Allen & Heath SQ-5 Digital Mixing Console

Professional Power in a Portable Package

If you’ve been held back by budget digital mixers that compromise on sound quality, build integrity, or workflow efficiency, the Allen & Heath SQ-5 Digital Mixing Console is the solution you’ve been searching for. This compact powerhouse delivers the same acclaimed 96kHz XCVI FPGA processing found in Allen & Heath’s flagship dLive series, bringing professional-grade audio performance to venues, studios, and touring applications where space and reliability are equally critical.

The SQ-5 puts 48 input channels of pristine processing at your command through an intuitive control surface centered around a vibrant 7-inch capacitive touchscreen. With 17 motorized faders across six customizable layers, you get comprehensive hands-on control in a 19-inch rack-mountable chassis that’s perfect for portable production racks, small control rooms, or venues where space is at a premium. Engineers consistently praise the SQ-5’s remarkably clean preamps and outstanding sonic character — a noticeable upgrade from similarly priced competitors.

Workflow That Works for You

What truly sets the SQ-5 apart is its flexible, drag-and-drop workflow. Assign any channel to any fader, create custom color coding across channel strips, and build a mixing environment that mirrors exactly how you work. The patented Chromatic Channel Metering system gives you at-a-glance level indication with variable brightness and color, making it easy to spot issues across your entire mix instantly. Eight assignable SoftKeys let you map frequently-used functions to dedicated buttons, streamlining your workflow during high-pressure live situations.

Navigation is remarkably intuitive compared to other digital consoles in this class. Everything feels logical and within reach — from channel processing to effects routing. The learning curve is gentle enough for engineers transitioning from analog, yet the depth is there for seasoned digital mixing veterans who need advanced routing and processing options.

Recording and Playback Built Right In

The integrated recording capabilities make the SQ-5 incredibly versatile. The built-in SQ-Drive lets you capture up to 16 channels at 96kHz or 32 channels at 48kHz directly to a USB flash drive or hard drive — no computer, no software setup, no driver headaches. Just plug in your USB storage and hit record. For DAW integration, the 32×32 USB audio interface operates at full 96kHz resolution, functioning as a plug-and-play Core Audio or ASIO compliant interface for multitrack recording, virtual soundchecks, and backing track playback.

Monitor Mixing Excellence

For in-ear monitoring applications, the SQ-5 is hard to beat. Twelve stereo mixes give you extensive flexibility for complex monitor setups, and each mix features both parametric and 28-band graphic EQ along with compression. With system latency under 0.7ms — regardless of how much processing you engage — the SQ-5 is ideal for touring musicians and monitor engineers who need precise, zero-delay audio. The mixer is fully compatible with Allen & Heath’s ME Personal Mixing System, letting performers take control of their own monitor mixes via ME-1 or ME-500 personal mixers daisy-chained from the SLink port.

Pro-Level Processing and Effects

Every input channel comes equipped with comprehensive processing: high-pass filter, lightning-fast gate with sidechain filter, musical 4-band parametric EQ with real-time analyzer, and Peak/RMS compressor. Eight stereo FX engines provide access to the acclaimed RackExtra library, featuring emulations of legendary reverbs, delays, modulators, and more — each with its own dedicated stereo return so you don’t consume valuable input channels.

The SQ-5 is also DEEP-ready, meaning you can add optional boutique preamp and compressor emulations that embed directly into channels with zero added latency. This opens up a world of vintage tonal possibilities without the expense or fragility of maintaining actual vintage hardware.

Expand as You Grow

Thanks to the intelligent SLink port, you can scale the SQ-5 up to 48 mic inputs using Allen & Heath’s dSnake stage boxes and expanders from the AB168, DX168, GX4816, AR2412, or AR84 families. The system handles all sample rate conversion automatically, so you can integrate 48kHz hardware seamlessly with the SQ-5’s 96kHz core — perfect for upgrading existing systems piece by piece without replacing everything at once.

Install an optional Dante or Waves networking card in the I/O port, and you open up 64×64 channels of digital connectivity for complex installed systems, FOH/monitor splits, or integration with broadcast and recording infrastructures. Two fully independent 24-channel automatic mic mixers make the SQ-5 particularly valuable for conferences, panel discussions, and multi-microphone broadcast applications, intelligently managing levels with no added latency.

Built to Last

The SQ-5 features Allen & Heath’s robust three-tier all-metal chassis construction with an extruded aluminum light bar, delivering tremendous strength and rigidity while maintaining portability. This is a mixer built to handle the rigors of touring and repeated load-ins, not a fragile piece of studio gear that needs babying. Optional rack ears (sold separately) make integration into production racks straightforward, occupying 12U of rack space.

With free remote control via the SQ MixPad app for iPad, Android, Mac, or PC, plus SQ4You for performer-controlled monitor mixing, the Allen & Heath SQ-5 delivers professional mixing capability, stunning audio quality, and remarkable flexibility in a compact, tour-ready package that fits where larger consoles simply can’t go.