A&H SQ6 Digital Console - New

@Boswell, @Dvd
et Al
Hi Bos, Dave, hi gang
I saw this advertised in this month's issue of Pro Sound, and thought I would post a link to info on the new A&H digital console; Bos, I know you're a fan of A&H...
This seems to be a pretty remarkable deal for under $3500 ( (US)...
96k, 48 input channels, 36 Busses, 24 mic pres, 25 motorized faders, (presumably the 25th is for the Master Bus).
Anyway, just thought I'd post the link to the details in case anyone is interested.
http://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/sq-6
-d.

 

Edit...I just saw this actually came out last October, so it's not "new" new...
Here's a link to a review:
https://ask.audio/articles/allen-heath-releases-new-powerhouse-sq-series-digital-mixers

 

Yes, it looks a beast, especially at the price. I haven't managed to get my hands on one yet, but I have my fingers reaching out...

 

How many should I put you down for, Donny?

 

"48 input channels" is somewhat misleading. It's got 24 local XLR inputs, additional inputs are networked in from other digital snake / stagebox type devices. You can add input channels in increments of 8, 16, or 24. <insert cash register sound here>

But still, a lovely piece of gear. It appears it might be more intuitive than the last A-H digital I installed - which would be a VERY good thing. I'm not exactly a novice, and I swear it took me 30 minutes to figure out how to navigate all the menus and layers to send audio to a single powered monitor, on that thing.

And on that one, it was also advertised as a 48 input console, and it had something like 4 mic jacks on it. The other 44 all had to come from remote stagebox inputs. <insert cash register sound here>

 

It was about time A&H put out a digital mixer to compete with Yamaha and behringer/midas.
But it will have a long way to go before, it replaces the M7cl I see on every big show. Yamaha digital mixers aren't perfect, but they started production a long time ago.
Because of the price and proposition, I get the feeling they aimed at stage mixer and not studio. Althought USB 32ch will satisfy many...
What just bugged me is : ''24 exceptional onboard mic preamps'' and ''Automatic Mic Mixing'' . . . . Come on !!

 

The larger SQ6 model does indeed have 24 mic pre-amps, and if they are anything like those in the Zed-R16, "exceptional" is not an overstatement, at least in the realm of mixers.

A+H have also decided to extend their target market to include conference facilties by adding the software for automatic mixing (selecting the loudest microphone channel and ducking the others). Maybe the name of this mode of operation is misleading, but I have to say that one of the steady earners in my rental hardware cupboard over the last 10 years or so has been the Shure SCM810 auto-mixer, an 8-channel unit for conferencing, product launches and presentations.

 

But why couldn't you use this in a studio setting? 24 pres, Flying Faders, 48 ins, 32 busses, digital i-o (although I don't know the format...USB, TB, etc ?) along with on board DSP, and the ability to use it as a DAW mix controller, too?
I'm having a hard time believing that this couldn't be of benefit to a mid-level studio project facility...
A&H has always had a great rep with their mic pres and overall sonics.... Though that wouldn't stop the user from using different stand alone pres, too...
And for under $3500?
Ten years ago...maybe not even that long ago...you could have added a "1" to the left of the "3" in the price and it wouldn't have shocked anyone...
To be clear, I have NO idea how this console sounds...but if it's anything like any other A&H gear I've ever heard, well... I'm not seeing the downside. Unless I'm missing something... ?
-d.

 

Maybe I was unusually too compact in my last post. Yes, it's a studio and live sound mixer (with built-in recording of 32 channels at 96KHz to USB stick), but can in addition be considered for the lucrative fixed installation market of conferencing and presentation venues, and even church sound. Dave H may have more to say about these areas.

 

You said it, among the mixers

 

I am going this week to look at a sub-contract to do the sound part for an audio-video production company. They have two of the 32 channel models. Looks like fun.

 

This console IS beastly. I sold my Midas M32 to get one back in March. Midas pre amps definitely had a warmer sonic character but the fidelity/clarity of this SQ series is crystal clear. Unforgiving even. Definitely keeps me honest when it comes to room acoustics, mic placement and tuning.

 

Hi James
So, are you using the AH for Live/FOH or for recording? (Or both?)

 

Greetings Donny,

I'm using it for both project studio and FOH. I also run monitors from FOH since this console's routing is so accommodating. With how expensive gear is, I've had to put my purchase power into pieces I can use in both realms to earn my living. This thing really does blow the X32/M32 out of the water; Sound quality, routing, conversion and workflow! Since we're in a recording forum I'll focus more on its studio capabilities. I'm currently putting together a rack of outboard gear to use with this board. It's so transparent and clean which really leaves you with a sweet and blank canvas to record on to.