Allen & Heath QU-24C 30-In/24-Out Digital Audio Mixer – Chrome Edition

With its responsive touchscreen, 25 motor faders and acclaimed AnalogiQ recallable preamps, Qu-24 combines exceptional ease of use with class-leading audio performance. Drawing on the technologies and workflow pioneered on our GLD and iLive touring systems, Qu makes Allen & Heath digital mixing more accessible and more compact than ever.

Qu V1.8 Chrome firmware adds hot new features, including Automatic Mic Mixing, more monitor mixes and a Spectrogram for feedback-hunting. Qu Chrome Edition models will also feature upgraded, high contrast metallic finish controls.

AnalogiQ Preamps
Qu-24’s twenty four AnalogiQ total recall preamps feature zero crossing detection and an advanced padless 1dB step gain stage, closely allied to the DSP for optimal gain accuracy and audio transparency. The analogue signal is captured by high class, low latency 24bit analogue to digital converters matched to high quality 24bit digital to analogue converters to deliver the required outputs. The AnalogiQ design has been refined over many months to offer superb transparency, minimal distortion and an ultra-low noise floor, with a warm, musical sound that is missing from some digital consoles.

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 our team has drawn upon to deliver a wonderfully natural layout and workflow. It’s not about recreating an analogue 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 colour Touchscreen and its dedicated data encoder form the heart of the Qu interface, providing super-fast, easy access to all settings. The user-friendly interface has been designed with clarity in mind. Dedicated keys and screen tabs quickly 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 precious commodity 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.

Features:

• 24 Mic / Line Inputs (TRS + XLR)
• 25 Motor Faders
• 3 Stereo Inputs (TRS)
• 4 Stereo FX Returns
• 20 Mix Outputs (XLR)
• 2 Stereo Groups (switchable to Mix mode)
• Up to 9 Monitor Mixes (4 mono + 5 stereo)
• 2 Stereo Matrix Outs
• 4 Mute Groups
• 4 FX Engines
• 4 FX Sends / Returns
• 10 Soft Keys
• USB Audio Streaming
• DAW MIDI Control
• AES Digital Out
• Recallable AnaLOGIQ Preamps
• Qu-Drive direct Multitrack Recording / Playback on USB drives
• 800×480 Touchscreen
• iLive FX Library
• dSNAKE Remote Audio Port
• Automatic Mic Mixer
• Compatible with ME Personal Mixing System
• Qu-Pad iPad App
• Trim, polarity, HPF, gate, insert, 4-band PEQ, compressor and delay on all Inputs
• Insert, 4-band PEQ, 1/3 octave GEQ, compressor and delay on all Mix outputs
• Built-in Signal Generator
• RTA with Peak Band indication
• Spectrogram to aid with feedback elimination and taming room acoustics
• High contrast metallic finish controls, matching premium GLD Chrome series