Allen & Heath QU-32C Set incl. Case

Allen & Heath QU-32 - Digital Mixing Reshaped!

In a new, fully equipped Chrome Edition, Qu-32 redefines digital mixing by combining innovative design with exceptional functionality for an outstanding, professional mixing experience. Equipped with all the features you’d expect from a top-tier digital console, along with the technology of the GLD and iLive digital mixing systems, the Qu-32 has the power and pedigree to deliver first-class audio performance.

Features of the Qu series include multitrack recording directly to USB, automatic mic mixing, ProFactory mic presets, and a growing ecosystem of apps, accessories, and remote I/O.

Whether you’re switching from an analog device or upgrading your digital desk, it’s time to experience the new digital device with Qu-32!

QU Ecosystem

Qu offers much more than a normal mixer. It has a complete ecosystem with remote audio racks that allow I/O to be placed wherever needed. ME Personal Mixers expand monitor mixes and give each performer control over their own mix, letting the engineer focus fully on the audience. Qu apps enable full remote setup and wireless mixing on stage or elsewhere, ProFactory mic presets speed up prep time and ensure the best sound, plus USB recording and DAW integration provide powerful workflow optimization from a central device.

Analog TM Preamps

The Qu-32 features 32 digitally controlled AnalogiQ TM preamps with advanced zero-crossing detection and a stepped 1dB gain control without paddles, tightly integrated with the DSP for optimal gain accuracy and audio transparency. The analog signal is captured by high-quality 24-bit ADCs with low latency and matched to 24-bit DACs to deliver the required high quality. The AnalogiQ TM preamp design has been refined to offer excellent transparency, minimal distortion, and extremely low noise floor with a warm, musical tone often missing in some digital consoles.

The Mixing Experience

Enormous processing power and advanced functionality mean nothing if you can’t instantly access the controls you need. The true-color touchscreen with 800 x 480 pixels and its associated rotary encoder form the heart of the Qu-32 interface, enabling super-fast access to all settings and parameters. Dedicated buttons and screen tabs quickly lead you to meter and RTA views, FX racks, channel editing, USB audio control, scenes, setup menus, and more. The touchscreen is complemented by the SuperStrip – a row of single-function controls for instant access to gain, HPF, 4-band PEQ, gate, compressor, GEQ, and pan. The screen overview also follows the control currently being adjusted.

One Channel – One Fader

The Qu-32 has one fader per mono input channel and a few fader layers for a simpler, faster workflow. Some digital mixers don’t offer individual faders for physical inputs, meaning you must access additional fader layers to control those channels. This can be confusing and time-consuming. Since each mic input has its own fader for quick and easy control, the Qu-32 is the perfect mixer for first-time analog-to-digital conversions and for those who prefer not to work with multiple faders.

Digital Memory

True digital mixing means being able to save and recall scenes or snapshots at the push of a button. The Qu can store up to 100 complete scenes for recall to protect channels or mixes from overwriting. The Qu-32 also features 33 motorized ALPS faders, 32 of which provide instant access to all input channels and master over 2 layers; the last is the dedicated master fader and dynamically follows the mix selection. A third user-customizable layer is available for ad-hoc strip layout, to which any combination of inputs, FX sends, FX returns, DCAs, and mix masters can be assigned.

Rack FX

The dynamics and FX algorithms of the Qu-32 are derived from those used in Allen & Heath’s pro touring consoles. Some of the world’s most respected sound engineers have chosen to use RackFX on their tours instead of top-end plug-ins and external FX units. The Qu-32 offers 4 stereo RackFX engines with lovingly crafted emulations, from legendary classic reverbs, gated reverbs, delays to modulators, flangers, and more. Effects are returned on dedicated return channels to the mix, so you don’t have to tie up your mono and stereo input channels. Each stereo FX return features a dedicated 4-band PEQ.

Groups

The Qu-32 offers 4 stereo groups that can be used as subgroups for the LR main mix to group and process, for example, an entire drum kit with compression or multiple lavalier microphones with a single graphic EQ. Groups can also be switched to mix mode to provide additional outputs for monitor mixes.

The Matrix

The Qu-32 adds 2 further stereo matrix outputs, fully processed for the console’s extensive I/O. A matrix is a "mixer within a mixer," fed from any combination of Group 1-4, Mix 1-10, and Main LR. It can be used to create, for example, a broadcast feed, a recording mix, or main outputs for delay stacks, fill, or zone speakers where independent GEQ and delay are applied.

The QU Drive

The Qu-32 features an integrated multitrack USB recorder providing 18 channels of 48 kHz, 24-bit recording and playback directly to and from your USB stick or drive. Multitrack recording has never been easier. A selectable stereo pair can be recorded alongside the 16 mono channels, and multitrack audio played back on the 16 mono inputs plus ST1. Additionally, Qu-Drive offers a stereo recording patchable from any mix output, from Main LR (pre, post, or summed to mono) or even from the PAFL bus with 2-track stereo playback to ST3.

Automatic Mic Mixer (AMM)

AMM is essential for applications like conferences, meetings, and panel discussions where multiple microphones are open simultaneously. The automatic microphone mixer reduces background noise and minimizes the risk of feedback. It helps the sound engineer control the levels of multiple mic inputs and ensures each speaker’s contribution is clearly heard. The Dynamic Gain Sharing algorithm from D-Classic is inspired by industry-standard automixers. Up to 16 mic sources can be mixed simultaneously, with each channel having a priority setting that determines its "weight" in the system’s overall gain.

Mac OS and Windows DAW Integration

The built-in audio interface of the Qu-32 streams up to 32 selectable tracks to your Mac or PC. Returns from the computer can be easily assigned to input channels. The interface is class-compliant under Mac OS X, making it truly plug-and-play and instantly recognized by any DAW supporting Core Audio, including Logic, Cubase, Reaper, and Pro Tools. An ASIO and WDM-compatible driver is available for Windows computers. Standard MIDI control is tunneled over the USB connection, allowing you to assign faders to your favorite DAW tracks. A driver for DAW control is available for easy setup and emulation of HUI or Mackie Control protocols on Mac OS X and Windows systems.

dSNAKE Remote Audio Racks

Qu-32 is a self-contained mixer, so you’re well advised if you already have an analog cable. If you’re thinking about creating a Cat5 digital snake from copper multicore, the built-in dSNAKE port on the Qu-32 provides a future-proof connection to a remote AB168, AR2412, or AR84 stagebox. dSNAKE is our proprietary network solution with a transmission latency of only 105us over cable runs up to 120m / 390 '. So if you want to mix FoH, you can place your I/O on stage and run a single Cat5 cable back to the Qu-32 at the mixing position.

ME – Your Personal Mixing System

The Qu-32 is fully compatible with our ME Personal Mixing System. The ME-1 expands available monitor mixes and gives each performer the ability to maintain control over their own mix, allowing the engineer to focus entirely on the audience. Any number of ME-1 personal mixers can be daisy-chained via the dSNAKE connection (or via an AR2412 or AB168 stagebox connected to the dSNAKE port).

Digital Mixing Reshaped

The distinctive frame made of cold-rolled 18-gauge Zintec steel is designed for strength and durability. We’ve tested it thoroughly, thrown things at it, and even run a tank over it—this mixer simply withstands everything.

Silence is a precious commodity in live or studio environments, so no one wants to ruin those moments coming from the mix position. The sleek profile of the Qu creates optimal airflow through the mixer, so no additional fans are needed.

Equipped with Everything Your Heart Desires

The Qu-32 is equipped with 5 high-efficiency ARM core processors. The ARM cores offer state-of-the-art processing and work in parallel to provide comprehensive control, instant operation, and lightning-fast response with dedicated cores running the touchscreen and interface, USB streaming and Qu-Drive multichannel recording/playback, Ethernet control, and fader automation. The mixer’s DSP farm uses next-generation dual-core DSPs, providing 10 DSP cores, 8 of which are dedicated exclusively to channel and mix processing. The Qu-32’s DSP architecture uses different bit depths tailored to specific algorithms. With 48-bit precision on critical EQ functions and a 56-bit accumulator on the mix bus that really counts, all nuances of audio can be captured in the final mix.

Get Ready, The Future Starts Now!