Allen & Heath QU-24 Digital Mixer Chrome

Now in a feature-packed new Chrome Edition, Qu-24 reshapes digital mixing, combining innovative design and exceptional functionality to create a superb professional mixing experience. Bristling with all the features you’d expect from a top of the range digital console and incorporating technologies pioneered on the GLD and iLive digital mixing systems, Qu-24 has the power and pedigree to deliver class-leading audio performance.

Hot new features include Automatic Mic Mixing and Spectrogram for feedback-hunting, plus upgraded, high contrast metallic finish controls. Whether you’re switching from analogue or updating your digital desk, it’s time to experience the new digital with Qu-24.

Product Features

• QU Ecosystem: Qu provides much more than just a mixer. Qu is an entire ecosystem with Remote AudioRacks allowing I/O to be placed where it’s needed, ME Personal Mixers expanding monitor mixes and enabling simple, time-saving local control, Qu Apps for complete remote setup and wireless mixing on stage or anywhere else in the venue, ProFactory Mic presets to speed up preparation time and ensure the best sound, plus USB recording and DAW integration for powerful workflow optimisation from one centrepiece device.
• Analogiq^TM Preamps: Qu-24 features twenty-four AnalogiQ^TM digitally controlled preamps with advanced zero-crossing detection and a padless 1dB-step gain stage, which have been 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, and are matched to 24bit digital to analogue converters to deliver the required high quality output. The AnalogiQTM preamp design has been refined 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 counts for nothing if you can’t access the controls you need in a heartbeat.The 800×480, True Colour Touchscreen and its dedicated rotary encoder form the heart of Qu-16’s interface, providing super-fast access to all settings and parameters. 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. Complementing the touchscreen is the SuperStrip – a set of single function physical controls for instant access to gain, HPF, 4 band PEQ, gate, compressor, GEQ and pan. The screen overview also follows the control being turned.
• One Channel/One Fader: Qu-16 has a fader per mono input channel and fewer fader layers for simpler, quicker workflow. Some digital mixers don’t offer a fader per physical input, meaning you have to access an additional fader layer to control these channels. This can be confusing and time consuming. Because every mic input is presented on its own fader for fast, easy control, this makes Qu-16 the perfect mixer for first-time converts from analogue to digital and those not comfortable working with several layers of faders.
• Total Recall: True digital mixing is about being able to save and recall Scenes (snapshots) at the press of a button. Qu can store up to 100 full Scenes for recall and Channels or Mixes can be made Safe from being overwritten. Qu-24 features 25 motorized ALPS faders, 24 allow instant access to all input channels and masters over 2 layers, and a dedicated master fader dynamically follows the Mix selection. A third User-defined Custom layer is available for ad-hoc strip layout, where any combination of Inputs, FX Sends, FX Returns, DCA’s and Mix masters can be assigned.
• Profactory MIC Presets: Allen & Heath has teamed up with leading microphone manufacturers and top engineers at Audio-Technica, Sennheiser, and Shure to provide EQ Library presets for a large number of popular and industry standard microphones. Presets for vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, drums, brass and woodwind have been painstakingly crafted to offer you the best possible starting point for the source and your microphone of choice. Whether you’re a keen amateur or a seasoned professional, you can get to work quickly and easily, saving valuable time so you can concentrate on EQ’ing the source and room acoustics.
• iLive FX: Qu-24’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-24 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.
• More Mixes, More Flexibility: Groups – Qu-24 provides 2 stereo Groups which can be used as subgroups to the main LR mix for group level and processing, for example to buss-compress an entire drum kit, or to tame multiple lavalier mics with a single graphic EQ. Groups can also be switched to Mix mode to provide additional outputs for monitor mixes. The Matrix – Qu-24 adds 2 further stereo Matrix outputs equipped with full processing to 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 provide a broadcast feed, a recording mix, or duplicate the main outputs for delay stacks, fill or zone speakers where independent GEQ and delay is applied.
• QU-Drive: Qu-24 has an integrated multitrack USB recorder, providing 18 channels of 48kHz, 24bit recording and playback straight to / from your USB key or 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 inputs 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.
• Automatic MIX Mixer (AMM): AMM is vital in applications such as conferences, meetings and panel discussions where a number of microphones are open at the same time. Reducing background noise and minimising the risk of feedback, the Automatic Microphone Mixer helps the engineer to manage the levels of multiple mic inputs, ensuring that each speaker’s contribution is heard clearly. The D-Classic dynamic gain sharing algorithm is inspired by industry standard automixers. Up to 16 microphone sources can be mixed at once, with each channel having a priority setting which determines its ‘weight’ in the total system gain.
• MAC OS and Windows DAW Integration: Qu-24’s built-in audio interface streams up to 32 selectable tracks to your Mac or PC and returns from the computer can be easily assigned to the Input channels. The interface is class-compliant on Mac OS X making it truly plug ‘n play and will be recognized straight away 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 tunnelled over the USB connection so you can map the faders to the tracks of your favourite DAW. A DAW Control driver is available for easy setup and emulation of HUI or Mackie Control protocols on Mac OS X and Windows systems.
• QU Apps for Greater Wireless Control: Add the fully-featured Qu-Pad app for iPad to your Qu-24 and you’re free to EQ and mix monitors on stage, roam around the venue whilst adjusting the PA, and 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.
• dSNAKE^TM Remote Audio Racks: Qu-24 is a self-contained mixer, so if you’ve already got the analogue cables you’re good to go. If you’re thinking of trading in the copper multicore for a Cat5 digital snake, Qu-24’s built-in dSNAKE port has you future-proofed, allowing connection to a remote AB168, AR2412 or AR84 Stagebox. dSNAKE is our proprietary networking solution, boasting a transport latency of only 105us over cable runs of up to 120m / 390’. So if you’re mixing FoH you can place your I/O on the stage and run a single Cat5 cable back to the Qu-24 in the mix position.
• ME Personal Mixing System: Qu-24 is fully compatible with our ME Personal Mixing System. Any number of ME-1 personal mixers can be chained from the dSNAKETM port (or from an AR2412 Stagebox if you’ve got one connected to the dSNAKETM port). Each performer can be given tailored control over their own mix, leaving the engineer free to focus on the audience experience.
• Digital Mixing Reshaped: Made from 18 gauge, cold-rolled Zintec steel, Qu’s distinctive frame is designed for strength and rigidity. 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! Silence is a precious commodity in the live or studio environment, which is why nobody wants those moments of stillness ruined by whirring coming from the mix position. Qu’s sleek profile generates optimal airflow through the mixer, eliminating the need for any fans.
• Armed to the Hilt: Qu-24 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. The Qu 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.

Product Specifications

• Inputs
  • Mic/Line Inputs:  Balanced, XLR and 1/4″ TRS jack, fully recallable
  • Input Sensitivity: (XLR / TRS) -60 to +5dBu / -50 to +15dBu
  • Analogue Gain: -5 to +60dB, 1dB steps
  • Maximum Input: Level (XLR / TRS) +19dBu / +29dBu
  • Input Impedance: (XLR / TRS) >5kΩ / >10 kΩ
  • THD+N, Unity gain 0dB: 0.0005% -89 dBu (20-20kHz, Direct Out @0dBu 1kHz)
  • THD+N, Mid gain +30dB: 0.001% -83dBu (20-20kHz, Direct Out @0dBu 1kHz)
• Stereo Line Inputs
  • ST1, ST2 connector: Balanced, 1/4″ TRS jack, half-normalled
  • ST3 connector: Unbalanced, stereo 3.5mm Mini Jack
  • Input Sensitivity (ST1, ST2 / ST3): Nominal +4dBu / 0dBu
  • Trim: +/-24dB
  • Maximum Input Level (ST1,ST2 /ST3): +22dBu / +18dBu
  • Input Impedance: >7kΩ
• Outputs
  • Mix1-10 and LR Out: Balanced, XLR
  • Output Impedance: <75Ω
  • Nominal Output: +4dBu 0dB meter reading
  • Maximum Output Level: +22dBu
  • Residual Output Noise: -90 dBu (muted, 20-20kHz)
  • Stereo Alt Out & 2Trk Out: Balanced, 1/4″ TRS jack
  • Source (Alt Output /2Trk Output): Patchable / LR post-fade
  • Output Impedance: <75Ω
  • Nominal Output: +4dBu = 0dB meter reading
  • Maximum Output Level: +22dBu
  • Residual Output Noise: -90 dBu (muted, 20-20kHz)
  • AES Digital Output: 2 channel, 48kHz sampling rate, XLR, 2.5Vpp balanced terminated 110Ω
• dSNAKE
  • Inputs: Remote source for CH1-32, ST1, ST2, ST3
  • Outputs: Patchable from Mix1-10, LR, Grp1-8, MTX1-4; Compatible with AudioRacks AR2412, AR84, AB168; Compatible with ME personal mixing system
  • System: Measured balanced XLR in to XLR out, 0dB gain, 0dBu input
  • Dynamic Range: 112 dB
  • Frequency Response: +0/-0.5dB 20Hz to 20kHz
  • Headroom: +18dB
  • Internal operating Level: 0dBu
  • dBFS Alignment: +18dBu = 0dBFS (+22dBu at XLR output)
  • Meter Calibration: 0dB meter = -18dBFS (+4dBu at XLR out)
  • Meter Peak indication: -3dBFS (+19dBu at XLR out), multi-point sensing
  • Meter Signal indication: -48dBFS (-26dBu at XLR out)
  • Meter Type: Fast (peak) response
  • Sampling Rate: 48kHz +/-100PPM
  • ADC, DAC: 24-bit Delta-Sigma
  • Latency: 1.2 ms (local XLR in to XLR out), 0.7 ms (local XLR in to AES out)
  • Operating Temperature Range: 0 deg C to 35 deg C (32 deg F to 95 deg F)
  • Mains Power 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz
  • Maximum Power Consumption: 82W
• USB Audio
  • Qu-Drive: USB A
  • Stereo Record: 2 channel, WAV, 48kHz, 24-bit, patchable
  • Stereo Playback: 2 channel, WAV, 44.1 or 48kHz, 16 or 24-bit, to ST3
  • Multitrack Record: 18 channel, WAV, 48kHz, 24-bit, patchable
  • Multitrack Playback: 18 channel, WAV, 48kHz, 24-bit
  • USB Audio Streaming: USB B, Core Audio compliant
  • Send (upstream): 24 channel, WAV, 48kHz, 24-bit
  • Return (downstream): 22 channel, WAV, 48kHz, 24-bit
• Control
  • Faders: 100mm motorised
  • Touch Screen: 5″ TFT, 800×480 resolution
  • SoftKeys: 10
  • Mute Groups: 4
  • DCA Groups: 4
  • Network: TCP/IP Ethernet for MIDI and iPad app
• Input Processing
  • Source: CH1-32 Local, dSNAKE, or USB; ST1, ST2 Local, dSNAKE, or USB; ST3 Local, dSNAKE, or USB Stereo; USB Global Source Qu-Drive or USB B Streaming
  • Stereo Linking: Odd/even input pairs
  • Parameters linked: EQ, dynamics, insert, delay, assignments, sends
  • Link options: Preamp, polarity, Sidechain, fader/mute, pan
  • Polarity: Normal/Reverse
  • High Pass Filter: 12dB/octave 20Hz – 2kHz
  • Insert: Assign FX1-4 into Input channels
  • Delay: Up to 85ms
  • Gate: Self-key Sidechain
  • Threshold / Depth: -72dBu to +18dBu / 0 to 60dB
  • Attack / Hold / Release: 50us to 300ms / 10ms to 5s / 10ms to 1s
  • PEQ: 4-Band fully parametric, 20-20kHz, +/- 15dB
  • Band 1: Selectable LF Shelving (Baxandall), Bell
  • Band 2, Band 3: Bell
  • Band 4: Selectable HF Shelving (Baxandall), Bell
  • Bell Width: Non-constant Q, variable, 1.5 to 1/9th octave
  • Compressor: Self-key Sidechain
  • Threshold / Ratio: -46dBu to 18dBu / 1:1 to infinity
  • Attack / Release: 300us – 300ms / 100ms – 2s
  • Knee: Soft/Hard
  • Types: Peak Manual, RMS Manual, SlowOpto, PunchBag
• Mix Processing
  • Channel Direct Out to USB: Follow Fader, follow Mute (global options)
  • Source select (global): Post-Preamp, Pre-EQ, Post-EQ, PostDelay
  • Insert: Assign FX into Mix channels
  • Delay: Up to 170ms
  • GEQ: Constant 1/3 oct, 28 bands 31Hz-16kHz, +/-12dB Gain
  • PEQ: 4-Band fully parametric, 20-20kHz, +/- 15dB
  • Band 1: Selectable LF Shelving (Baxandall), Bell
  • Band 2, Band 3: Bell
  • Band 4: Selectable HF Shelving (Baxandall), Bell
  • Bell Width: Non-constant Q, variable, 1.5 to 1/9th octave
  • Compressor: Self-key Sidechain
  • Threshold / Ratio: -46dBu to 18dBu / 1:1 to infinity
  • Attack / Release: 300us – 300ms / 100ms – 2s
  • Knee: Soft/Hard
  • Types: Peak Manual, RMS Manual, SlowOpto, PunchBag
• FX
  • Internal FX: 4x RackFX engine, Send>Return or Inserted
• Audio Tools
  • Types Reverbs, Delays, Gated Reverb, ADT; Chorus, Symphonic Chorus, Phaser,Flanger
  • 4 dedicated Stereo FX returns: Fader, Pan, Mute, Routing to Mix/LR, 4-Band PEQ
  • PAFL: PFL or stereo in-place AFL, 0 to -24dB Trim, 85ms Delay
  • Talkback: Assignable to any mix, 12dB/oct HPF
  • Signal Generator: Assignable to any mix, Sine/White/Pink/Band-pass Noise
  • RTA: 31-Bands 1/3 octave 20-20kHz, follows PAFL source

Physical & Dimensions

• Width: 632mm
• Depth: 500mm
• Height: 186mm
• Weight: 14kg

What’s in the Box?

• 1 QU-24
• 1 Mains Lead
• 1 Getting Started Guide
• 1 Safety Sheet