex different from a network-only Core?
It adds eight software-definable Flex analog I/O channels and 16 GPIO, so analog microphones, local sources, and contact-closure devices integrate alongside networked AV.

Does it support web conferencing?
Yes. It provides eight channels of AEC and native USB AV bridging compatible with all major web-conferencing applications, with Q-SYS camera support.

Can it scale as my system grows?
Optional Q-SYS Capacity Scaling Licenses expand processing, network channels, AEC, softphones, and NM Series microphone capacity, and Q-SYS Designer files carry forward across the Core portfolio.

How does it fit into a larger Q-SYS design?
It runs the same Q-SYS Designer Software as every other Core, so it can be deployed as a room processor within a larger networked system.

What about warranty and support?
Refer to QSC warranty terms for coverage. For Q-SYS design and purchasing questions, contact Creation Networks support.