Allen & Heath Qu-5/Qu-5D Release - legendary digital mixer is reborn

Allen & Heath is releasing an updated version of its popular series of devices - the Qu-5 and Qu-5D mixers from Qu lineup. The first to be introduced are two versions of the Qu-5 and Qu-5D mixing consoles, which can operate as a 32 x 32 channel USB audio interface.

The Qu lineup improvements reportedly stem from an FPGA engine with DEEP processing support and 38 mixing channels (32 mono, two stereo, and USB). The Qu-5 has 16 mic/line preamps with XLR/TRS combo jacks; 12 XLR outputs; two TRS outputs; one AES3 output; and two paired TRS L/M/R inputs. It also features a TRS footswitch jack; a Slink port; a network port; and a USB-C port.

The mixer also boasts a seven-inch touchscreen, 17 faders, four channel rulers, 12 mix buses (six mono Aux/Group and six stereo Aux/Group), four matrix buses, six FX modules, a USB-A port for stereo recording and playback, and SD card multitrack recording and playback capability (16 x 16). The 5D version differs only in that it has a Dante connector (16 x 16).

The Allen & Heath Qu-5 will be available for purchase at a price of $2,000. The version with a Dante network connector will be available for $2,330. For more information about the Qu-5 and Qu-5D digital mixers, please visit the official Allen & Heath website. Allen & Heath's Qu lineup also includes the updated Qu-6 / Qu-6D and Qu-7 / Qu-7D models. They differ only in the number of onboard preamps, line outputs, faders, and size.

Allen & Heath Qu-5 and Qu-5D Main Features:

Processing & FX:

• 96kHz XCVI Core
• 6 Multi-FX Engines with dedicated Stereo Returns
• DEEP Processing Ready

Mix Architecture:

• 38x Inputs to Mix (32x Mono/Linkable, 3x Stereo)
• 12 Mixes (6 Mono/Linkable Aux/Group, 6 Stereo Aux/Group)
• 4 Mono/Linkable Matrix
• Stereo Main LR Output

I/O:

• 16 XLR/Jack ‘Combi’ Mic/Line Input Sockets
• 2 Stereo Line Input Sockets (each 2x TRS)
• 12 XLR Output Sockets
• 1 XLR Talkback Socket
• 2 TRS Output Sockets
• 1 AES3 Stereo Digital Output Socket
• 128×128 Intelligent SLink Port for Everything I/O expansion and system connections
• 16×16 48/96 kHz Dante interface with dedicated locking EtherCon port (Qu-5D only)
• Stereo Headphone Output

Control:

• 7” Capacitive Touchscreen
• 17 100mm Motorised Faders
• 4 Channel Strip Layers
• Remote control via free apps – Windows/MacOS/iOS/Android
• 8 SoftKeys
• Configurable single/dual Footswitch Connection

Recording & Playback:

• USB-A For stereo audio record/playback and data transfer
• USB-C Audio interface for multichannel record/playback (32×32)
• SD Card Slot for multichannel audio recording or playback (16×16@96kHz, 32×32@48kHz)

Misc:

• 19” Rack Mountable (optional kit available) (Qu-5 & Qu-5D only)
• 12V Lamp Socket
• Configurable Chromatic Channel Meter LED’s