Allen & Heath QU16 review
I recently got my hands on a Allen & Heath Qu 16 to use for a festival event. These are well known digital consoles from Allen and Heath and they are extremely popular. After using one I can see why they are popular. They are very intuitive to use whether coming from an analogue background or you are already familiar with digital consoles.
The first thing you notice is that they are a well-built unit and they are laid out in a logical manner. All of the channel parameters such as HPF, preamp, EQ are easy to hand. It is just a matter of selecting the channel and making adjustments.
The screen is all a touch screen and therefore you can access a whole range of parameters from here as well. Here you can set up the console in the way that you require. You have access to all of the parameters for all of the desks function. There is a rotary encoder below the screen to adjust parameters or you can use the screen or iPad. Also below the screen there is a function key to select certain functions, copy and paste keys and a reset key. Down the right side of the screen is buttons to access processing, routing, FX, Scenes, Set up and a Home key. These keys work in conjunction with what input or output you have selected to work on.
You have 2 fader layers and a custom layer. The 1st layer is all of the input channels, the 2nd is the stereos, effects etc. and the custom layer is for you to set how you like.
All of the functions are easily accessible on this range of desks. One button press and you are adjusting monitor sends, another you are looking after FX. This desk may have some limitations, but what you can do with it at this price point is amazing.
AnalogiQTM Preamps
Allen & Heath Qu-16’s sixteen AnalogiQTM total recall preamps feature zero crossing detection and an advanced padless 1dB step gain stage, closely allied to the DSP for optimal gain accuracy and audio transparency. The analogue signal is captured by high class, low latency 24bit analogue to digital converters matched to high quality 24bit digital to analogue converters to deliver the required outputs. The AnalogiQTM design has been refined over many months to offer superb transparency, minimal distortion and an ultra-low noise floor, with a warm, musical sound that is missing from some digital consoles.
The Mixing Experience
Having massive processing power and advanced functionality is great, but it counts for nothing if you Qu-16 Digital Mixercan’t access the controls you need in a heartbeat. Once you start using Allen & Heath Qu-16 you’ll sense the years of research into ergonomics and the hands-on mixing experience that our team has drawn upon to deliver a wonderfully natural layout and workflow. It’s not about recreating an analogue interface, it’s about creating an experience that’s fluid, comfortable and intuitive for novices, digital natives and old school road warriors alike, making all the benefits of digital mixing technology readily accessible to all.
Touch Control
The 800 x 480, sixteen million color Touchscreen and its dedicated data encoder form the heart of the Allen & Heath Qu-16 interface, providing super-fast, easy access to all settings. The user-friendly interface has been designed with clarity in mind. Dedicated keys and screen tabs quickly guide you to meter and RTA views, FX racks, channel processing, USB audio control, scenes, setup menus and much more.
All your key processing tools are presented in a clean layout on the SuperStrip, with 1 function per physical control. The SuperStrip is complemented by an onscreen Touch Channel for intuitive access to full processing parameters without clutter or complex menu structures. Processing for Mono and Stereo inputs includes trim, polarity, HPF, gate, insert, 4 band PEQ, compressor and delay. The main LR and the Mono mixes have controls for Insert, 1/3 octave GEQ, compressor and delay. The Stereo mixes provide Insert, 4-band PEQ, compressor, delay and balance control.
Fader Automation
Moving faders started as an expensive option in the studio desks of the 80s, and later became the norm with the advent of digital technology. Nevertheless some entry-level digital mixers lack this precious commodity which is a fundamental part of the Total Recall approach. Fader automation is essential for rapid mixing, especially when you’re dealing with multiple monitor mixes – just press a mix key and the faders immediately fly to the send levels for that mix. Qu-16 features 17 motorized ALPS faders, 16 arranged over 2 layers, allowing instant access to all channels and masters in a compact space, plus a dedicated master fader which dynamically follows the mix selection. A third, Custom layer is available for ad-hoc user strip layout, where any combination of Inputs, FX Sends, FX Returns and Mix masters can be assigned.
True digital mixing is about being able to save and recall scenes (snapshots) at the Allen & Heath QU-16 Digital Mixere press of a button. Qu-16 can store up to 100 full Scenes for recall at will. Channels and mixes can be made Safe from Scene recall. For example, if an instrument or mic gets swapped out after the soundcheck, the channel can be made safe to avoid settings being overridden by Scene recalls. Or if a broadcast feed or walk-in iPod is added last-minute before the show kicks off, that mix or channel can be made safe from any scene change. In addition, single parameter updates can be blocked using per scene Recall Filters or a Global Recall Filter. So if you tweak the graphic EQ to reflect the room response when the audience gets in, you can block this to prevent any overwriting at scene change. Custom settings for each EQ, compressor, channel or FX can be saved as Library presets. This lets you store your tried and tested EQ setting for your favourite vocal mic or reverb pattern and apply it to other channels or shows. Libraries, Scenes and the complete Show configuration can be saved to a USB key, so you can carry the show with you, ready to use on another Qu-16.
USB Audio Streaming
Allen & Heath Qu-16 USB Allen & Heath Qu-16’s built-in interface streams multitrack audio to your Mac channel 1 to 16, the Main LR mix and 3 selectable stereo pairs.
The returns from the Mac can be assigned to the 16 Mono channels plus stereos.
The interface is class-compliant on Mac OS X – which means it’s truly plug ‘n play, with no need to install a driver. It will be recognized straightaway by any DAW supporting Core Audio, including Logic, Cubase, Reaper, and Pro Tools.
Standard MIDI control is tunnelled over the USB connection so you can easily map the faders to the tracks of your favourite DAW. Alternatively, a MIDI driver is available for use with the Ethernet port.
Qu-Drive
Forget soundcard drivers and software setup, Allen & Heath Qu-16 has an integrated multitrack USB recorder, providing 18 channels of 48kHz 24bit recording and playback straight to / from your USB hard drive. Capturing multitrack recordings of your shows has never been so easy. A selectable stereo pair can be recorded alongside the 16 Mono channels, and multitrack audio can be played back to the 16 Mono channels plus ST1. On top of this, Qu-Drive also provides stereo recording, patchable from any pair of Mix outputs, the Main LR (pre, post, or summed to mono) or even the PAFL bus, with 2- track stereo playback to ST3.
ARMed to the Hilt
Qu-16 is equipped with 5 cores of high efficiency ARM core processing, with dedicated ARM cores running the touchscreen display and surface, USB streaming, Qu-Drive multi-channel USB recording / playback, Ethernet and fader automation. Between them the ARM cores provide state-of-the-art processing, working in parallel to deliver extensive control, instant-on operation, and lightning-fast response. The mixer’s DSP farm exploits next generation dual core DSPs, giving 10 DSP cores, with 8 dedicated to the channel and mix processing alone. With so much DSP power under the hood the channel processing is only using a fraction of capacity, so A-H Qu-16 is future-proofed, with ample room for updates and extra functionality. The Allen & Heath Qu-16 DSP architecture employs varied bit depths, tailored to specific algorithms, with 48 bits on critical EQ functions and a 56 bit accumulator on the mix bus where it really counts, allowing every nuance of the audio to be captured in the final mix.
The Shape of Things to Come
Made from 18 gauge, cold-rolled Zintec steel, Qu-16’s distinctive frame is designed for strength, rigidity and ease of rack mounting. We’ve done unspeakable things to that chassis in the lab and it’s taken everything we’ve thrown at it – even being stomped on by our resident ex-tank commander.
Qu-16 Rackmountable Digital Mixer
Silence is a precious commodity in the live or studio environment, which is why nobody wants those moments of stillness ruined by the whirring of fans coming from the mix position. Qu-16’s sleek profile generates optimal airflow through the mixer, eliminating the need for any fans.
The shape has some unexpected benefits too. When we started taking Qu-16 out to gigs we soon found the space beneath it incredibly useful for keeping our USB drive, talkback mic, cue sheet and other clutter tucked out of the way. We’ve even had engineers hanging the mixer from a handy scaffold bar and mixing vertically.
Qu-Pad
Add the Qu-Pad iPad app to your Qu-16 setup and you’re free to adjust the monitors on stage, roam around the venue whilst tweaking the PA, and then mix the show from the heart of the audience. Qu-Pad connects to the mixer over Wi-Fi* and gives instant access to all live mixing parameters and settings. Qu-Pad requires the connection of a Wi-Fi router or access point to the Qu-16 Network port.
iLive FX
Qu-16’s dynamics and FX algorithms are derived from the FX used in our iLive pro touring series. Some of the world’s most respected audio engineers have chosen to use iLive’s FX on tour in preference to top-end plug-ins and external FX units. Qu-16 boasts 4 stereo iLive FX engines, featuring lovingly crafted emulations of legendary classic reverbs, gated reverbs, delays, modulators, flangers and more. The FX library has the ability to grow with future firmware releases. FX are returned to the mix on dedicated return channels, so you’re not tying up your mono and stereo input channels. Each Stereo FX Return has a dedicated 4 band PEQ.
With the Allen & Heath Qu 16 you have 4 user assignable softkeys, very useful for setting up favourite shortcuts.
The iPad app makes it even more versatile. First of it makes a bigger touch screen, great for those with bigger fingers and poor eyesight. The app proves very useful, if you cannot position the desk in your ideal mixing position.
In use I found this desk very easy to navigate. In fact for a first time user it would be a great starting point. The intuitive layout is a dream. From plugging in mics etc to getting a decent sound happening does not take very long. I was blown away on how easy it was to use and set up. For a lot of smaller bands or venues this would be an ideal desk, especially if you are moving from the analogue world. This desk will do a lot for its price point. It sounds great in use and you have a lot of power in a small footprint that you can cart around without a whole crew.
With the latest Chrome software update you get a major update, with automatic mic mixing for those corporate gigs we get from time to time. Also extra aux outputs – as we all know we need extra from time to time.
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