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Limited One Year Manufacturer’s Warranty This product is warranted to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for period of one year from the date of purchase by the original owner. To ensure a high level of performance and reliability for which this equipment has been designed and manufactured, read this User Guide before operating. In the event of a failure, notify and return the defective unit to the place of purchase.
IMPORTANT - Read these instructions before starting: Safety instructions Before starting, read the Important Safety Instructions printed on the sheets supplied with the equipment. For your own safety and that of the operator, technical crew and performers, follow all instructions and heed all warnings printed on the sheet and on the equipment panels. System operating firmware The function of the Qu mixer is determined by the firmware (operating software) that runs it.
1. Packed contents Qu Mixer User Guide AP9372 Safety Sheets AP3345 – English AP7287 – French AP8513 – Chinese Mains lead • Check this is correct for your territory • Read this before starting Options and Accessories available Remote AudioRacks Provides remote audio over dSNAKE Cat5 cable digital snake. AR2412 24 Mic/Line in, 12 Line out AR84 8 Mic/Line in, 4 Line out Part: GLD-AR2412 Part: GLD-AR0804 19” Rack Ear Kit for Qu-16 To mount the Qu-16 in a standard 19” rack or flightcase.
2. Contents 1. Packed contents ................................................................................................................................. 4 2. Contents .............................................................................................................................................. 5 3. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 7 3.1 Overview and Features ....
8.7 Control Setup - MIDI ................................................................................................................ 44 8.8 USB Data – Scene Transfer ..................................................................................................... 45 8.9 USB Data – Library transfer ..................................................................................................... 45 8.10 USB Data – Show transfer ..............................................................
3. Introduction 3.1 Overview and Features Building on the heritage of the GLD and flagship iLive digital consoles, the Qu presents exceptional performance together with an intuitive analogue style user interface with a motorised fader per channel, knobs and touch screen, total recall of all settings, full input, output and FX processing, USB streaming and hard drive multitrack recording, digital snake capability and remote wireless control using an iPad.
3.2 System Architecture and Processing The following diagrams show the Qu-16 and Qu-24 I/O (inputs and outputs), audio architecture and processing available. The differences between the models and the routing capability of each processing section is illustrated. Refer also to the more detailed System Block Diagrams at the rear of this guide.
3.3 Differences between the Qu-16 and Qu-24 Both models operate in the same way and have a similar touch screen menu structure. The larger model adds Groups and Matrix.
4. Connection Overview The following connections are available on the rear panel of the Qu mixer. The Qu-16 is shown here. AES digital out Lamp Alt out 2Trk out LR main out Analogue Mix outputs Mic and Line inputs Talkback Mic in ST1 and ST2 stereo line in Kensington Lock Cable clamp dSNAKE remote audio Power On/Off Network USB B streaming Mains fuse Mains power input 4.
4.2 Local Output Connections Group, Mix, Matrix outputs – Balanced XLR line level outputs for the mono and stereo mixes, for example to feed monitor amplifiers, external processing devices, delay fill speaker systems and recording devices. These use low impedance, high quality differential driver circuits for connection to +4 or 0dBu equipment. Maximum output is +22dBu. Pin2 = hot Professional equipment provides ‘balanced’ connections for maximum interference rejection over long cable runs.
4.4 Powering up the mixer The Qu mixer has an internal universal voltage power supply unit. This means you can use your mixer in most parts of the world without the need to modify the unit as long the local mains supply is within the range: Mains Voltage = 100 to 240 V.AC Mains Frequency = 47 to 63Hz Important - Before starting, read the Safety Instructions Sheet packed with the mixer. These can also be downloaded from the Allen & Heath website.
5. Connecting dSNAKE Remote Audio The Qu mixer provides local sockets on its rear panel for all audio inputs and outputs. It can also work with remote audio by connecting over a single cable ‘digital snake’ to an Allen & Heath AudioRack, or to the Allen & Heath ME Personal Mixing System. 5.
5.2 Qu-16 and Qu-24 Systems The Qu mixer has sockets for all its inputs and outputs on its rear panel and can therefore be used without any additional rack. However, if you wish to use a digital snake to connect remote stage audio to the mixer using a single Cat5 cable then there are several rack options available. CH1-8 Inputs – Use the Preamp screen to choose either ‘Local’ or ‘dSNK’ (remote) for each channel source. Adding a rack does not expand the number of Qu channels available.
5.3 Connecting to the ME Personal Mixing System The Allen & Heath ME Personal Mixing System can be used with the Qu mixer. This provides customisable personal monitor control for individual musicians and performers on stage. ME-1 personal mixer – A compact personal mixer able to work with up to 40 channels. Features built-in headphones and monitor output. Intuitive and easy to operate, its 16 select keys can be configured to provide as much or as little control as the musician needs.
6. Operational Overview This section provides an overview of the Qu layout and operation to help you get started quickly. The smaller Qu-16 is shown here. Touch Screen SuperStrip TouchChannel Screen select Qu-Drive Fader Flip Engineer’s monitor Copy/Paste/reset Function key Mix assign SoftKeys Layer select Master Strip Fader Strips Mix select Mix keys Channel select Sel key 6.1 Fader Strips The Qu has a group of fader strips, one per channel.
Mute key – Press to turn off the channel audio signal. This affects the send to all mixes including LR, groups, effects and stage monitors. The Mute key lights red when the channel is muted. It flashes when it is muted by a Mute Group master. Sel key (select) – Press to access the Channel Processing. Parameters can be adjusted using the SuperStrip controls. The touch screen will display the settings and provide additional controls if either the Processing or Routing screen is active.
6.2 Channel Processing The SuperStrip provides familiar, analogue feel, one function per knob control of channel and mix master processing such as equalisers and dynamics. The Touch Screen displays the parameter values and provides additional related controls while in the Processing screen. This processing is accessed using the fader strip Sel keys.
Preamp An analogue preamplifier (‘head amp’) matches each connected microphone or line signal to the operating level of the console before it gets converted to digital to be processed and mixed with the other channels. Source lets you choose one of four sources as the input to the channel: Local – Mic/Line sockets on the Qu rear panel. dSNK – Remote preamps via dSNAKE. Qu-Drv – Playback from USB hard drive. USB B – Audio streaming from a Mac computer. Press the Fn key to open the Source Select screen.
Peak Gain Turn up Gain so that the average loud signal reads into the yellow of the meter. Turn down if any red peak light flashes. Polarity Touch Ø to reverse the polarity of the input signal, for example that of the lower mic when working with two microphones on a snare drum. Other functions in the Preamp section Insert switches an internal FX in or out if one has been patched into the channel. The button is disabled when the insert is not patched. The FX is inserted between the preamp and EQ.
HPF (high pass filter) The HPF is used to reduce unwanted low frequency sounds such as vocal popping, wind noise and stage rumble. Switch the HPF in using the In key. Use the panel rotary or screen button and rotary to sweep the cut-off frequency until you have reduced the unwanted sound. The filter has a 12dB slope and can be swept from 20Hz to 2kHz. The violet screen curve shows the resulting frequency response.
Use the In key to switch the compressor in and out and turn up Gain so that the average volume is similar. Attack sets how fast the compressor starts to work when the threshold is reached. Release sets how fast it stops compressing when the signal drops below the threshold. For example, adjust these to achieve a ‘punchy’ dynamic sound, or smooth out the response to reduce an audible ‘pumping’ effect. Two ‘knee’ settings are available.
Press the GEQ Fader Flip key to view and adjust the GEQ on the faders while a mono or the LR mix is selected. The screen highlights the active range of frequencies. Press the switch again to change range or return to normal mix mode. The faders toggle between the lower and higher ranges of frequencies with a useful overlap. The frequencies are shown on screen and marked on the panel above the faders. The fader strip Sel key turns on when the slider is at 0dB mid (flat) position while in fader flip mode.
6.6 Channel Routing The Touch Screen presents tabs to access the channel assignments and send levels when its fader strip Sel key is selected and the Touch Screen Routing screen is active. The Channel Block Pan control provides quick access to the related mix pan setting for the channel. The Fn key is used to access the Mute Group masters while in any Routing screen. 6.7 Working with the Routing screens: Press a fader strip Sel key. Press the Touch Screen Routing key.
Channel Mix Sends screen Use this screen to work with the sends and assignments from one channel to all the mixes. Each send can be set Pre or Post fader. It is typical to set monitor sends pre-fade so that the channel fader does not affect the monitor mixes, and to set effects and fill speaker sends post-fade so that their levels do follow the faders. The channel can be assigned (routed) On or Off to each mix. Touch the Level and Pan buttons and use the screen rotary to adjust their settings.
Mix Routing Select a mix master Sel key while the Routing screen is active to: Adjust the Output Balance between Left and Right of a stereo mix or LR. Choose the global Channel Source for the selected mix. This is the point in the channel signal path that feeds the mix. Post-Preamp Gain/Trim Insert Pre-EQ HPF GATE Post-EQ PEQ COMP Post-All DELAY 0 Choose Post-Preamp if you want the sources to the mix to not be affected by any of the channel processing.
6.10 Mute Groups The Qu features 4 Mute Groups. You can assign channels to a Mute Group so that pressing its master key will instantly mute all assigned channels. For example, mute all drum channels, mute all mics on stage during band changeover, or mute all FX returns between songs. Mute masters are accessed from the Home or any Routing screen, or using the SoftKeys.
6.12 The Master Strip Qu provides a dedicated fader strip for the Mix Masters. It presents the fader and controls for the mix currently selected using the Mix keys alongside. The sends to the selected mix are presented on the channel faders. They move to show the current settings. This provides a very quick way to access each mix without the need to switch to the Masters layer. Mute key – Press to turn off the mix master audio signal. The Mute key lights red when the audio is muted.
6.13 Working with the sends on faders: Select a Mix - Press a Mix key. The master strip presents the mix fader and controls. The channel faders move to present the sends to that mix. Adjust Send levels – For Mix and FX sends. Move the channel faders. These become the sends to the selected mix. Adjust Send pans - While a stereo Mix is selected, press a channel Sel key and use the Pan control to pan its send in the mix.
7. Touch Screen Mixing Functions The Qu features an 800x480 pixel, colour touch screen for quick and intuitive setup and control of the mix. Sel screens TouchChannel Touch to select each processing block Button Option menu Parameter box Other screens Status toolbar Function key Screen Rotary Edit keys Screen select keys Button – Touch to select its function or change its state.
Status Bar – This lower screen toolbar shows useful system information and is always visible. Fn key function - for example to show that the key is available to select a Library or Options page. Scene information – Shows the number and name of the current (Curr:) and next (Next:) scenes. Curr: is the last scene recalled. This is blank when the mixer powers up and only appears after a scene has been recalled. Next: is the scene highlighted in the Scenes list ready to be recalled.
7.2 The Sel screens – Processing and Routing Processing Screen – When selected this screen presents the processing such as Preamp, EQ, Gate, Compressor for the channel or master currently selected using its strip Sel key. Touch the top part of the screen to select the processing block you wish to view or adjust, for example Preamp or PEQ. This is known as the TouchChannel. The lower part of the screen changes to provide access to the related parameters and additional related controls.
7.5 Home Screen – Meters This screen provides a convenient view of all channel, mix and FX signal activity. For optimum performance the loudest signals should read into the yellow. If any red Peak meter flashes then reduce the level of that signal to avoid possible distortion. Increase levels if the meter readings are consistently low. The Qu-24 meters screen is shown here. The Qu-16 does not include Group and Matrix meters. 7.
Patch the source to be recorded using the Setup / Output Patch / USB Audio screen. Touch the track 17 box and turn the rotary to select the left source. Press the ‘+1’ Fn key to increment the right source to track 18, or use the rotary to select an unrelated source. Note Qu-Drive Stereo recording shares the same patch as Track 17-18 of the Qu-Drive multitrack recording and USB streaming. The record meter on the USB page displays the current source. The default is LR post-fade.
Qu-Drive Multitrack page – This screen presents the controls for multitrack recording to and playback from a USB hard drive plugged the top panel Qu-Drive port. The blue Stop button lights if the USB drive is recognised by the mixer. The controls are disabled if not plugged in or recognised.
7.8 The FX Qu features 4 internal stereo FX (effects) processors. Each can be loaded from a library of different effects types and presets. These are the same as found in the flagship Allen & Heath iLive digital mix system and are based on emulations of popular industry standard effects. The FX screen Press the FX key next to the Touch Screen to open the FX screen. You work with the FX in the same way you would with a traditional outboard rack. Start with an empty rack as shown here.
Symphonic Chorus - A faithful emulation of the 80’s classic chorus effect. Simple to use and frequently requested. The unit has just two controls, Frequency and Depth controlling the rate and delay range of the stereo modulator. The unit produces a rich, lively and wide chorus sound with a suggestion of very mild phasing / flanging. Live engineers commonly use this for thickening vocals and strings and creating a spatial sound from a mono source.
7.9 Working with FX – Adding vocal reverb: Press the FX key to open the FX screen. Touch to select FX1. Press the Fn key to open the Library page. Recall a Reverb into the FX1 slot if one is not already loaded. Open the Back Panel view and check that FX1 is set for Mix>Return with FX1 as its input. Start by turning up a vocal channel fader while the master strip LR mix is selected to hear the signal in the main PA mix. Select the top layer to view the FX Return channel strips.
7.10 Scene Memories Qu provides 100 Scene memories. These store and recall a snapshot of all live mixing parameters. Scenes have many applications. They can be used to store settings for bands during sound check for recall before they take to the stage during the show. Scenes can also be used for cue recall during theatre shows, or to provide a known starting point for different events or users in a multi-purpose venue.
Qu-16 The Global Filter screen A Recall Filter protects one or more parameter types for all channels. A scene stores all live mixing parameters. A Recall Filter can be set to protect (block) chosen parameters from being overwritten when the scene is recalled. The Global Filter protects parameters from being overwritten by any of the 100 scenes. Qu-24 A red dot o appears in the tab if one or more items have been blocked. Note – Only the Global Filter is available with firmware V1.3.
8. Touch Screen Setup Functions Press the Setup key next to the Touch Screen to open the Setup screens. Touch the top tabs to access the different categories of setup function. Touch the tabs below to open up the related options available. Dimmer – Turn the screen rotary while pressing and holding the Setup key to adjust the screen and surface LED brightness. 8.1 Audio Setup -PAFL Choose how you want PAFL to work: Additive mode – Select to listen to more than one channel at a time.
8.3 Audio Setup –Signal Generator Set up and assign the Signal Generator to test loudspeakers and align levels between equipment. Source – Touch to open the list of sources available: Sine – Pure tone with adjustable frequency. Set to 1kHz and use meters to match equipment levels. White Noise – Equal energy per Hz. Pink Noise – Filtered white noise for equal energy per octave. This is a good source to use for testing loudspeaker drivers and phase.
To select the Custom Layer press both Layer keys together. Turn on the ‘Custom layer only’ option if you want to lock out the two standard layers and let the operator work with just the Custom layer. Use the space provided to label the custom strips. 8.5 Control Setup - SoftKeys Qu-24 shown Qu-16 provides 4 SoftKeys. The Qu-24 provides 10 SoftKeys. These are called ‘Soft’ because they can be assigned to different functions by the user.
8.6 Control Setup - Network Use this screen set the TCP/IP address for the Network port and the name used to identify the Qu mixer on the network. It is important that the network address is compatible with the addresses of equipment connected to the port, for example a laptop providing MIDI control of mixer parameters, or a wireless router providing remote control using the Qu-Pad iPad app.
8.8 USB Data – Scene Transfer Individual Scenes can be transferred between Qu mixers via a USB device (key or drive) plugged into the Qu-Drive port. This provides a quick way to transfer settings without overwriting the current scenes and preferences. Make sure the USB device has been previously formatted using the Qu mixer Utility / Qu-Drive screen. The list on the left displays a list of scenes stored in the Qu mixer. The list on the right displays those found on the USB device.
8.10 USB Data – Show transfer Qu mixer settings can be stored to a USB device (key or drive) plugged into the Qu-Drive port. Data can be archived to computer and transferred between Qu mixers. A ‘Show’ stores all the Qu mixer settings and memories. It is stored as a set of files in a numbered folder on the USB device. Shows are not stored in the Qu mixer.
8.11 Output Patch Setup – Surface Use this screen to patch signals to the rear panel Alt Out and AES outputs. Touch a box to open up the list of available options. Changes are applied instantly. You can also touch outside the list to exit. Alt Out – Choose the source for the rear panel stereo Alt Out jacks. AES Out – Choose the source for the rear panel AES digital output. The reset default for both is LR postfade. Group and Matrix outputs are not available on the Qu-16. 8.
8.13 Output Patch Setup - Monitor This screen presents the patching of the dSNAKE remote audio outputs. This allows the Qu mixer to work with the Allen & Heath ME Personal Monitor mixing system. Qu-24 A ME-1 mixer or ME-U distribution hub can be plugged into any of these sockets: Qu rear panel dSNAKE port AR2412 MONITOR port AR2412 EXPANDER port There are 40 Monitor output channels. These have a fixed map and are not patchable.
8.14 Output Patch Setup – USB Audio This screen presents the patching of the USB audio outputs. This includes the Qu-Drive Stereo, Qu-Drive Multitrack and the USB B audio streaming.
8.16 Utility – Qu-Drive This screen lets you check and format a USB device (key or hard drive) for use with Qu-Drive. Once formatted you do not need to format it again. Note – Formatting the USB device will erase all current data on it. If you want to keep this then make sure you archive the data elsewhere first. Note – For reliable performance we recommend you first format your USB device using the Qu mixer Format utility. Once formatted use this with Qu only. Do not use the device for other applications.
8.17 Utility – Firmware Update The Qu mixer operating firmware can be easily updated using a USB device (key or drive). Make sure the USB device has been previously checked and formatted to work with the Qu mixer. If you need to format the device then use the Format facility in the Setup / Utility / Firmware screen. Step1 Download the firmware Visit the Allen & Heath web site and download the latest Qu firmware. Choose the firmware for your Qu mixer model. The file has a .
9. Working with a DAW The Qu mixer can stream audio and send MIDI messages to and from an Apple® Mac computer via the rear panel USB B port. This lets you work with a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) running on your computer. The Custom Layer can provide MIDI control faders and keys. You can work with the standard Qu MIDI messages or download the Allen & Heath DAW Control driver for the Mac computer to convert these into one of the popular HUI or Mackie Control protocols.
10. Qu-Pad iPad app Qu-Pad is an engineer's mixing tool providing wireless mobile control for the Qu mixer. It gives you the freedom to walk the room or stage and control the sound right where it is needed. Qu-Pad is intended for live mixing control, not for system setup or memory access.
11.Resetting the Mixer There are two ways to reset the Qu settings: 11.1 Reset Mix Settings – A starting point for mixing This button in the Scenes screen resets the mixer to a known starting point for mixing. It provides a quick way to reset the processing, mixes and patching before a show or after another user has finished with it. All parameters that can be stored in Scene memories are reset to a factory default. Parameters that are not stored in scenes are not affected.
11.2 System Hard Reset A power up reset is available if you need to fully reset the Qu mixer settings and memories. This could be done to clear the system out before sending the mixer to a client, or if you suspect a system problem. To reset mix parameters before starting a show or sound check, use a Scene or the Reset Mix Setting function described earlier in this guide. Note – A hard reset clears all current settings, all Scenes and all User Libraries.
12.Specifications Inputs Mic/Line Inputs 1-16 (Qu-16) 1-24 (Qu-24) Control Faders 100mm motorised Input Sensitivity (XLR / TRS) -60 to +10dBu / -50 to +20dBu Touch Screen 5" TFT, 800x480 resolution Analogue Gain -10 to +60dB, 1dB steps SoftKeys 4 (Qu-16), 10 (Qu-24) Maximum Input Level (XLR / TRS) +19dBu / +29dBu Mute Groups 4 Input Impedance (XLR / TRS) >5kΩ / >10 kΩ Network TCP/IP Ethernet for MIDI and iPad app THD+N, Unity gain 0dB 0.
Qu Mixer User Guide Global USB source CAT5 'digital snake' ST3 R ST2 L/M R ST1 L/M Line In Mic In USB dSNAKE ADC ADC ADC ADC + - + - ADC ADC Gain ADC + - + - + - LOCAL 48V 57 USB B Stream 24 ch AR84 AR2412 Stream 22 ch Stereo or Multitrack Stereo or Multitrack 18 ch RECORD Outputs Inputs Qu-Drive PLAYBACK Mic/Line 1-16 MUTE + - ADC GAIN Mic/Line Inputs 1-8 -20dB PAD 48V Skt1-16 = CH1-16 Skt17-22 = ST1-3 Mic/Line Inputs 1-16, ST 1-3 CH1-16 Insert ST1-3 Inse
Qu Mixer User Guide 58 + - + - + - + - + - LOCAL USB dSNAKE ADC ADC ADC ADC ADC ADC Gain ADC 48V USB B Stream 32 ch AR84 AR2412 Stream 30 ch Stereo or Multitrack Stereo or Multitrack RECORD Outputs Inputs Qu-Drive PLAYBACK CAT5 Global USB source ST3 R ST2 L/M R ST1 L/M Line In Mic In Mic/Line 1-24 + - 48V ADC GAIN Mic/Line Inputs 1-8 -20dB PAD FADER COMP Post-PEQ PEQ Talkback Mic Ready XLR Out 1-4 BAL + - + - Gain +4dBu Mix>Return FX 1-4 XLR Out
12.3 Mechanical Details The following provides information for mixer installation. The Qu mixer can be operated on a flat surface or fitted into a flightcase. The Qu-16 can be mounted in a 19” equipment rack or plinth. Ventilation - Make sure that air flow around the ventilation slots at the rear and underside of the mixer is not obstructed. Keep these areas clear when flight casing, installing or operating the mixer.
Qu Mixer User Guide 60 AP9372 iss.
