Allen & Heath SQ-5: hybrid panels and incoming scenes
Prepare room, call and recording destinations separately before reusing a file.
Start with the information you already have
Tell us the use, date and venue, even with an approximate brief. We can assess equipment, integration, preparation and technical support. Configuration, availability and terms are confirmed in the proposal.
SQ-5 and the required system
This page addresses SQ-5, not SQ5+. Separate processing channels from physical connections: it has 16 local preamps plus talkback and 12 XLR line outputs. The mixer combines local inputs and supported SLink, USB or optional-card sources. Identify installed hardware, firmware, expander and card; a control network socket does not establish Dante. Compare inputs, independent buses and computer connectivity for the conference.
Case 01: a hybrid panel with multiple destinations
- Label local voices, playback and far-end return. Plan LR for room sound, an aux to send local sources to the call minus its return, and a recording mix or isolated paths. Adapt this layout to the available buses and destinations.
- Check the pre/post point of each path and which mute controls affect it. A post-fader send follows channel level; a post-preamp recording Tie Line follows neither fader nor mute. If using Direct Out, check its global follow-fader and follow-mute settings. Decide between a program mix and unprocessed tracks.
- In Setup > Audio > USB, select USB-B for the computer or SQ-Drive for the intended path. SQ-Drive audio recording/playback cannot run at the same time as USB-B audio streaming. If the call uses USB-B, plan a compatible recording path rather than assuming SQ-Drive remains available. Test local voice, the remote participant and playback separately, monitoring the call and a played-back file. LR meters do not confirm those destinations.
Case 02: a scene from another operator
- Save the current show and check file version and origin. Protect outputs and agree on a time outside the program before loading the file or recalling a scene.
- Compare sockets, USB/SLink sources, preamp/phantom, buses, outputs, mutes and groups. Check global and scene filters: global filters take precedence and may prevent the expected recall.
- Rehearse scene recall and test one voice through each path. For missing audio, follow socket, channel, bus and output; restarting or replacing the full show is not the first test. Keep the previous file for recovery.
Service options
We can assess the mixer alone, compatible expansion, an interface, file preparation, rehearsal and operation. Start with the date, venue and approximate voices and destinations; if buses or connections are insufficient, we can compare another mixer or a simpler workflow.
More setup questions
Does USB solve recording and conferencing automatically?
No. SQ-Drive audio recording/playback cannot run at the same time as USB-B audio streaming. Check USB source, patch, computer device and send/return paths; listen to the recorded file.
Does scene recall restore every setting?
Not necessarily. Filters, safes and show configuration affect recall. Check its scope before rehearsal.
Documentation and preparation
23/10/2026
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