Allen & Heath Qu Series - Getting Started

QU Getting Started:

This video will give you an overview of the Qu layout and operation.

Qu-16 has 16 identical fader strips in one bank. Qu-24 has 24. These provide access to the input and master channel levels and processing.

There are three Layers. Press the lower key to access the Mono channels, the upper key to access the stereo channels, FX returns, FX send and Mix masters. Press both keys together to access the Custom Layer. The faders are motorised and instantly move to show the current settings.

The Mute key turns off the channel audio signal, including the send to all mixes and effects. Press the Select key to access the channel processing. Pan and other parameters can be adjusted using either the SuperStrip controls or the full colour touchscreen with dedicated Screen keys. Press the PAFL key to listen to a channel using headphones and check its level on the main meters. The strip meters let you keep an eye on signal levels by displaying channel levels before the fader and mute control. Peak lights red to warn that the signal is too hot and gain should be reduced. Peak senses the signal at several points within the channel.

Qu provides an extra, dedicated fader strip for the Mix Master currently selected using the Mix keys alongside. During normal operation this is set to the main LR mix and the other faders control the main level of the corresponding channels. Pressing another Mix key presents the sends to that mix or effect on the channel faders. Move a fader to adjust its send level. When a stereo Mix is active, the Pan rotary in the SuperStrip will control the channel send pan to the active mix.

Channels can be set pre or post-fade and assigned to the currently selected mix using the Select keys. Hold the Assign key to view and toggle the current assignments - the Select keys light when the channel is assigned to the mix. Similarly, hold the Pre Fade key to view and toggle the current pre/post fade settings - the Select keys light when set to pre-fade. It is typical to use pre-fade for monitor sends and post-fade for effects sends.

Alternative access to mix assignments and send levels for the currently selected channel is provided in the Routing screen. This also gives access to Direct Out global settings and Mute Group master controls and setup. To assign a single channel or effect to one of the four Mute Groups, use the Mute Group Assign tab. To assign multiple channels, press the Function key and select the tab for the Mute Group you wish to assign.

Mute masters can be accessed from the Home screen too, or assigned to the SoftKeys. Pressing a Mute master instantly mutes all assigned channels, for example all the drum kit, or all FX returns between songs. The Mute keys will flash red to show that the channel is muted by a Mute Group.

While mixing, the Meters screen provides a convenient view of all channel, mix and FX signal activity. For optimum performance the loudest signals should read into the yellow. Reduce the level to avoid distortion if any red Peak meter flashes. Increase levels if the meter readings are consistently low.

Finally, the RTA screen displays a Real Time Analyser of the frequency content of the signal currently monitored using the PAFL keys. This is a useful tool to help you identify problem frequencies such as room resonance and feedback.

Regardless of the screen you are in, the toolbar always displays useful information including the Current last recalled scene and Next scene as selected in the Scenes list, the behaviour of the Function key, a dSNAKE status icon to show connection of an AudioRack, a USB icon when a compatible USB drive is plugged in, and the Qu-Drive recording and playback transport status.

To safely shut down the mixer, touch Shut Down in the Home screen before pressing the On/Off power switch.

[elsanadigitalsolutions]

Hello, Thanks for your awesome work. I watched your videos and will like to ask you a question. I use a QU32. I sent all 32 channels over USB to my DAW and sent back the processed mix over the same USB to channels 31 and 32.
These channels were routed to my video switcher on mix 7-8.
The problem is that my mix 7-8 is also sending the unprocessed sound from all inputs instead of just sending 31 and 32 coming from the DAW. So I have a combination of processed and unprocessed sound coming from 7-8. How can I exclude channels 1 to 30 from mix 7-8?

Thanks.

[mikelo]

You should make new Xone 92 (or Xone DB series) with touch screen, compressor and other studio items. Or maybe without screen but accesible via iPad or by connecting computer. I dream about DJ mixer with Compressor and other studio set up tools.

[Ejje]

what do I do if I want the volume from 1 input to be raised or lowered in all monitors using 1 master fader? as it is now, I have to go into each specific input and mix channel to lower, for example, the vocal microphone in all monitors. i use qu-16.

[alicebrown]

This would be awesome if you could show how to plug in and what to plug in. I'm having a really hard time with this board. Is there someone that could walk me through the set up process at your company??

[TheSingingCelebrant]

Getting Started is Not an Overview. A Plug in Video for those of us with all but no knowledge base would be really appreciated

[LabourerEleven]

we recently bought this mixer and i have been looking for an EQ video to give me a guide but could not find any could you please help with this ASAP thank you

[flexiblemusica]

Help me please! How can I Hear Mix 1..etc? Although I select the other mixes, I always hear LR. Thanks

[sloggers]

Thanks for the video.  I am looking for a digital live board with recording capabilities.  This desk seems to have everything I'm looking for.  The only down side is that it seems to only support a MAC based DAW and I'm PC based.  I figure I can just use the USB out to record 18 tracks and then import them into Sonar.  Can I select which 18 tracks are ported to the USB out? Can I use a combination of mixes and groups as well as individual channels?  Thanks!

[jesuslover]

Looking to get this board but would need more beginner tutorials. I have no clue what's going on here. Any other helpful videos?

[harrykmr]

Am considering buying this to use with Cubase 11 Pro but would definitely benefit greatly from a video showing how to use Qu16 or 24 solely in a studio (Cubase) recording and mixing environment as opposed not live. Will be my first time with a digital mixer and therefore have some questions and reservations. Thanks

[ksagrypnos]

One question please someone who knows help.What kind of UPS I should use in order to protect it from current balances?
How many watts is the Q 24?

[onzkicg]

Is Allen Heath using dBFS in metering? I need advice which level is best for gain staging, with faders set to 0- some say I peak at 0, others say -12db.. any standard? Thanks 🙏

[ginntech]

Hello sir please tell me the servicing center for allan & health digital mixer in Delhi (india)

[thomaslayton]

Is it possible to have the audio play only into the head phones and not out the main audio (Qu 16)

[CPMTV]

If the channel is muted but PAFL is on can u still hear it through the headphones? thanks

[sochhenry]

how can i removed the effects from the RL when I'm playing a cd on the mixer using a single ch... plz help...

[jimijack]

Is this just overly complicated
or is this
basic for sound professionals

[Ejje]

what do I do if I want the volume from 1 input to be raised or lowered in all monitors using 1 master fader? as it is now, I have to go into each specific input and mix channel to lower, for example, the vocal microphone in all monitors. i use qu-16.

[ginntech]

Hello sir please tell me the servicing center for allan & health digital mixer in Delhi (india)