ALLEN & HEATH SQ-5 User Manual

 10
Reference Guide V1.5.0
4.2 Channel Types
Input channels – 48 input channels with processing. These can be sourced from local,
remote or digital connections, and mixed to any output.
Main LR – This is the main mix. All post-fader modes and options follow this mix.
Mix channels –12 stereo mix channels with processing that can be used as either
auxiliaries or groups.
FX sends – 4 FX send buses are included for use with the FX engines.
FX Returns – 8 stereo dedicated return channels for the FX engines.
Matrix – 3 stereo matrix buses that can be made up of a combination of other buses.
DCA – 8 ‘Digitally Controlled Amplifier’ channels for adjusting the level and mutes of
multiple channels with one set of controls.
MIDI – 32 channels which send MIDI control data using MIDI over USB and TCP/IP.
4.3 On-screen Parameters, Menus and Pop-ups
Adjustable parameters and selections – These are displayed as white text on a black
background. Values are displayed as text as well as in a bar.
Libraries – Where available, pressing the ‘Library’ key displays a library window,
allowing you to store or recall settings for things such as FX units, channel processing
or input patches. Presets are stored in the Factory library, and a User library is
provided to store your own settings. Libraries are also used to load FX units, through
the loading of a preset.
 Where a library is available, it is noted with the following symbol –
 See the full list of library types in the Libraries section.
Menu lists – With short lists, touch an option to select it. Longer lists can be navigated
by highlighting an option and using the touchscreen rotary to scroll through all
available options. Where it is not possible to select a list item (as in user permissions
lists for example) you may touch and drag on screen.
An ‘X’ is displayed to the top right of most pop-up menus, touch this to close the pop-
up.

ALLEN & HEATH SQ-5 Specifications

General

Mixing Channels	48
Local Mic/Line Inputs	16
USB Interface	Yes
Type	Digital Mixer
Inputs - Mic Preamps	16
Inputs - Line	16
Talkback	Yes
EQ Bands	4-band Parametric
I/O Expansion Slots	1
Effects Processors	8
Power Supply	Internal
Local Line Outputs	8
Touchscreen	7-inch Capacitive Touchscreen
Dante Option	Yes (with optional card)
Weight	10.5 kg
Effects	8 Stereo FX Engines
Data I/O	Ethernet
Computer Connectivity	USB, Ethernet
Faders	16
A/D Resolution	96kHz / 48kHz
Processing	96kHz
Connectivity	USB, Ethernet
USB Audio	32 x 32
Expansion	Optional Dante, Waves, SLink cards
Display	7-inch Capacitive Touchscreen

Summary

Important Information

Safety and Ventilation

Safety instructions, ventilation guidelines, and support information.

Firmware Updates and Apps

Procedures for updating firmware and app compatibility.

Introduction

Introduction to SQ Reference Guide

Overview of the manual's purpose and scope.

Updating Firmware

Firmware Update Procedure

Step-by-step guide to update SQ firmware via USB.

Operational Overview

Physical Control of the SQ

Explanation of keys, faders, encoders, and touchscreen controls.

Channel Types

Details on Input, Mix, FX, Matrix, DCA, and MIDI channels.

On-screen Parameters, Menus and Pop-ups

Navigating and interacting with on-screen elements.

On-screen Keyboard and Confirmation

On-screen keyboard usage and confirmation prompts.

On-screen Title bar

Information displayed in the top title bar.

Home Screen

Description of the initial screen and its functions.

Diagnostics

Accessing and viewing diagnostic information.

Basic Workflow Concepts

Core operational concepts and common tasks.

Screens Reference

Reference guide to screen keys and options.

Utility and I/O Screen Reference

Reference for utility and I/O screen functions.

Connections

Local Inputs and Outputs

Details on connecting local microphones, line sources, and outputs.

SLink, USB, Network, I/O Port, Footswitch

Explanations of SLink, USB, Network, I/O Port, and Footswitch connections.

I/O Patching

Patching Sources and Destinations

Guide to patching inputs and outputs.

Patching a Source to a Destination

How to enable patching and create connections.

Sequential Patching

Method for quick sequential patching.

Input Channel Patch Libraries

Using libraries for input channel patching.

Local Sockets, SLink Sockets, ME Systems

Details on local, SLink sockets, and ME systems.

USB-B and SQ-Drive Channels

Using USB-B and SQ-Drive for channels.

I/O Port Channels and Tie Lines

Patching I/O ports and using tie lines.

Socket Control

Controlling local and expander sockets.

Processing

Processing Overview

Overview of processing blocks and channel selection.

Preamp (Input Channels)

Selecting signal sources and preamp controls.

Channel Delay and Stereo Image

Channel delay and stereo image adjustments.

DEEP Preamp

Using DEEP preamp models for alternative characteristics.

Preamp (Mix Channels)

Using external inputs and delay for mix channels.

HPF (Input Channels)

High Pass Filter settings for input channels.

Gate (Input Channels)

Configuring gate side chain and parameters.

Gate Histogram

Gate histogram for activity analysis.

Insert

Configuring insert send, return, and operating level.

GEQ (Mix Channels)

Using faders for GEQ adjustment.

DEEP GEQ and RTA

Using DEEP GEQ models and RTA.

GEQ Types (Proportional-Q, Hybrid, Digi)

Details of Proportional-Q, Hybrid, and Digi GEQ.

PEQ

PEQ graphical display and RTA settings.

Compressor

Compressor side chain, modes, and soft knee.

Compressor Parameters and Graph

Compressor parameters, graph, and parallel compression.

Ducker Mode

Special compressor mode for level reduction.

DEEP Compressors

Using DEEP compressor models.

Routing

Routing Overview

Overview of channels with routing information.

DCA/Mute Group Assignment

Assigning channels to DCA or Mute groups.

Direct Out

Global direct out source and follow options.

Mix Send and Balance Settings

Settings for Main, Group, Aux, and FX sends.

DCA/Mute Groups

Assigning and viewing DCA/Mute Group members.

Send Levels and Mix Assignments

Displaying and adjusting sends/mix assignments.

CH to All Mix Key

Using CH to All Mix key for send level overview.

Matrices

Configuring and feeding matrix buses.

Metering

PAFL LED Meter

Metering for the PAFL bus and headphone output.

Input/FX/Mix/USB Meters

Metering displays for inputs, FX, mixes, and USB.

Chromatic Channel Metering

Customisable high-resolution channel metering.

RTA - Meters Screen

Using RTA in the Meters screen.

RTA - PEQ Screen

Using RTA within PEQ processing screens.

RTA - GEQ Fader Flip

RTA in GEQ Fader Flip mode.

Other Metering

Detailed metering, SQ-Drive, and Peak indicators.

FX Engines

Loading Units and Presets

How to load FX units and presets.

Adjusting Parameters

Adjusting parameters for each FX type.

Using FX Buses and Returns

Using FX buses and returns for signal routing.

Sending to FX from Other Sources

Sending mixes and inserting FX engines.

FX Levels and PEQ

FX levels, PEQ, and insert settings.

FX Screen Follow Sel

FX screen following channel selection.

RackExtra FX Types

Overview of available RackExtra FX types.

RackFX Add-ons

Details on additional RackFX units.

Saving and Recalling Shows/Scenes/Libraries

Shows vs. Scenes Overview

Distinction between Shows and Scenes for saving data.

Scene Manager

Managing scenes for storage, recall, and deletion.

Scene Copy, Paste, Delete & Filters

Managing scenes and applying filters.

Reset Mix Settings

Resetting mix settings to default.

Global Filters

Applying global filters to scene recalls.

Input/FX Filters

Filters for input and FX parameters.

Mix Filters

Filters for Group, Aux, Main, and Matrix mixes.

Other Filters

Filters for DCA/Mute Groups, Sockets, and Control.

Safes

Protecting channels from scene changes.

Libraries

Using Factory and User libraries.

USB Shows

Storing, recalling, and renaming shows via USB.

USB Scenes

Managing scenes via USB and SQ.

USB Libraries

Managing libraries via USB and SQ.

Sync

Entering sync mode for data transfer with SQ-MixPad.

Setup

Strip Assign

Assigning channels to fader strips.

Input/Mix Stereo Assign

Switching input/mix channels between mono and stereo.

Mix Bus Configuration

Configuring mix buses as groups or auxiliaries.

SoftKeys/SoftRotaries

Customizing surface controls with SoftKeys/Rotaries.

SoftKey Assignments

Overview of possible SoftKey assignments.

SoftRotary Assignments

Overview of possible SoftRotary assignments.

Footswitch

Connecting and assigning footswitches.

Surface Preferences

Configuring surface preferences and settings.

Channel Delay Controls and Brightness

Setting delay units and adjusting brightness.

PAFL

Configuring Pre/After Fade Listen settings.

PAFL Source Select and Trim

PAFL source selection, trim, delay, and listen level.

Talkback Settings

Configuring talkback source and mix assignments.

Signal Generator

Using the signal generator for setup and testing.

Audio Sync and AES Sample Rate

Configuring audio clock source and AES output sample rate.

I/O Port

Managing option cards in the I/O port.

USB Options

Switching USB modes and setting sample rate.

Mixer Role and Master Fader Mode

Selecting mixer role and master fader mode.

DCA Spill

Temporarily displaying DCA members on channel strips.

Input Ganging

Linking attributes across multiple input channels.

Network Setup

Configuring network settings (DHCP, static IP).

User Permissions

Managing user names, passwords, and activation.

User Permissions Library

Managing user permissions via library.

Permissions

Allowing or blocking parameters and features per user.

SQ-Drive and USB-B

USB Mode and Sample Rate

Switching USB modes and setting sample rate.

SQ-Drive Stereo Recording and Playback

Steps for stereo recording using SQ-Drive.

Stereo Playback

Steps for stereo playback using SQ-Drive.

SQ-Drive Multitrack Recording and Playback

Steps for multitrack recording using SQ-Drive.

Multitrack Playback

Steps for multitrack playback using SQ-Drive.

Connecting to a Computer

Connecting the SQ to a computer via USB.

MIDI and DAW Control

MIDI Channel and MMC

Setting MIDI channel and MMC controls.

MIDI Fader Strips

How MIDI fader strips transmit and respond to messages.

DAW Control

Using MIDI faders with DAW control driver.

MIDI from Soft Controls

Transmitting MIDI from Soft Rotaries/Keys.

Automatic Microphone Mixing (AMM)

AMM Input Assign

Assigning input channels to AMM.

AMM Overview

Overview of AMM slots, levels, and on/off status.

AMM Setup

AMM setup including sidechain filters.

Add-ons

Available Add-ons

List of available optional add-ons for SQ.

Activating an Add-on

Steps to activate purchased add-ons.

Mix/System Reset

Reset Mix Settings

Resetting mix settings to default roles.

Reset Mix Settings: Standard

Default settings for the Standard mix reset.

Reset Mix Settings: Monitor

Default settings for the Monitor mix reset.

System Reset

Performing a full system reset.

Fader Calibration

Calibrating faders for proper operation.

Block Diagrams

Input Channel Block Diagram

Block diagram for input channels.

Mix Master Block Diagram

Block diagram for mix masters.

Matrix Master Block Diagram

Block diagram for matrix masters.

FX Send, Return, Talkback, Signal Gen, PFL/AFL Diagrams

Block diagrams for FX, Talkback, Signal Gen, PFL/AFL.

Specifications

Mic/Line, Stereo Line, and Output Specifications

Specs for inputs and outputs.

AES Digital Output Specifications

Specs for AES digital output.

SLink, I/O Port, and System Specifications

Specs for SLink, I/O Port, and general system.

Input Processing Specifications

Specs for input processing (Source, Trim, HPF, etc.).

Mix Processing, FX, Audio Tools, AMMs, Add-ons Specs

Specs for mix processing, FX, audio tools, AMMs, add-ons.

USB Audio and Size/Weight Specifications

Specs for USB audio and physical dimensions.

Warranty Information

Warranty Details and Conditions

Details of the one-year manufacturer's warranty and terms.