Allen & Heath Qu-6 / Qu-6D Technical Datasheet

Overview and Visual Description

Top Panel Description: The top panel of the Qu-6D features a comprehensive layout with input channels, processing controls, and a central touchscreen. It includes rotary encoders, faders, and various buttons for channel selection, mute, PAFL, and processing. The Allen & Heath logo is prominently displayed.

Rear Panel Description: The rear panel houses all the physical input and output connections. This includes a variety of XLR and TRS sockets for microphone and line inputs, stereo line inputs, talkback input, XLR outputs, TRS outputs, AES3 digital output, and network connections (RJ45 for Ethernet/Dante). Power input and a power switch are also located here.

Key Features

• 96kHz XCVI Core with variable bit-depth up to 96bit and <0.7ms latency.
• 38x Inputs to Mix (32x Mono/Linkable, 3x Stereo).
• Stereo Main LR Output.
• 12x Mixes (6x Mono/Linkable Aux/Group, 6x Stereo Aux/Group).
• 4x FX Sends.
• 4x Mono/Linkable Matrix Mixes.
• 24x XLR/Jack 'Combi' Mic/Line Input Sockets.
• 2x Stereo Line Input Sockets (each 2x TRS).
• 1x XLR Talkback Socket.
• 16x XLR Output Sockets.
• 2x TRS Output Sockets.
• 1x AES3 Stereo Digital Output Socket.
• 128x128 SLink Port for Everything I/O expansion and system connections.
• 16x16 48/96 kHz Dante interface (Qu-6D only).
• Stereo Headphone Output.
• 7" Capacitive Touchscreen.
• 25x 100mm Motorised Faders.
• 4x Customisable Channel Strip Layers.
• 8x SoftKeys.
• 12V Lamp Socket.
• Configurable single/dual Footswitch Connection.
• Configurable Chromatic Channel Meter LEDs.
• IEC Mains Connection with Worldwide PSU.
• RJ45 Network Socket.
• USB-A for stereo audio record/playback and data (2 Channels @48/96kHz, 24bit).
• USB-C Audio interface for multichannel record/playback (32x32 @48/96kHz, 16/24bit).
• SD Card Slot for multichannel audio record/playback (16 Channels @96kHz, 32 Channels @48kHz, 24bit).
• Input processing: Trim, HPF, Gate, Parametric EQ, Compressor, Channel Delay.
• Mix processing: Graphic EQ, Feedback Assistant, PEQ, Compressor, Channel Delay.
• Fully patchable Insert points.
• 6x Multi-FX Engines with dedicated Stereo Return Channels and PEQ.
• 32 Channel, zero latency, DEEP Automatic Mic Mixer.
• 31/61 Band Real Time Analyser.
• Feedback Assistant with 8 simultaneous detectors.
• Gain Assistant.
• 300 Scene memories per Show.
• Channel Safes, Global/Per-Scene Recall Filters.
• FX, Processing and Channel Libraries.
• User Permissions to restrict operator access.
• DAW Control emulation via USB or TCP/IP.
• Compatible with ME personal monitoring range.
• Remote control via free apps (Windows/MacOS/iOS/Android).

Architectural & Engineering Specification

The mixer is a standalone digital mixer built around a 96kHz XCVI FPGA core, mixing 38 input sources to 28 busses, with a system latency of less than 0.7ms. All input and output processing, routing, and system configuration are accessed via a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen and dedicated rotary control. The surface features moving faders with 4 layers, offering quick access to channels, mixes, FX, DCAs, and MIDI. Each fader strip includes Select, Mute, and PAFL buttons, a variable LED meter, peak indicator, and a backlit LCD display. Dedicated physical controls adjust key processing parameters, following the selected channel. Send levels to mixes are adjusted using faders and dedicated Mix keys. A 'CH to All Mix' key allows viewing and adjustment of all send levels from a selected channel. Quick access to Pre/Post send assignment is available via dedicated keys. Faders and rotary controls have white skirts for visibility. 8 user-assignable SoftKeys with multi-colour LED illumination provide quick access to various functions. Dedicated Copy/Paste/Reset keys are included. A footswitch connection allows for assignable control. A 'View' key temporarily displays channel information and SoftKey assignments. Local analogue inputs use balanced XLR/TRS 'combi' sockets with digitally controlled preamplifiers offering up to +60dB gain, with a -20dB Pad on TRS inputs for line signals. 48V phantom power is switchable per socket. Local preamp count matches fader count for a 1-to-1 setup. An additional XLR socket is provided for Talkback. Two stereo input connections for playback use 2 balanced TRS 1½ inch Jack sockets each, half-normalled for mono sources. Local analogue outputs are on XLR and 2 balanced TRS 1½ inch Jack sockets, with a nominal line output of +4dBu. A stereo digital AES3 output is provided via an industry standard 110ohm XLR connection with sample rate conversion options. A high-power headphone output with level control and a dual 12 segment LED meter is available via a TRS 1½ inch Jack socket. A USB Type-A connector supports stereo recording/playback, data transfer, and firmware updates. An SDHC slot supports multichannel audio recording/playback for import into DAWs. A USB-C connection provides multi-channel, bi-directional audio streaming and MIDI control. An intelligent "SLink" Ethernet audio expansion port supports multiple A&H digital protocols, offering access to 128x128 digital channels for remote preamp control of expanders, ME Personal Mixing Systems, and connection to other A&H mixers. A Dante variant offers up to 16x16 channels of connectivity to a Dante network at 48/96kHz, with a dedicated EtherCON connection for control messaging. Input channels feature Polarity, Trim, High Pass Filter, Gate, Insert, Parametric EQ, Compressor, Delay, Pan/Balance. FX Return channels feature Parametric EQ, Pan/Balance. Mix channels feature Insert, Graphic EQ or Feedback Assistant, Parametric EQ, Compressor, Delay, Balance. 6 user-assignable effect racks provide FX emulations, configurable as send/return or inserted. A Feedback Assistant detects feedback across up to 8 outputs and applies up to 16 filters. A Gain Assistant helps set and monitor preamp gain.

Advanced Features and Processing

The mixer supports insertion of Allen & Heath DEEP processing models without affecting latency. A 32-channel Automatic Mic Mixer is provided for automatic gain assignment in spoken word applications. The system includes 8 DCA groups and 8 Mute groups. A Talkback facility offers on-screen status indication and options for latching and HPF. A signal generator provides variable level signals (Sine, White Noise, Pink Noise, Band-Pass) to any output mix. Comprehensive on-screen metering is available for inputs, outputs, FX, and RTA. A PAFL sub-mix is provided for monitoring. Signal delays are adjustable in Milliseconds, Meters, or Feet. MIDI Transport Control is available via the touchscreen and SoftKeys. MIDI messaging uses NRPN for core parameters, with scene recall respecting standard MIDI messages. A Fast Ethernet (100 Mbit/s) port supports live mixing control via apps and MIDI over TCP/IP. Input and output channel processing parameters can be saved as user library items and archived with Show files, transferable via USB. The mixer can save 300 named scenes. Channel 'safes' prevent accidental changes. Password protection allows for multiple user levels. The system periodically records settings and returns to the last state after reboot. It features a built-in power supply (100-240V AC) and a two-pole push-button switch. Recommended operating temperature is 5 to 40 degrees Celsius. Models are available in 3 frame sizes: Qu-5/Qu-5D, Qu-6/Qu-6D, and Qu-7/Qu-7D, each with a Dante-capable variant.

Dimensions

Unit Dimensions: Width: 609 mm (24"), Depth: 476 mm (18.7"), Height: 213 mm (8.4").

Packed Dimensions: Width: 740 mm (29.2"), Depth: 640 mm (25.2"), Height: 310 mm (12.2").

Weights: Unit only: 13.5 kg (29.8 lbs). Packed: 16.5 kg (36.4 lbs).

Block Diagram Description

The system block diagram illustrates the signal flow for the Qu-5/Qu-5D, Qu-6/Qu-6D, and Qu-7/Qu-7D mixers, featuring 38 inputs and 28 buses powered by the XCVI Core. It details the signal path from Local Input Sockets (Mic/Line, Line ST/ST2) through the Input Channel processing (Trim, HPF, Gate, PEQ, Comp, Delay, AMM, Insert) to various outputs like LR, Group, Aux, FX, and Direct Out. The Input Patch section handles USB-C, USB-A, and SDHC sources. FX Send (x4) and FX Return (x6) units are shown, along with 6 Multi-FX Engines. The Mix Channel processing (Group, Aux, MainLR) includes GEQ, FBA, PEQ, Comp, Delay, and Insert. Matrix Mix Channels (x4) have similar processing. Talkback functionality is integrated. The Output Patch section manages SLink Output Sockets, Dante (Qu-6D only), and Local Output Sockets (XLR, TRS, AES3). USB-C, USB-A, and SDHC are also shown as output destinations. The diagram highlights signal routing options, processing stages, and connectivity.

Technical Specifications