Allen & Heath expands its Qu series of digital audio mixers at InfoComm 2014

Allen & Heath expands its Qu series of digital audio mixers

At InfoComm 2014, Las Vegas, Allen & Heath unveiled Qu-32, a 32 fader, 38 in / 28 out digital mixer joining the rackmount Qu-16 and compact Qu-24. Qu-32 shares the Qu series key features, such as total recall of settings (including faders and digitally controlled preamps), Qu-Drive integrated multi-track recorder, dSNAKE for remote I/O and personal monitoring, multi-channel USB streaming, Qu-Pad control app, and the renowned iLive FX Library. It comes with a larger, 7” touchscreen and 33 motorised faders.

Key to the design was providing a dedicated fader per mic input channel while retaining a compact footprint, the Qu series distinctive styling, and extensive I/O, comprising 32 mic/line inputs, 3 stereo inputs, 24 mix outputs including 2 Stereo Matrix Mix Outputs and 4 Stereo Groups with full processing, patchable AES digital output with a further 2-channel ALT output, dedicated Talkback microphone pre input, and 2-Track output.
Qu-32 is equipped with a high resolution full colour 7” Touchscreen featuring the easy to drive ‘Touch Channel’ access to channel processing, the FX racks and all the setup and system management controls. The SuperStrip provides control knobs for a selected channel’s key processing parameters, such as gain, HPF, parametric EQ, gate threshold, compressor threshold and pan. Qu-Drive, the mixer’s integrated 18-channel USB recorder, can record and playback multi-track and stereo audio .wav files to a USB drive. The USB interface can also be used to store scene and library data for archiving and later recall.
Qu-32 doubles up as a perfect studio mixer thanks to its 32x32 audio interface for streaming to/from a Mac or PC, and MIDI strips dedicated to control of DAW track levels, selection, mutes and solos.
Allen & Heath AB168

Alongside the Qu-32 digital mixer, Allen & Heath has launched the AB168 portable audio IO rack at Infocomm 2014. Suitable for live or installation applications, AB168 is designed primarily as a stage box for live performance, providing a direct connection to the main mixing system.
Featuring 16 mic preamps with Phantom Power indicators and 8 XLR line outs, AB168 runs on Allen & Heath’s proprietary dSNAKE protocol and is compatible with both the Qu and GLD mixer ranges, complementing Allen & Heath’s existing 19 inch rack IO dSNAKE products, the AR2412 and AR84.
Adding an AB168 to a Qu or GLD system allows the user to position some or all I/O up to 120m from the mixer. The unit connects over a single Cat5 cable to the Qu/GLD mixer or AR2412 AudioRack via a secure dSNAKE EtherCon port. A second EtherCon port is provided for daisy-chaining to another AB168 box or connection of a ME personal mixing system.
The rack’s rugged design, including rubber bumpers, renders it highly roadworthy and allows it to be placed on the stage floor during performances. The unit can also be rack mounted for installation purposes.