Allen & Heath Qu-24C 30-In/24-Out Digital Mixer

The chrome edition Qu-24C 30-In/24-Out Digital Mixer from Allen & Heath features 24 of Allen & Heath’s AnalogiQ microphone preamps and is powered by its 5-core ARM processor to provide a variety of integrated effects and processing including channel-independent 4-band parametric EQs, compressors, delay, reverb, and more. The mixer is capable of recording audio to either your Mac or a USB hard drive in up to 48 kHz/24-bit resolution, allowing you to record both the individual tracks and live mix of your shows. The chrome edition adds high-contrast chrome rotary and fader knobs that improve visibility in dark conditions, as well as a number of software enhancements from the updated firmware (V1.8).

The mixer is compatible with both the ME monitoring system and dSNAKE digital connectivity system from Allen & Heath. The Qu-24 can also be used with the Qu-Pad app, allowing you to use your iPad to mix from anywhere in the venue when connected to a wireless network.

New Features In Firmware V1.9
Pro Factory Mic Presets co-developed with leading microphone manufacturers including Shure, Sennheiser, and Audio-Technica
Updated iPad app functionality
Windows Daw Control app
DAW Templates online for users of Cubase, Logic X, and Pro Tools
And More
AnalogiQ Preamps
Qu-24’s twenty-four AnalogiQ total recall preamps feature zero-crossing detection and a padless 1 dB-step gain stage, closely allied to the DSP for optimal gain accuracy and audio transparency. The analog signal is captured by low-latency 24-bit analog-to-digital converters matched to 24-bit digital-to-analog converters to deliver the required outputs. The AnalogiQ design has been refined to offer transparency, minimal distortion, and an ultra-low noise floor, with a warm, musical sound
The Mixing Experience
Having massive processing power and advanced functionality is great, but it counts for nothing if you can’t access the controls you need in a heartbeat. Once you start using Qu-24 you’ll sense the years of research into ergonomics and the hands-on mixing experience that delivers a natural layout and workflow. It’s not about recreating an analog interface; it’s about creating an experience that’s fluid, comfortable and intuitive for novices, digital natives and old-school road warriors alike, making all the benefits of digital mixing technology readily accessible to all
Touch Control
The 800 x 480, sixteen-million color touchscreen and its dedicated data encoder form the heart of the Qu interface, providing fast access to all settings. The user-friendly interface has been designed with clarity in mind. Dedicated keys and screen tabs guide you to meter and RTA views, FX racks, channel processing, USB audio control, scenes, setup menus and much more
The SuperStrip
All your key processing tools are presented in a clean layout on the SuperStrip, with 1 function per physical control. The SuperStrip is complemented by an onscreen Touch Channel for intuitive access to full processing parameters without clutter or complex menu structures. Processing for Mono and Stereo inputs includes trim, polarity, HPF, gate, insert, 4-band PEQ, compressor and delay. The main LR and the Mono mixes have controls for Insert, 1/3 octave GEQ, compressor and delay. The Stereo mixes provide Insert, 4-band PEQ, compressor, delay and balance control
Fader Automation
Moving faders started as an expensive option in the studio desks of the ’80s, and later became the norm with the advent of digital technology. Nevertheless some entry-level digital mixers lack this feature which is a fundamental part of the Total Recall approach. Fader automation is essential for rapid mixing, especially when you’re dealing with multiple monitor mixes. Just press a mix key and the faders immediately fly to the send levels for that mix. Qu-24 features 25 motorized ALPS faders, 24 arranged over 2 layers, allowing instant access to all channels and masters in a compact space, plus a dedicated master fader which dynamically follows the mix selection. A third, Custom layer is available for ad-hoc user strip layout, where any combination of Inputs, FX Sends, FX Returns and Mix masters can be assigned
iLive FX
Qu-24’s dynamics and FX algorithms are derived from the FX used in Allen & Heath’s iLive pro touring series. Qu-24 boasts 4 stereo iLive FX engines, featuring emulations of 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
Total Recall
True digital mixing is about being able to save and recall scenes (snapshots) at the press of a button. Qu-24 can store up to 100 full Scenes for recall at will. Channels and mixes can be made Safe from Scene recall. For example, if an instrument or mic gets swapped out after the soundcheck, the channel can be made safe to avoid settings being overridden by Scene recalls. Or if a broadcast feed or walk-in iPod is added last-minute before the show kicks off, that mix or channel can be made safe from any scene change. In addition, single-parameter updates can be blocked using per-scene Recall Filters or a Global Recall Filter. So if you tweak the graphic EQ to reflect the room response when the audience gets in, you can block this to prevent any overwriting at scene change. Custom settings for each EQ, compressor, channel or FX can be saved as Library presets. This lets you store your tried and tested SM58 EQ or reverb pattern and apply it to other channels or shows. Libraries, Scenes and the complete Show configuration can be saved to a USB key, so you can carry the show with you, ready to use on another Qu mixer
USB Audio Streaming
Qu-24’s built-in interface streams multi-track audio to your Mac: all mono channels, the Main LR mix and 3 selectable stereo pairs. The returns from the Mac can be assigned to the mono channels plus stereo. The interface is class-compliant on Mac OS X – which means it’s truly plug-and-play, with no need to install a driver. It will be recognized straightaway by any DAW supporting Core Audio, including Logic, Cubase, Reaper, and Pro Tools. Standard MIDI control is tunneled over the USB connection so you can easily map the faders to the tracks of your favorite DAW. Alternatively, a MIDI driver is available for use with the Ethernet port
Qu-Drive
Forget soundcard drivers and software setup. Qu-24 has an integrated multi-track USB recorder, providing 18 channels of 48 kHz/24-bit recording and playback straight to or from your USB hard drive, allowing you to capture multi-track recordings of your shows. A selectable stereo pair can be recorded alongside 16 mono channels, and multi-track audio can be played back to 16 mono channels 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
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 processing, working in parallel to deliver extensive control, instant-on operation, and fast response. The mixer’s DSP farm exploits next generation dual-core DSPs. With plenty of DSP power under the hood the channel processing is only using a fraction of capacity, so Qu-24 is designed to be future-proofed, with ample room for updates and extra functionality. 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
The Shape of Things to Come
Made from 18-gauge, cold-rolled Zintec steel, Qu-24’s distinctive frame is designed for strength and rigidity. Allen & Heath has done unspeakable things to that chassis in the lab and it’s taken everything they have 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 the whirring of fans coming from the mix position. Qu’s sleek profile generates optimal airflow through the mixer, eliminating the need for any fans
Qu-Pad
Add the Qu-Pad iPad app to your Qu setup and you’re free to adjust the monitors on stage, roam around the venue whilst tweaking the PA, and then 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. Qu-Pad requires the connection of a Wi-Fi router or access point to the Qu-24 Network port
ME Personal Mixing System
Qu-24 is fully compatible with Allen & Heath’s ME Personal Mixing System. Any number of ME-1 personal mixers can be chained from the dSNAKE port (or from an AR2412 Stagebox if you’ve got one connected to the dSNAKE port). Each performer can be given tailored control over their own mix, leaving the engineer free to focus on the audience experience
dSNAKE
Qu-24 is a self-contained mixer, so if you’ve already got the analog cables you’re good to go. If you’re thinking of trading in the copper multi-core for a Cat5 digital snake, Qu-24’s dSNAKE port has you future-proofed, allowing connection to a remote AR2412 or AR84 Stagebox. dSNAKE is Allen & Heath’s proprietary networking solution, boasting a transport latency of only 105μs over cable runs of up to 390 feet (120 m). 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
SoftKeys
Qu-24 packs 10 SoftKeys for more user-assignable functions such as Mute Groups, Tap Tempo, Scene navigation or PAFL Clear
4 Groups
Groups 1-4 are typically used as subgroups to LR for level masters and/or processing, for example to compress a drum kit or to tame multiple lavalier microphones with a single graphic equalizer
The Matrix
Qu-24’s Matrix adds 2 further stereo outputs equipped with full processing to the console’s extensive I/O. It 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 and fill / zone speakers where independent GEQ and delay is applied