Allen & Heath Qu-16 Service Manual
This document provides essential information for servicing the Allen & Heath Qu-16 digital mixer.
Contents
Limited One Year Warranty
This product is warranted to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase by the original owner. To ensure a high level of performance and reliability, read the User Guide before operating. In case of failure, notify and return the defective unit to Allen & Heath Limited or its authorized agent as soon as possible for repair under warranty, subject to the following conditions:
Conditions of Warranty
- The equipment has been installed and operated in accordance with the instructions in the User Guide.
- The equipment has not been subject to misuse, neglect, or alteration other than as described in the User Guide or Service Manual, or approved by Allen & Heath.
- Any necessary adjustment, alteration, or repair has been carried out by Allen & Heath or its authorized agent.
- This warranty does not cover fader wear and tear.
- The defective unit is to be returned carriage prepaid to Allen & Heath or its authorized agent with proof of purchase.
- Units returned should be packed to avoid transit damage.
- In certain territories, the terms may vary. Check with your Allen & Heath agent for any additional warranty that may apply.
For further assistance, please contact your distributor or territory representative.
Servicing Precautions – General Notes
Service personnel:
Service work should only be carried out by technically qualified service personnel. Mains power is dangerous and can kill. Do not attempt to work on a linear or switched mode power supply if you are not suitably qualified. Do not attempt to repair surface mount circuit assemblies unless you are suitably qualified and have the necessary facilities. Replacement circuit assemblies can be ordered.
Service facilities:
Ensure a suitably sized work surface is available, clear of dirt, debris, and obstructions. Ensure adequate lighting. Use the correct tools for the job and ensure they are in good working order. Adhere to all workshop safety requirements.
Service information:
Check that you have all the information needed before starting the service job. Refer to the Allen & Heath website or contact Allen & Heath technical support for the latest information. Full technical information can be downloaded from the website Distributor Zone (password required).
Mains power:
Connect the equipment to mains power only of the type described in the user guide and marked on the rear panel. The power source must provide a good ground connection. Always use an isolation transformer when working on any mains power supply unit.
Mains cord and fuse:
Use the correct power cord supplied with the equipment. Do not remove or tamper with the ground connection in the power cord. Heed the Important Mains Plug Wiring Instructions printed in the user guide if it is necessary to re-wire the mains cord. Always replace the equipment mains fuse with the correct type and rating as described in the user guide and marked on the equipment panel.
Opening the unit:
Switch off and remove the mains power cord before opening the equipment. Ensure all power supply covers and safety shields are in place before applying power with the unit open for diagnostic fault finding.
Closing the unit:
Before finishing, check the quality and accuracy of the service work. Remove any dirt or debris that may cause equipment failure. Ensure all assemblies, harnesses, and connectors are correctly aligned and plugged in. Ensure that jumper settings and control configurations are correctly set according to the customer's requirements.
Testing the unit:
Before operating the equipment, read and adhere to the Important Safety Instructions printed in the user guide. Test that the service work has been successfully carried out.
Shipping the unit:
Use adequate packing, such as the original packaging or a purpose-designed flight case, if you need to ship the unit. To avoid injury or damage to the equipment, take care when lifting, moving, or carrying the equipment.
Operation:
To test the console, ensure it is connected as described in the user guide. Check that the voltage setting marked on the rear panel is correct for the local mains supply.
Fault finding:
For effective fault diagnosis, trace the signal flow through the circuit path. Refer to the system block diagram. Replacement circuit assemblies are available from Allen & Heath.
Schematics:
Allen & Heath does not publish schematics that contain digital audio and control circuitry.
Parts Identification:
A Parts Identification document is published separately on the Technical Resources tab, available when logged in as a distributor.
Remove base
The base is secured by several screws. Remove these screws to detach the base.
A visual representation shows the underside of the mixer with arrows pointing to screw locations for base removal.
Disconnect internal cables and harnesses
Several internal harnesses and cables connect different components of the mixer. Carefully disconnect these as indicated in the diagrams.
Diagrams show specific connectors and ribbon cables that need to be disconnected.
Remove fader PCB
The fader Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is secured by screws. Remove the screws and carefully lift the PCB.
A visual representation shows the top of the mixer with arrows indicating screw locations for fader PCB removal.
Remove CPU PCB
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) PCB is mounted within the mixer. Remove the screws securing the CPU PCB and disconnect any attached cables before removal.
A diagram illustrates the CPU PCB with arrows pointing to screw locations.
Remove Mix select PCB
The Mix select PCB is a component within the mixer. Remove the screws that hold this PCB in place.
A diagram shows the location of the Mix select PCB and the screws to be removed.
Remove Channel PCB
The Channel PCB is a significant part of the mixer's circuitry. It is secured by multiple screws. Remove these screws, noting any components that should not be removed.
A diagram highlights the Channel PCB and indicates screw locations, with a specific instruction not to remove certain components.
Touch Screen
When handling the touch screen, do not remove the adhesive protector. The screen is designed to stick to the mixer without the protector.
A visual shows a hand peeling off an adhesive protector, with a green checkmark indicating the correct procedure. Another visual shows a hand attempting to remove the screen itself, with a red 'X' indicating an incorrect procedure.
Remove Audio PCB and Connector PCB
The Audio PCB and Connector PCB are located at the rear of the mixer. To remove them, first remove the jack nuts and XLR screws.
A diagram of the rear panel shows the locations of jack nuts and XLR screws to be removed. An instruction indicates not to remove a specific connector.
Cut cable tie and disconnect PSU harness
Locate the cable tie securing the Power Supply Unit (PSU) harness and cut it. Then, disconnect the PSU harness.
A diagram shows a pair of scissors cutting a cable tie near a connector, and arrows indicating the disconnection point of the PSU harness.
Remove Audio PCB and Connector PCB
The Audio PCB and Connector PCB are accessed from the rear. Remove the screws securing these boards.
A visual shows the internal components of the mixer, with arrows pointing to screw locations for the removal of the Audio and Connector PCBs.
Remove PSU
The Power Supply Unit (PSU) is secured by screws. Remove the screws to detach the PSU. Additionally, remove the jack nut securing the PSU connection.
Diagrams show the PSU location and the screws and nut to be removed.
Remove shield
A metal shield is attached to the mixer. Remove the screws that secure this shield.
A diagram shows the mixer's rear panel with arrows pointing to the screws holding the shield.
Remove sides
The side panels of the mixer are secured by screws. Remove these screws to detach the side panels.
Diagrams show the rear and side views of the mixer, with arrows indicating the screw locations for removing the side panels.
System Block Diagram
The following diagram illustrates the system architecture:
A block diagram shows the flow of information and control within the Qu-16 mixer. Key components include CPU, Layer Manager, Surface Manager, Mix Manager, DSP Manager, and Monitor Manager. It also indicates memory types like Real-time memory, Non-Volatile FLASH, and SDRAM, and their functions such as storing settings and powering the touch screen display. Mute states are also represented.
