Allen & Heath QU-16C Datasheet

Allen & Heath Limited
Kernick Industrial Estate
Penryn, Cornwall,
TR10 9LU, UK

www.allen-heath.com

Overview

Technical Datasheet

 Rack-mountable Digital Mixer for Live, Studio and

Installation

 5" colour touchscreen
 16 Mono Inputs (TRS + XLR)
 3 Stereo Inputs (TRS)
 4 Stereo FX with dedicated FX Returns
 16 Busses
 12 Mix Outputs (XLR) (LR, Mono Mix 1-4, Stereo Mix 1-

3)

 4 SoftKeys
 Extra stereo outputs – AES digital, Alt Out, 2TRK out
 Talkback mic input
 dSNAKE Cat5 snake for remote audio using AR2412,

AR84 or AB168

 4 Mute Groups
 4 DCA Groups
 AnaLOGIQ™ total recall analogue preamps
 Effects ported from the flagship iLive console
 Dedicated stereo FX return channels
 Master strip for quick access to mix levels and processing
 Input channel linking for stereo sources
 Input processing – Preamp, HPF, Gate, PEQ,

Compressor, Delay

 Automatic Mic Mixing

 Output processing – PEQ, Graphic EQ, Compressor,

Delay

 31 Band Real Time Analysis and Spectrogram
 5” (800x480 pixel) colour touch screen for quick control
 Motorised faders for sends on faders, GEQ fader flip and

mix recall

 Quick copy and reset of processing, mixes and scenes
 100 Scene memories
 Channel Safes, Global and per Scene Recall Filters
 FX, processing and channel User Libraries
 Qu-Drive for stereo and 18-track recording/playback to

USB hard drive

 USB streaming to/from an Apple® Mac or Windows™ PC

computer

 MIDI DAW Control driver for Mac (converts to HUI or

Mackie Control)

 USB transfer of Scenes, Libraries, Shows
 User assignable Custom Layer
 Qu-Pad engineer’s mixing wireless remote app for iPad
 Qu-You personal monitoring app for iPhone, iPad, iPod

Touch

 Compatible with the Allen & Heath ME personal mixing

system

 User Permissions to restrict operator access
 Optimised fan-less airflow design for silent operation

Qu-16 Technical Datasheet 1 Allen & Heath Ltd

Qu-16 v1.8 Chrome Technical Datasheet 2 Allen & Heath Ltd

Dimensions

A&E Specifications

The mixer shall be a compact, rack-mountable mixer with 16
mono and 3 stereo line input channels mixing to 12 mix
outputs.
The surface shall include 17 moving faders with 3 layers,
each layer having dedicated keys and indicators, giving
access to input channels, output channel mixes, FX sends,
FX returns, Main mix, and a customisable layer giving
access to DCA masters and MIDI control as well as user­defined overview of channels.
Each fader strip shall have a dedicated PAFL, Mix, Select,
and Mute button with indicators, a 3-LED multi-point meter,
and coloured LED indicating fader assignment.
The mixer shall have a physical control per function following
the select button for the input and output channels allowing
for fast access to all key processing parameters.
The fader and rotary controls shall be of a high contrast
colour to the mixer surface for excellent visibility during
operation in low light conditions
The ability to assign channel on/off status to the current mix
using the channel ‘Mix’ keys shall also be provided.
All processing, Pre/Post fade routing and assignments of
signals to mix send, FX send and Audio, DCA and Mute
Groups shall be accessed and adjusted via a 5-inch colour
touchscreen provided on the mixing surface.
A Channel Ducker shall be provided to reduce the level of
selected channels when a prioritised input channel is in use.
This channel priority shall be available across all mono and
stereo input channels and also channel groups.
An Automatic Mic Mixer shall be provided for automatic level
control of up to 16 microphones using a constant gain
sharing algorithm to dynamically adjust the gain for each mic
in spoken word applications

4 user-assignable soft keys shall be provided for quick
access to Mute Groups, DCA Mutes, Tap Tempo and Scene
Recall. There shall also be dedicated keys for quick
Copy/Paste/Reset of mixes and processing parameters.
The name and number of the current selected channel or mix
shall be identified on screen when in the processing or
routing pages.
Send levels to mixes shall be displayed and adjusted using
the faders.
All output mix channels shall contain the following
processing: External input, Trim, Polarity, Insert, Parametric
EQ, and Graphic EQ with RTA and fader-flip mode,
Compressor, Delay.
All signal delays in the system shall be adjustable in
Milliseconds.
There shall be 4 stereo rack FX engines, 4 DCA groups and
4 Mute groups.
4 user-assignable effect racks shall be provided with a library
of factory preset FX emulations. The FX racks shall be
individually configurable as send/return from a channel or
FX/Mix, or inserted into input or output channels.
A global source option for the direct out of each input
channel shall be provided in the routing screen. The tap-off
point shall be adjusted to the following positions in the
processing path: post Preamp, post HPF, post Gate, post
Insert return, post PEQ, post Compressor, and post Delay.
There shall be further global options for Follow Fader, and
Follow Mute.
Direct outputs shall be assignable via the mixer soft patch
bay to any physical output socket interface channel or ME
channel.

Qu-16 v1.8 Chrome Technical Datasheet 3 Allen & Heath Ltd

A signal generator shall be provided with the ability to send a
variable level signal to any output mix with visual assignment
status on-screen. The following types of signals shall be
available: Sine, White Noise, Pink Noise, and Band-Pass.
Comprehensive input, output, and FX channel and RTA
metering shall be provided on-screen.
Real Time Analysis metering shall include a spectrogram to
allow for accurate monitoring of audio energy across the
frequency spectrum over time for the purpose of feedback
detection and correction of room acoustics.
A default Mains to PAFL sub-mix shall be provided.
12-LED bar meters on the surface shall indicate the 3 Main
mix buss levels, the PAFL signal shall override the LR
meters accompanied by a PAFL-active indicator.
A Talkback facility shall be provided with the ability to send to
any output mix with on screen status indication. An option to
enable talkback latching and HPF shall be provided.
A quarter-inch jack socket for PAFL headphones output shall
be provided, with an analogue output level control.
The mixer shall include stereo and 18-track
recording/playback to optional USB hard drives. The format
shall be 48 kHz/ 16 bit WAV.
The mixer shall play back stereo WAV files at 44.1 or 48 kHz
and shall have a USB Type-A connector on the surface for
recording, playback, data-transfer, archiving, and firmware
updates to USB drive.
On the rear panel there shall be a Type-B USB connection
following the high-speed USB 2.0 standard for multi-channel,
bi-directional audio streaming of 24 out / 22 in and MIDI
DAW control between the mixer and a computer.
A DAW transport control using popular DAW control
protocols for computer shall be available via the touch­screen.
The mixer shall provide a Fast Ethernet (100 Mbit/s) port for
Cat5 cable connection to a computer for MIDI over TCP/IP
control of mixer parameters via a wireless router (access
point) for live mixing control.

The mixer shall provide the facility to save 100 scenes of the
settings of the mixing system and these scenes shall be
nameable.

A comprehensive table of Scene Safes shall be provided to
prevent selected items from being changed from their state
when the safe was enabled. A comprehensive scene filter
shall be provided per scene to Allow / Block each parameter
saved in a scene from being changed as that scene is
recalled.

An option shall be provided for password protection for log-in
of several users with different levels of system access and
permissions. A particular scene may be chosen to be
recalled per change of user-login if desired.

The mixing system shall periodically record all current
settings and return the mixer to that state after reboot
following a power-cycle.

The mixing control surface shall have a built in power supply
accepting AC mains voltages of 100~240V, 50/60 Hz, 95W
max via an earthed 3-pin IEC male connector mounted on
the rear chassis. A Two Pole Push-Button switch shall be
provided near the mains input.

Recommended operating temperature for the mixer shall be
5 to 35 degrees Celsius.

The mixer shall be the Allen & Heath Qu-16 Chrome Digital
Mixer.

The mixing system shall include application software for
Apple iOS touchscreen devices connected via a wireless
network router to the LAN port and allow control of functions
including the preamp gain, pad, and phantom power.

These applications shall have a graphical representation of
physical controls and indicators present on the surface
including signal processing parameters and shall provide
control of output channel processing including Parametric
EQ, Graphic Eq, Compressor and Delay. Routing
assignments and level adjustments of input signals to all
mixes and bus shall be provided. The application software
shall provide signal metering and processing threshold
indication when online including the Real Time Analyser.

There shall be a local “dSNAKE” Ethernet audio expansion
port with locking Ethercon connector, providing up to 22 input
signals and 12 output signals, plus 40 personal mixing sends

to be connected over a single cable ‘digital snake’ and

allowing Remote Preamp control to an Allen & Heath
AudioRack, or Allen & Heath ME Personal Mixing Systems.

Input and output channel processing and parameters in the
mixer shall be saved on demand as a user library item for
recall in other channels. Individual processing sections shall
be save-able on demand as user library items for that type.

All library items shall be stored on board and archived with
the show-file. Library items shall be transferrable to USB
drive as portable data to be used in other systems.

Qu-16 Technical Datasheet 4 Allen & Heath Ltd

Input Channels 1-16, ST1-3

PFL

AFL

METER

Direct Out

to LR

MixFX

PEQ

Pre

Post

FX Return 1-4

FADER

MUTE

TRIM

TALKBACK

HPF

Press to TALK

L R

L R

SEND

PAN

PAFL

ADC

Mic In

+

-

Gain

Line In

48V

ADC

Talkback Mic

+

-

LR

L R

SEND

FX 1-4

Mix>Return

METER

Insert

Mix>Return

MUTE

FADER

PFL

AFL

METER

FX Send1-2

Mix 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 Masters

L, R Masters

MUTE

METER

Global Follow Mute

Follow Fader

DELAY

DAC

-

+

DAC

BAL

-

+

+4dBu

LR Out

-

+

BAL

-

+

+4dBu

L

R

2TRK Out

DAC

-

+

DAC

BAL

-

+

+4dBu

Mix Out 5-6, 7-8, 9-10

L

R

L

R

AES digital out

AES Out

DAC

DAC

Phones

DAC

-

+

DAC

BAL

-

+

+4dBu

L

R

Alt Out

LR pre/post

L+R pre/post

DELAY

PFL TRIM

-24dB

0dB

PFL

AFL

PAFL

Monitor

CH>Return

Mix 1-4 Masters

DELAY

Mix Out 1-4

DAC

BAL

-

+

+4dBu

PFL

AFL

to LR

L R

PAN

MUTE

FADER

METER

PFL AFL

MUTE

FADER

DELAY

PFL AFL

BAL

L R

post

post

FADER

PFL AFL

BAL

L R

METER

Pre

post

L+R

L+R

ASSIGN to

Mix

LEV

MUTE

Sine

White Noise

Pink Noise

B/P Noise

SIG GEN

LR

ASSIGN to

Mix

LR

Mix post

PAFL

PAFL

LR pre/post

L+R pre/post

Mix post

PAFL

Gain

48V

ADC

L/M

R

+-+

-

ST1

ADC

ADC

L/M

R

+-+

-

ST2

ADC

ADC

ADC

ST3

dSNAKE

Inputs

Outputs

post

CAT5 'digital snake'

FX sends

Mix sends

FX sends

Mix sends

to Output Patch

COMP

GEQ

28-band

PEQ

COMP

GEQ

28-band

PEQ

COMP

GEQ

28-band

PEQ

Mic/Line 1-16

LOCAL

Qu-Drive

USB B

Multitrack

Stereo

Stream

PLAYBACK

USB source

Multitrack

Stereo

Stream

RECORD

CH1-16, ST1-3 Source

or

or

Global

USB

Mix1-10 post

FX Ret1-4 pre

L+R pre/post

LR pre/post

PAFL

USB Patch 1-24:

17-18

1-18

1-24

dSNAKE

MONITOR

To ME Personal Mix System

AR2412

Mic/Line Inputs 1-24

XLR Out 1-12

Inputs ST1-3

XLR Out 13+

dSNAKE

AR84

Mic/Line Inputs 1-8

XLR Out 1-4

dSNAKE

AB168

Mic/Line Inputs 1-16

XLR Out 1-8

EXPANDER

EXPANDER

Inputs ST1-3

XLR Out 9+

ST1-3 Dir Out

CH1-16 Dir Out

Mix1-10 post

FX Ret1-4 pre

L+R pre/post

LR pre/post

PAFL

MONITOR Patch 1-40:

dSNAKE XLR Out Patch:

Mix1-10 post

L+R pre/post

LR pre/post

PAFL

Patch:

Patch:

Sends

Insert

Direct Out

(ME compatible)

(ME compatible)

AudioRack options:

ST1-3

CH1-16

FX

Inserted

FX

Insert

FX

Insert

FX

Insert

dSNAKE Main

dSNAKE Expander

POL

HPF

GATE

PEQ

COMP

DELAY

0

Post-PEQ

Preamp

Global source for Direct Out

TRIM

Pre-EQ

USB

Local/dSNAKE

SOURCE

Insert

Direct Out

Global source per Mix

To USB (Insert Sends)

ST1-3 Dir Out

CH1-32 Dir Out

Mix1-10 post

Grp1-8 post

L+R pre/post

LR pre/post

MTX1-4 post

PAFL

Ducker Trigger source:

Insert

FX

Ducker

Inserted

FX

Ducker

or

MUTE

FADER

Post

Pre

Out

Inputs

AMM (Auto Mic Mixer)

Available for CH1-16

AMM gain element

Control

multi-point Pk

Post-All

48V

-

+

-20dB PAD

ADC

GAIN

BAL

-

+

Ready

DAC

+4dBu

Patch any socket to any channel

Patch any output to any socket

RTA / Spectrogram

31-band 1/3 octave

Firmware V1.8

SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM

Qu-16

To USB (Direct Outs)

To dSNAKE Monitor patch

Ducker Trigger

Block Diagram

Qu-16 v1.8 Chrome Technical Datasheet 5 Allen & Heath Ltd

Inputs

Control

Mic/Line Inputs

Balanced, XLR and 1/4" TRS jack, fully recallable

Faders

100mm motorised

Input Sensitivity
(XLR / TRS)

-60 to +5dBu / -50 to +15dBu

Touch Screen Qu­16, 24

5" TFT, 800x480 resolution

Analogue Gain

-5 to +60dB, 1dB steps

SoftKeys

4

Maximum Input
Level (XLR / TRS)

+19dBu / +29dBu

Mute Groups

4

Input Impedance
(XLR / TRS)

>5kΩ / >10 kΩ

DCA Groups

4

THD+N, Unity gain
0dB

0.0005% -89 dBu (20-20kHz, Direct Out @0dBu
1kHz)

Network

TCP/IP Ethernet for MIDI and iPad app

THD+N, Mid gain
+30dB

0.001% -83dBu (20-20kHz, Direct Out @0dBu
1kHz)

Stereo Line Inputs

Input Processing

ST1, ST2 connector

Balanced, 1/4" TRS jack, half-normalled

Source

ST3 connector

Unbalanced, stereo 3.5mm Mini Jack

CH1-32

Local, dSNAKE, or USB

Input Sensitivity
(ST1, ST2 / ST3)

Nominal +4dBu / 0dBu

ST1, ST2

Local, dSNAKE, or USB

Trim

+/-24dB

ST3

Local, dSNAKE, or USB Stereo

Maximum Input
Level (ST1,ST2 /
ST3)

+22dBu / +18dBu

USB Global Source

Qu-Drive or USB B Streaming

Input Impedance

>7kΩ

Outputs

Stereo Linking

Odd/even input pairs

Mix1-10 and LR
Out

Balanced, XLR

Parameters linked

EQ, dynamics, insert, delay, assignments,
sends

Output Impedance

<75Ω

Link options

Preamp, polarity, Sidechain, fader/mute,
pan

Nominal Output

+4dBu = 0dB meter reading

Maximum Output
Level

+22dBu

Polarity

Normal/Reverse

Residual Output
Noise

-90 dBu (muted, 20-20kHz)

High Pass Filter

12dB/octave 20Hz – 2kHz

Insert

Assign FX1-4 into Input channels

Stereo Alt Out &
2Trk Out

Balanced, 1/4" TRS jack

Delay

Up to 85ms

Source (Alt Output /
2Trk Output)

Patchable / LR post-fade

Output Impedance

<75Ω

Gate

Self-key Sidechain

Nominal Output

+4dBu = 0dB meter reading

Threshold / Depth

-72dBu to +18dBu / 0 to 60dB

Mixer Specifications

Qu-16 v1.8 Chrome Technical Datasheet 6 Allen & Heath Ltd

Maximum Output
Level

+22dBu

Attack / Hold /
Release

50us to 300ms / 10ms to 5s / 10ms to 1s

Residual Output
Noise

-90 dBu (muted, 20-20kHz)

PEQ

4-Band fully parametric, 20-20kHz, +/­15dB

AES Digital Output

2 channel, 48kHz sampling rate, XLR

Band 1

Selectable LF Shelving (Baxandall), Bell

2.5Vpp balanced terminated 110Ω

Band 2, Band 3

Bell

dSNAKE

Band 4

Selectable HF Shelving (Baxandall), Bell

Inputs

Remote source for CH1-32, ST1, ST2, ST3

Bell Width

Non-constant Q, variable, 1.5 to 1/9th
octave

Outputs

Patchable from Mix1-10, LR, Grp1-8, MTX1-4

Compatible with AudioRacks AR2412, AR84,
AB168

Compressor

Self-key Sidechain

Compatible with ME personal mixing system

Threshold / Ratio

-46dBu to 18dBu / 1:1 to infinity

Attack / Release

300us – 300ms / 100ms - 2s

System

Measured balanced XLR in to XLR out, 0dB gain,
0dBu input

Knee

Soft/Hard

Dynamic Range

112 dB

Types

Peak Manual, RMS Manual, SlowOpto,
PunchBag

Frequency
Response

+0/-0.5dB 20Hz to 20kHz

Headroom

+18dB

Internal operating
Level

0dBu

Mix Processing

dBFS Alignment

+18dBu = 0dBFS (+22dBu at XLR output)

Channel Direct Out
to USB

Follow Fader, follow Mute (global options)

Meter Calibration

0dB meter = -18dBFS (+4dBu at XLR out)

Source select
(global)

Post-Preamp, Pre-EQ, Post-EQ, Post­Delay

Meter Peak
indication

-3dBFS (+19dBu at XLR out), multi-point sensing

Meter Signal
indication

-48dBFS (-26dBu at XLR out)

Insert

Assign FX into Mix channels

Meter Type

Fast (peak) response

Delay

Up to 170ms

Sampling Rate

48kHz +/-100PPM

GEQ

Constant 1/3 oct, 28 bands 31Hz-16kHz,
+/-12dB Gain

ADC, DAC

24-bit Delta-Sigma

Latency

1.2 ms (local XLR in to XLR out)

PEQ

4-Band fully parametric, 20-20kHz, +/­15dB

0.7 ms (local XLR in to AES out)

Band 1

Selectable LF Shelving (Baxandall), Bell

Qu-16 v1.8 Chrome Technical Datasheet 7 Allen & Heath Ltd

Band 2, Band 3

Bell

Operating
Temperature Range

0 deg C to 35 deg C (32 deg F to 95 deg F)

Band 4

Selectable HF Shelving (Baxandall), Bell

Mains Power

100-240V AC, 50/60Hz

Bell Width

Non-constant Q, variable, 1.5 to 1/9th
octave

Maximum Power
Consumption

82W

Compressor

Self-key Sidechain

USB Audio

Threshold / Ratio

-46dBu to 18dBu / 1:1 to infinity

Qu-Drive

USB A

Attack / Release

300us – 300ms / 100ms - 2s

Stereo Record

2 channel, WAV, 48kHz, 24-bit, patchable

Knee

Soft/Hard

Stereo Playback

2 channel, WAV, 44.1 or 48kHz, 16 or 24-bit, to
ST3

Types

Peak Manual, RMS Manual, SlowOpto,
PunchBag

Multitrack Record

18 channel, WAV, 48kHz, 24-bit, patchable

FX Multitrack Playback

18 channel, WAV, 48kHz, 24-bit

Internal FX

4x RackFX engine, Send>Return or
Inserted

USB Audio
Streaming

USB B, Core Audio compliant

Audio Tools

Send (upstream)

24 channel, WAV, 48kHz, 24-bit

Types

Reverbs, Delays, Gated Reverb, ADT

Return
(downstream)

22 channel, WAV, 48kHz, 24-bit

Chorus, Symphonic Chorus, Phaser,
Flanger

4 dedicated Stereo
FX returns

Fader, Pan, Mute, Routing to Mix/LR, 4­Band PEQ

Dimensions &
Weights

Qu-16 Mixer

Width x Depth x Height

PAFL

PFL or stereo in-place AFL, 0 to -24dB
Trim, 85ms Delay

Desk mounted

440 x 500 x 186 mm

Talkback

Assignable to any mix, 12dB/oct HPF

(17.4" x 19.7" x 7.4")

Signal Generator

Assignable to any mix, Sine /
White/Pink/Band-pass Noise

Rack mounted

483 x 472 x 190 mm

(19" x 18.6" x 7.5")

RTA

31-Bands 1/3 octave 20-20kHz, follows
PAFL source

Packed in shipping
box

610 x 680 x 350 mm

(24" x 27" x 13.8")

Unpacked weight

10 kg (22 lbs)

Qu-16 v1.8 Chrome Technical Datasheet 7 Allen & Heath Ltd

Packed weight

13.5 kg (30 lbs)

Qu-16 v1.8 Chrome Technical Datasheet 7 Allen & Heath Ltd