Allen & Heath Limited

Kernick Industrial Estate

Penryn, Cornwall,
TR10 9LU, UK
www.allen-heath.com

Technical Datasheet
Overview

• Rack-mountable Digital Mixer for Live, Studio and • 16+1 Faders with 6 Layers for 96 assignable Channel
Installation Strips
• 48 Input Channels • Motorised faders for sends on faders, GEQ fader flip
• 16 Local Mic Inputs (XLR) and mix recall
• 2 ¼” Stereo Inputs (TRS) • 16 Backlit LCD Channel Strip displays
• 1 3.5mm Stereo Input • Chromatic Channel Metering
• 36 Total Busses • Integrated Surface Illumination
• 12 Stereo Mix (Aux or Group) + Main • Single/Dual Footswitch Control
• PAFL Bus • Input channel pairs switchable mono/stereo
• 14 Assignable Local Outputs (12 XLR + 2 ¼” TRS) • Patchable Insert points
• AES Digital Output • Input processing – Trim, HPF, Gate, PEQ, Compressor,
• Dedicated Talkback mic input (XLR) Delay
• ¼” TRS Headphone out with dedicated control • Output processing – Graphic EQ, PEQ, Compressor,
• SLink EtherCON connection for remote audio using Delay
dSnake/ME, DX or GigaACE/GX protocol (128x128 • DEEP Automatic Mic Mixing
channels) • 2 31/61 Band Real Time Analysers
• I/O Port for Option Card (including 3rd party protocols – • Quick copy/paste/reset for parameters
Dante/Waves) • User Permissions to restrict operator access
• 8 Mute Groups • 300 Scene memories per show
• 8 DCA Groups • Channel Safes, Global and per Scene Recall Filters
• 8 Stereo FX with dedicated FX Returns • FX, processing and channel Libraries
• DEEP Processing Ready • SQ-Drive for stereo and multitrack recording/playback
• RackFX Effects suite direct to USB drive
• 7" colour touchscreen • USB transfer of Scenes, Libraries, Shows
• 8 Assignable SoftKeys • 32x32 channel USB streaming to/from Mac/PC
• Dedicated physical controls for channel processing • DAW Control driver for MIDI control via USB or TCP/IP
(Gain, HPF Frequency, Gate Threshold, Compressor • Remote mixing apps for iPad, Android, Mac and PC
Threshold, Pan, EQ Gain/Frequency/Width) • Compatible with ME personal monitoring range

SQ-5 Technical Datasheet 1 Allen & Heath Ltd

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A&E Specifications

The mixer shall be a compact, rack-mountable digital There shall be dedicated physical controls which allow
mixer built around a 96kHz XCVI FPGA core with 48 for adjustment of key processing parameters, and
input channels mixing to LR and 12 stereo mix which follow the select button for the input and output
outputs. channels.
The fader and rotary controls shall be of a high
The surface shall include 17 moving faders with 6 contrast colour to the mixer surface for excellent
layers, each layer having dedicated keys, giving easy visibility during operation in low light conditions. The
access to input channels, mixes, FX sends, FX returns, rotary controls shall also be illuminated to indicate
DCA masters and MIDI control. function and availability for use.
Each fader strip shall have dedicated PAFL, Select, Send levels to mixes shall be displayed and adjusted
and Mute buttons with indicators, a variable LED using the faders.
meter, a peak indicator LED and variable colour Surface illumination shall be integrated into the
backlit LCD display. bodywork of the mixer.

SQ-5 Technical Datasheet 2 Allen & Heath Ltd

Local analogue inputs shall use balanced XLR sockets a channel or FX/Mix, or inserted into input or output
and connect to fully recallable digitally controlled channels.
preamplifiers. These shall be able to provide up to
+60dB of gain, industry standard 48V phantom There shall be 8 DCA groups and 8 Mute groups.
power, and include a switchable -20dB Pad to allow a
maximum input level of +30dBu. An Automatic Mic Mixer shall be provided for
Local analogue outputs shall be provided on 12 XLR automatic and dynamic adjustment of gain in spoken
sockets and 2 balanced TRS ¼ inch Jack sockets. word applications.
These will have a nominal line output of +4dBu and a
maximum output of +22dBu. A global source option for the direct out of each input
channel shall be provided in the routing screen. The
There shall be a local “SLink” Ethernet audio tap-off point shall be adjusted to the following
expansion port with locking EtherCON connector, positions in the processing path: post Preamp, post
supporting multiple AoIP protocols and providing HPF, post Gate, post Insert return, post PEQ, post
access to 64x64 digital channels, connected over a Compressor, and post Delay. There shall be further
single cable ‘digital snake’ and allowing remote global options to follow Fader, DCA and Mute.
preamp control of Allen & Heath Remote Audio Units, Direct outputs shall be assignable via the mixer soft
as well as connection to Allen & Heath ME Personal patch bay.
Mixing Systems.
A digital I/O Port shall be provided to accept optional A Talkback facility shall be provided with the ability to
cards, supporting 64x64 channels and the ability to send to any output mix with on screen status
interface with 3rd party AoIP protocols such as Dante indication. An option to enable talkback latching and
and Waves. HPF shall be provided.

All input and output processing, routing options and A signal generator shall be provided with the ability to
system configuration shall be accessed and adjusted send a variable level signal to any output mix with
via a 7-inch colour touchscreen and associated visual assignment status on-screen. The following
dedicated rotary control. types of signals shall be available: Sine, White Noise,
8 user-assignable SoftKeys with variable colour LED Pink Noise, and Band-Pass.
illumination shall be provided for quick access to
Input/Mix/DCA/Group Mutes, Tap Tempo, Scene Comprehensive input, output, and FX channel and
Controls, MMC and SQ-Drive Controls. RTA metering shall be provided on-screen.
A footswitch connection shall be provided to allow 12-LED bar meters on the surface shall indicate the
assignable control from an optional single or dual Main mix bus level and the PAFL signal shall override
footswitch. the LR meters accompanied by a PAFL-active
There shall be dedicated keys for quick indicator.
Copy/Paste/Reset of processing parameters and A default Mains to PAFL sub-mix shall be provided.
mixes.
The ability to assign channel on/off status and to There shall be a USB Type-A connector on the surface
switch between Pre/Post fade to the currently selected for stereo/multitrack recording/playback, data-transfer,
mix shall also be provided with dedicated keys. archiving, and firmware updates direct to USB drives.
On the rear panel there shall be a USB-B connection
All input channels shall contain the following following the USB 2.0 standard for multi-channel, bi-
processing: Polarity, Trim, Insert, Gate, High Pass directional audio streaming and MIDI DAW control
Filter, Parametric EQ, Compressor, Delay, Pan. between the mixer and a computer.
All FX Return channels shall contain the following: A DAW transport control using popular DAW control
Parametric EQ, Pan. protocols for computer shall be available via the
All output mix channels shall contain the following touch-screen.
processing: External input, Polarity, Trim, Insert,
Parametric EQ, and Graphic EQ with RTA and fader- Stereo digital output shall be provided on XLR
flip mode, Compressor, Delay, Balance. following the AES/EBU standard and with switchable
All signal delays in the system shall be adjustable in sample rates.
Milliseconds.
The mixer shall provide a Fast Ethernet (100 Mbit/s)
The mixer will allow the insertion of Allen & Heath port for Cat5 cable connection to a computer for MIDI
DEEP processing models to channels, without over TCP/IP control of mixer parameters via a wireless
affecting latency or processing abilities. router (access point) for live mixing control, and the
mixing system shall include application software for
8 user-assignable effect racks shall be provided with a tablet and phone devices connected via a wireless
library of factory preset FX emulations. The FX racks network router to the LAN port.
shall be individually configurable as send/return from

SQ-5 Technical Datasheet 3 Allen & Heath Ltd

Input and output channel processing and parameters may be chosen to be recalled per change of user-
in the mixer shall be saved on demand as a user login if desired.
library item for recall in other channels. All library items
shall be archived with the show-file. Library items shall The mixing system shall periodically record all current
be transferrable to USB drive as portable data to be settings and return the mixer to that state after reboot
used in other systems. following a power-cycle.
The mixer shall provide the facility to save 300 scenes
of the settings of the mixing system and these scenes The mixing control surface shall have a built in power
shall be nameable. supply accepting AC mains voltages of 100~240V,
A comprehensive table of ‘Scene Safes’ shall be 50/60 Hz, 75W max via an earthed 3-pin IEC male
provided to prevent selected items from being connector mounted on the rear chassis. A Two Pole
changed from their state when the safe was enabled. Push-Button switch shall be provided near the mains
A comprehensive scene filter shall be provided per input.
scene to Allow / Block each parameter saved in a
scene from being changed as that scene is recalled. Recommended operating temperature for the mixer
shall be 5 to 35 degrees Celsius.
An option shall be provided for password protection
for log-in of several users with different levels of The mixer shall be the Allen & Heath SQ-5.
system access and permissions. A particular scene

Dimensions
440.00mm/17.3"
514.9mm/20.3"

501.9mm/19.8"

25.00
198mm/7.8"

°
15.00°

5.00°
60.4mm/2.4"

352.00mm/13.9" 381.6mm/15"

SQ-5 Technical Datasheet 4 Allen & Heath Ltd

 Block Diagram

SQ SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM 48 input channels x 36 bus Mix Engine

Firmware V1.5 Assignable buses
GRP AUX FX MAIN MTX PAFL
INPUT CHANNEL x 48 Sidechain Sidechain
Mixer MIC/LINE inputs 48V
INPUT Configurable Mono / Stereo PFL
Channel RTA AFL
PAD
GAIN PATCH METER
DCA
INSERT A
+ MUTE FADER ASSIGN+PAN
ADC WIDTH TRIM HPF GATE PEQ COMP/ AMM

preamp
DELAY

DEEP
- POL gain IP to MAIN
Ducker L R
-20dB 0
MODE IP to GRP
L + ADC Stereo ch
- only
ST1/2 + Post-Preamp Post-Ins A Post-PEQ Post-Delay
L R
R ADC IP to AUX/FX
- Global PAFL
source option LEV
ADC Source option
ST3 per AUX mix
AMM key
ADC TRIM DIRECT OUT
Global Direct Out
source option
Global
USB B USB switch
Stream <32ch
FX SEND RackFX x8 FX RETURN x8
METER PFL
SQ-Drive PFL
Send > Return FX
AFL
Strip METER AFL FADER in-place
Inserted FX MUTE ASSIGN+PAN
Stereo / Multitrack Playback FADER
MUTE PEQ Ret to MAIN
Audio interface L R
option card Ret to GRP
From:
I/O Port 64 Inputs FX Send
or L R
Any MIX Ret to AUX/FX
DCA Post
MIC/LINE inputs 48V Input DIR OUT
Pre LEV
PP GAIN
PAD SLink
DX Expanders + ADC TALKBACK Assign to: INPUT CH, GRP, AUX, MAIN, MTX
- 48V SIG GEN
AR AudioRacks -20dB Assign to: GRP, AUX, MAIN, MTX, MUTE
SRC GAIN Sine (Sweep 20-20kHz)
AES3 inputs OUTPUT SOCKET
PAD White Noise LEV
HPF Pink Noise
+ ADC
Bypass - Bandpass Noise (Sweep)
-20dB Press to TALK

GRP AUX FX MAIN MTX PAFL

OUTPUT Mixer BAL Line Outputs
PATCH DAC +
MIX MASTER (GRP, AUX, MAIN) MAIN, AUX and MTX PFL/AFL sourced Pre-Delay -
GRP PFL/AFL sourced Post-Delay
+4dBu
PFL
Channel RTA DCA AFL AES3 Output
44.1/48/88.2/96kHz
INSERT 28-band 1/3 octave FADER BAL
MUTE (Main LR only)
GEQ PEQ COMP DELAY
L R Mix Output
+
+4/-10
Skt, USB, GRP to MAIN
TRS Out
I/O Port or RackFX Sidechain L R DAC +
- A

DAC BAL +4dBu

TRIM POL L R +
EXT IN Post GRP to AUX/MTX - B
0
Pre LEV
Global
L R USB switch USB B
AUX/MAIN to MTX Stream <32ch
Post
Pre LEV
12 Mono / Stereo mixes (configurable Aux or Group) + LR
SQ-Drive
Stereo / Multitrack Recording

I/O Port
TRIM POL MATRIX MASTER Audio interface
EXT IN Configure as MONO or STEREO option card
0 PFL 64 Outputs
Sidechain DCA AFL
INSERT PHONES
Skt, I/O Port or RackFX FADER
MUTE DAC
GEQ PEQ COMP DELAY
MTX Output
+
+4/-10
28-band 1/3 octave BAL Line Outputs
SLink
DAC +
Channel RTA -
DX Expanders Ready +4dBu
AR AudioRacks SRC
AES3 Outputs
PFL/AFL MONITOR Listen L/R/M 44.1/48/96kHz
Linked
Listen Level PAFL Meter
DELAY Bypass
-24dB 0dB +
TRIM POL PFL TRIM
EXT IN (AFL not affected) Meters RTA
0 + DELAY

PAFL L/R

SQ-5 Technical Datasheet 5 Allen & Heath Ltd

Mixer Specifications
Inputs Mic/Line Inputs Balanced XLR, fully recallable
Input Sensitivity -60 to +0dBu
Switchable Pad -20dB
Analogue Gain 0dB to +60dB, 1dB steps
Maximum Input Level +30dBu
Input Impedance >5kΩ
THD+N, Unity gain 0dB 0.002% -92dBu (20Hz-20kHz, AES Direct Out, @0dBu 1kHz)
THD+N, Mid gain +30dB 0.003% -91dBu (20Hz-20kHz, AES Direct Out, @-30dBu INPUT 1kHz)
Phantom Power +48V (+3V / -2V)
Stereo Line Inputs
ST1, ST2 connectors Balanced, 1/4" TRS jack
ST3 connector Unbalanced, stereo 3.5mm Mini Jack
Input Sensitivity (ST1, ST2 / ST3) Nominal +4dBu ST1, ST2 / 0dBu ST3
Trim +/-24dB
Maximum Input Level (ST1,ST2 / ST3) +22dBu / +18dBu
Input Impedance >7kΩ
Outputs XLR Outputs Balanced, XLR
Outputs A and B Balanced 1/4" TRS Jack
Source Patchable
Output Impedance <75Ω
Nominal Output +4dBu = 0dB meter reading
Maximum Output Level +22dBu
Residual Output Noise -90dBu (muted, 20Hz-20kHz)

AES Digital Output Balanced XLR 2 channel,

96kHz sampling rate (Default with SRC Bypassed)
Switchable output sample rates,44.1kHz/ 48kHz/ 88.2kHz/ (96kHz)
2.5Vpp balanced terminated 110G
SLink Connection Neutrik EtherCON (RJ45)
dsnake mode (48kHz devices) 40 input 20+40(ME) output channels
dx mode (96kHz devices) 32 input 32 output channels
gigaACE/GX (96kHz devices) 128 input 128 output channels
Inputs Fully Patchable
Outputs Fully Patchable
Sync/SRC Assignable as master audio sync for all modes, SRC 64 channel
I/O Port Multi-channel I/O option module
Inputs Fully Patchable
Outputs Fully Patchable
Sync/SRC Assignable as master audio sync
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
THD+N, Mic/Line routed to Main L/R Out Unity gain faders@0dB, 0.006%, -84dBu (20 - 20kHz)
dBFS Alignment +18dBu = 0dBFS (+22dBu at XLR output)
Meter Calibration 0dB meter = -18dBFS (+4dBu at XLR out)
Main Meter Type 2 x 12 segment, fast (peak) response
Channel Meter Type Chromatic Channel Metering, fully programmable colour/brightness
Peak Indication -3dBFS (+19dBu at XLR out), multi-point sensing
Sampling Rate 96kHz
Bit Depth Uses XCVI core custom bit widths in algorithms, up to 96bits
Latency <0.7mS, Local Mic Input to Main L/R

Operating Temperature Range 0 deg C to 40 deg C (32 deg F to 104 deg F)

Mains Power 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz
Max Power Consumption SQ-5/SQ-6/SQ-7 75W / 90W / 110W
Dimensions SQ-5 Width x Depth x Height
& Weights Desk mounted 440 x 514.9 x 198 mm (17.3" x 20.3" x 7.8")
Packed in shipping box 610 x 680 x 360 mm (24" x 26.8" x 14.2")
Unpacked weight 10.5 kg (23.1 lbs)
Packed weight 14 kg (30.9 lbs)

SQ-6 Width x Depth x Height

Desk mounted 638 x 514.9 x 198 mm (25.1" x 20.3" x 7.8")
Packed in shipping box 820 x 680 x 360 mm (32.3" x 26.8" x 14.2")
Unpacked weight 14.5 kg (32 lbs)
Packed weight 17.3 kg (38.1 lbs)

SQ-7 Width x Depth x Height

Desk mounted 804 x 514.9 x 198 mm (31.7" x 20.3" x 7.8")
Packed in shipping box 960 x 685 x 360 mm (37.8" x 27" x 14.2")
Unpacked weight 17.8 kg (39.3 lbs)
Packed weight 21.9 kg (48.3 lbs)

SQ-5 Technical Datasheet 6 Allen & Heath Ltd

 Control Faders 100mm motorised
Touch Screen 7" Capacitive, 800 x 480 resolution, 24 bit RGB
SoftKeys 8 (SQ-5), 16 (SQ-6, SQ-7)
SoftRotarys 4 (SQ-6), 8 (SQ-7)
Mute Groups / DCA Groups 8/8
Network TCP/IP Ethernet for MIDI and Control
MIDI TCP/IP and USB-B
Footswitch Single or Dual, Momentary or Latching
Input Source
Processing CH1-48 Fully patchable
USB Global Source SQ-Drive or USB B Streaming

Polarity Normal/Invert
Trim -24 to +24dB
High Pass Filter 12/18/24dB per octave 20Hz – 2kHz
Insert (Pre EQ/Comp) Fully Patchable
Delay Up to 341ms

Gate Patchable Sidechain

Sidechain filter Hi-pass (20-5k), band-pass (120-10k), Lo-pass (120-20k)
Threshold / Depth -72dBu to +18dBu / 0 to 60dB
Attack / Hold / Release 50µs to 300ms / 10ms to 5s / 10ms to 1s

PEQ 4-Band fully parametric, 20-20kHz, +/-15dB

Band 1, Band 4 Selectable Shelving (Baxandall), Bell, HPF/LPF 12dB/octave
Band 2, Band 3 Bell
Bell Width Variable Q, 1.5 to 1/9th octave

Compressor Patchable Sidechain, DEEP options

Sidechain filter Hi-pass (20-5k), band-pass (120-10k), Lo-pass (120-20k), Q=1
Threshold / Ratio -46dBu to 18dBu / 1:1 to infinity
Attack / Release 30µs to 300ms / 50ms to 2s
Knee Soft/Hard
Detector response Peak/RMS switchable
Parallel Path Compression dry/wet -infin to 0dB

Channel Direct Out Follow Fader, Mute, Mute Group, DCA (global all ch)
Source select Post-Preamp, Post-HPF, Post-Gate, Insert Return,
Post-PEQ, Post-Comp, Post-Delay
trim -infin to 10dB per channel
Mix Insert (Pre EQ/Comp) Fully Patchable
Processing Delay Up to 682ms
GEQ 28 bands 31Hz-16kHz, +/-12dB Gain, Constant 1/3 oct, DEEP options
PEQ As Input PEQ
Compressor As Input Compressor
FX Internal FX 8 x RackFX engine, Send>Return or Inserted (4 dedicated fx bus)
Types SMR Reverb, Stereo Tap Delay, Gated Reverb, ADT, Blue Chorus
Symphonic Chorus, Flanger, Phaser
8 dedicated Stereo FX returns Fader, Pan, Mute, Routing to Mix/LR, 4-Band PEQ
Audio Tools PAFL PFL or stereo in-place AFL, 0 to -24dB Trim, PAFL Delay Up to 682ms
Talkback Dedicated input, Assignable to any mix, Gain, Pad, 48V, 12dB/oct HPF
Signal Generator Assignable to any input or mix, Sine/White/Pink/Bandpass Noise
RTA's 2x 31-Band 1/3 octave (Stereo) or 61-Band 1/6 octave (Mono) 20-20kHz.
PAFL/Selected Channel or Fixed Source
USB Audio SQ-Drive USB-A
Stereo Record 2 channel, WAV, 96kHz, 24-bit, source fully patchable
Stereo Playback 1/2 channel, WAV, 44.1, 48, 96kHz 16,24-bit, source fully patchable
Multitrack Record 1-16 channel 96kHz, 1-32 channel 48kHz, 24-bit, WAV, fully patchable
Multitrack Playback 1-16 channel 96kHz, 1-32 channel 48kHz, 24-bit, WAV, fully patchable

USB Audio Streaming USB-B, Core Audio compliant, ASIO/WDM for Windows
Send (upstream) 32 channel, 48/96kHz, 24-bit
Return (downstream) 32 channel, 48/96kHz, 24-bit
AMMs Configuration 2x 24ch or 1x 48ch, freely assignable
Type Gain Sharing
Sidechain Filter HPF / LPF 12dB/octave 20Hz – 5kHz / 120Hz - 20kHz
Priority -15dB to +15dB per channel
Add-ons DEEP Preamps Tube Stage
DEEP Compressors Opto, 16T, 16VU, PeakLimiter76, Mighty
DEEP GEQ's Proportional-Q, DiGi-GEQ, Hybrid
RackFX units De-Esser, DynEQ4, MultiBD3, MultiBD4,
Bucket Brigade, Echo, Hypabass

SQ-5 Technical Datasheet 7 Allen & Heath Ltd