Getting Started Guide For Firmware Version V1.9 Before starting please check www.allen-heath.com for the latest Qu mixer firmware and documentation.
Limited One Year Manufacturer’s Warranty Allen & Heath warrants the Allen &Heath -branded hardware product and accessories contained in the original packaging ("Allen & Heath Product”) against defects in materials and workmanship when used in accordance with Allen & Heath's user manuals, technical specifications and other Allen & Heath product published guidelines for a period of ONE (1) YEAR from the date of original purchase by the end-user purchaser ("Warranty Period").
IMPORTANT - Read these instructions before starting: Safety instructions Before starting, read the Important Safety Instructions printed on the sheet 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-Pac Mixer Getting Started Guide AP10025 Safety Sheet Mains lead AP9240/CL-1 • Check • Read this before starting this is correct for your territory Options and Accessories available Remote Audio Racks Provides remote audio over dSNAKE Cat5 cable digital snake.
2. Contents 1. Packed contents .............................................................................................................................. 4 2. Contents .......................................................................................................................................... 5 3. Introduction to the Qu Series ........................................................................................................... 6 3.1 Differences between the Qu models ............
3. Introduction to the Qu Series Building on the heritage of the GLD and flagship iLive digital consoles, the Qu Series 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 and patching, built-in automatic mic mixer, USB streaming and direct to hard drive multitrack recording, digital snake capability and remote wireless control using an iPad.
3.1 Differences between the Qu models All Qu mixers operate in the same way and have a similar touch screen menu structure. The larger models add Groups and Matrix.
Qu-16 Qu-24 24 Mic/Line in 16 Mic/Line in 24 out, 22 in USB audio streaming 32 out, 30 in USB audio streaming 4 Group out Matrix out Qu-32 32 Mic/Line in 32 out, 32 in USB audio streaming 8 Group out Matrix out AudioRacks - All models are compatible with the optional Allen & Heath AB168, AR2412 and AR84 AudioRacks. These provide remote mic inputs and line outputs that connect to the mixer using a Cat5 ‘digital snake’ cable up to 100m long.
4. 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. The unique shape of the Qu aids heat management without the need for a fan. It also provides a convenient space to put things when desk area is limited. 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 casing, installing or operating the mixer flight.
5. Rear Panel This shows the Qu-16 rear panel. The Qu-24 and Qu-32 are similar but include Group and Matrix outputs. 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 5.1 Connecting and powering up the mixer If you are using a remote AudioRack then connect it with a Cat5 digital snake.
6. Front Panel This shows the Qu-16 front panel. The Qu-24 and Qu-32 are similar but include more fader strips, Group mix select keys, more SoftKeys and an iPad tray. Touch Screen SuperStrip TouchChannel Screen select Qu-Drive USB port Fader Flip Engineer’s monitor Copy/Paste/Reset Function key (Fn) Mix assign SoftKeys Layer select Master Strip Fader Strips Mix select Mix keys Channel select Sel keys Fader Strips - These provide access to the input and master channel levels and processing.
7. Audio Signal Processing The following diagrams illustrate the Qu signal flow and processing. The Qu-24 and Qu-32 include Group and Matrix mixes. All models include a built-in automatic mic mixer (AMM) for the first 16 channels. A more detailed diagram and further information is available within the Qu Mixer Reference Guide which can be downloaded from the Allen & Heath website.
8. Wireless Control The Allen & Heath Qu-Pad, Qu-Control and Qu-You apps are available free from the Apple Store for iOS devices including iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. Qu-You is also available for Android devices. Set up the Qu wireless network - For best performance use a dual band (2.4 and 5GHz) wireless router (wireless access point) with auto channel selection. Position it high up to avoid obstacles such as people and equipment.
9. Qu-Start This section provides a quick guide to get you started setting up and mixing with Qu. For more information please refer to other sections in this guide and to the Qu Mixer Reference Guide available for download from www.allen-heath.com/key-series/qu-series. 9.1 Things to check before starting Mixer firmware version – View current version on the Home screen. Go to www.allen-heath/key-series/qu-series to check you are running the latest version.
9.3 Prepare the mixer for your session Touch to name Patch input sockets Name the channels and masters – Working from your plot sheet, use the mixer Processing screens to enter names with up to 6 characters. Touch the name to open the keypad. The Qu-Pad app can also be used to enter names. Choose the sources for the channels – You can choose one of 3 sources for each mono and stereo channel – Local (rear panel) socket, dSNAKE (remote) socket, or USB (playback). The reset default is Local inputs patched.
Patching – The reset default patch is a simple one-to-one mapping of local sockets to the channels, and a traditional patch of outputs suitable for the typical PA application. However, Qu offers flexible patching letting you route signals anywhere you want. Many of the patching screens use the Fn key as a ‘+1’ increment to let you quickly step through a range of sockets. Most require confirmation to Apply or Cancel the changes you make.
9.4 Set a starting point for processing and mix parameters Start by using the Processing screen Preamp page Linking button to link parameters for any odd/even stereo pairs of channels you may need. For example, stereo keyboards or backing tracks. Adjusting Pan on one channel will set the width for the pair.
9.5 Save the settings Scene memories – Once you have set up the mixer ready for the session, go to the Scenes screen to name and store the current mix settings as a scene. You could name and store a scene as a template starting point for future shows, for each band after you sound check them, theatre show cues, recording sessions and so on. You can store up to 100 scenes within the Qu mixer. You can copy and clear existing scenes. To copy a scene hold down the Copy key and touch a scene in the list.
9.6 Mixing with Qu-16, Qu-24 and Qu-32 Press a green Sel key to work with channel processing and pan using the SuperStrip controls. Press Fader Flip to work with the mix GEQ using the faders. Press the Processing key and touch the top part of the screen to access preamp and processing parameters for the selected channel using the screen. Press the Routing key to access routing parameters for the selected channel. Press the Fn key to work with DCA and Mute Group assignments and masters.
Processing screen – This screen lets you work with the processing for the selected channel or master. Touch the top part to open the related parameters in the section below. The top part can also be used with the Copy/Paste/Reset keys to quickly copy or reset different processing blocks. Touch a parameter box to highlight it, then use the rotary control to change its value.
9.8 USB recording and playback USB B Streaming – Connect an Apple® Mac or Windows® PC computer to the rear panel USB B port to stream up to 32 channels of audio in both directions and send MIDI messages. You can download the Allen & Heath DAW Control driver (for Mac computer only) to convert the Qu MIDI Strip messages into HUI or Mackie Control protocol. Download the Allen & Heath Qu Windows driver to stream standard MIDI messages to a PC.
9.9 A few more functions Use the Signal Generator to test speakers - After plugging up the PA check that all the amplifier and speaker levels are correctly set. Turn the system on in the correct sequence: Start with the level turned down Turn the mixer on first, amplifier/speakers on last. Pink noise is an excellent source for testing speakers. It generates equal energy per octave across all frequencies.
10.Resetting the Mixer There are two ways to reset the Qu settings to give you a known starting point: 10.1 Reset Mix Settings – A starting point for mixing This button in the Scenes screen instantly 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 saved in scenes are reset to a factory default to ‘zero the board’ ready for the new mixing session.
Qu Mixer Getting Started Guide 24 AP10025 iss2
