Allen & Heath QU-5 32-Channel Digital Mixer w/ Dante, 16 Preams, 12 Line Out, 16+1 Fader

Allen & Heath’s legendary digital mixer is reborn, supercharged with a 96kHz XCVI core for DEEP Processing capabilities, increased channel count with fully flexible patching across 4 customisable layers, a completely redesigned user interface, significant hardware upgrades, plus extended connectivity and optional Dante.

All New Hardware.
The new Qu retains the much-loved appearance and form factor of the original Qu series, but with multiple hardware improvements to elevate the sonic performance and mixing experience.

Audio
Updated microphone preamps and high-performance 96kHz AD/DA converters combine to deliver pristine audio to and from the XCVI core, preserving every detail of the source.

Control
Every channel now features a channel display – showing channel name, channel type, or socket number – and a chromatic channel meter for at-a-glance level information, and the new touchscreen accommodates a completely redesigned user interface.

Dante Enabled
The Qu-5D provides a 16×16 Dante interface at 96kHz or 48kHz for integration into larger systems or installs.

Reliable Recording and Playback. Anywhere.
Every Qu model is packed with versatile recording and playback options, with an integrated 32×32 USB-C audio interface, 32-channel multitrack support via SD card, and simple stereo recording and playback through the USB-A port, whatever your application.

Updated Workflow
The original Qu series was well loved for its ease and speed of use, making it the perfect mixer for engineers coming from the analogue world. The new Qu takes this further, maintaining a focus on “walk up and mix” usability while adding 4 fully customisable layers, more assignable SoftKeys for workflow optimisation, and flexible routing options in addition to the classic 1:1 Qu routing, all accessible via a newly developed, fast and responsive, user interface.

Everything I/O Compatible
Thanks to its SLink port, Qu can be connected to the Everything I/O family of rack and stage box expanders making it a flexible, mix ‘n’ match solution for owners of other Allen & Heath digital systems. It can even be connected directly to other Allen & Heath consoles with up to 128×128 channels of 96kHz audio available for patching.

DEEP Processing. Assistive Tools.
Qu is now DEEP Processing ready, bringing acclaimed add-ons from our flagship dLive system to the Qu platform for the first time. In addition, Qu now features the Feedback and Gain Assistants from the CQ series to take the stress out of setup and speed up your soundchecks.

Faster Setups
Adjusting the gain for each channel might not be the most thrilling task, and it can take up a lot of your setup time when you have multiple channels to manage.

Qu’s Gain Assistant streamlines this process by quickly and precisely setting the ideal gain level for one or more input channels, while continuously monitoring levels during the performance to avoid any unwanted peaks or surprises.

Say Goodbye to Feedback
Qu’s easy to use Feedback Assistant automatically identifies and removes problematic frequencies with up to 16 filters per output, allowing you to mix with confidence and put feedback worries behind you.

Take Your Mix to the Next Level
Proven on countless world-tours with international artists, DEEP Processing and RackExtra FX from our award-winning dLive digital mixing system are now available within your Qu.

Automatic Mic Mixer
Qu’s 32 channel Automatic Mic Mixer (AMM) makes it the perfect choice for mixing conferences, panel talks, and TV shows. It’s fully integrated in the mixer, with no extra latency, so you don’t need to route the audio to an internal DSP rack or external plugin system.

Processing & FX

• 96kHz XCVI Core
• 6 Multi-FX Engines with dedicated Stereo Returns
• DEEP Processing Ready

Mix Architecture

• 38x Inputs to Mix: 32x Mono/Linkable, 3x Stereo
• 12x Mixes: 6x Mono/Linkable Aux/Group, 6x Stereo Aux/Group
• 4x Matrix: Mono/Linkable
• Stereo Main LR Output

I/O

• Mic/Line Inputs: 16x XLR/Jack “Combi” sockets
• Stereo Line Inputs: 2x (each 2x TRS)
• Outputs: 12x XLR, 2x TRS, 1x AES3 Stereo Digital Output
• Talkback: 1x XLR Socket

Expansion / Networking:

• 128×128 Intelligent SLink Port for Everything I/O expansion & system connections
• 16×16 48/96 kHz Dante interface with dedicated locking EtherCon port (Qu-5D only)
• Headphones: Stereo Headphone Output

Control

• 7” Capacitive Touchscreen
• 17x 100mm Motorised Faders
• 4x Channel Strip Layers
• Remote control via free apps – Windows/MacOS/iOS/Android
• 8x SoftKeys
• Configurable Single/Dual Footswitch Connection

Recording & Playback

• USB-A: Stereo audio record/playback & data transfer
• USB-C: 32×32 Audio interface for multichannel record/playback
• SD Card Slot: Multichannel recording/playback (16×16 @ 96kHz, 32×32 @ 48kHz)

Miscellaneous

• 19” Rack Mountable (optional kit available for Qu-5 & Qu-5D only)
• 12V Lamp Socket
• Configurable Chromatic Channel Meter LEDs

Core & Processing

• 96kHz XCVI FPGA core, variable bit-depth up to 96-bit
• System latency <0.7ms
• Input processing: Trim, HPF, Gate, Parametric EQ, Compressor, Channel Delay
• Mix processing: Graphic EQ, PEQ, Compressor, Channel Delay
• DEEP Automatic Mic Mixer (32 channels, zero latency)
• 6x Multi-FX engines with dedicated returns

Inputs

• 38 total inputs to mix (32x mono/linkable, 3x stereo)
• 16x XLR/Jack combi mic/line inputs
• 2x stereo TRS line inputs
• 1x XLR talkback input
• Input sensitivity: -60 to +0dBu
• Preamp gain: 0–60dB, 1dB steps
• Max input: +16dBu (mic) / +30dBu (TRS pad)
• Phantom power: +48V

Outputs

• 12x XLR outputs
• 2x TRS outputs
• 1x AES3 stereo digital output (XLR)
• Stereo main LR output
• 4x mono/linkable matrix mixes
• 12x mixes (6x mono/linkable aux/group, 6x stereo aux/group)
• 4x FX sends
• Nominal output: +4dBu, max +22dBu

Digital I/O & Expansion

• SLink port (128x128 channels, supports A&H protocols: dSnake, DX, GigaACE)
• Dante (Qu-5D only): 16x16 channels at 48/96kHz
• USB-A (stereo record/playback, data)
• USB-C (32x32 multichannel interface, 48/96kHz, 16/24-bit)
• SD card (16 channels @96kHz, 32 channels @48kHz)

Control & Interface

• 7” capacitive touchscreen (800x480, 24-bit RGB)
• 17x 100mm motorised faders (4 layers)
• 8x user-assignable SoftKeys
• 8x mute groups, 8x DCA groups
• Configurable channel metering LEDs
• MIDI over USB-C and TCP/IP
• DAW control emulation
• Remote control apps (Windows/Mac/iOS/Android)
• Footswitch input (single/dual)

Audio Tools

• 31/61-band Real Time Analyser
• Feedback Assistant (8 detectors, 16 filters per mix)
• Gain Assistant
• Signal generator (sine, white/pink/band-pass noise)
• Talkback assignable to any mix
• PAFL monitoring (PFL/AFL, trim, delay up to 682ms)

Performance

• Dynamic range: 110dB
• Frequency response: +0/-0.5dB, 20Hz–20kHz
• THD+N (Mic/Line to L/R): 0.005% (-87dB)
• Headroom: +18dB
• Meter calibration: 0dB = -18dBFS (+4dBu at XLR)

Power & Build

• Built-in PSU, 100–240V AC, 50/60Hz
• Max consumption: Qu-5 70W, Qu-5D 75W
• Operating temperature: 0–40°C
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 440 x 476 x 213 mm
• Weight: 25lbs