Allen & Heath QU-16C Quick Start Guide
Getting Started Guide
For Firmware Version V1.9
Before starting please check www.allen-heath.com for the latest Qu
mixer firmware and documentation.
Publication AP10025
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").
This warranty does not apply to any non-Allen & Heath branded hardware products or any software,
even if packaged or sold with Allen & Heath hardware.
Please refer to the licensing agreement accompanying the software for details of your rights with
respect to the use of software/firmware (“EULA”).
Details of the EULA, warranty policy and other useful information can be found on the Allen & Heath
website: www.allen-heath.com/legal.
Repair or replacement under the terms of the warranty does not provide right to extension or renewal
of the warranty period. Repair or direct replacement of the product under the terms of this warranty
may be fulfilled with functionally equivalent service exchange units.
This warranty is not transferable. This warranty will be the purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy and
neither Allen & Heath nor its approved service centres shall be liable for any incidental or
consequential damages or breach of any express or implied warranty of this product.
Conditions of Warranty
The equipment has not been subject to misuse either intended or accidental, neglect, or alteration
other than as described in the User Guide or Service Manual, or approved by Allen & Heath. The
warranty does not cover fader wear and tear.
Any necessary adjustment, alteration or repair has been carried out by an authorised Allen & Heath
distributor or agent.
The defective unit is to be returned carriage prepaid to the place of purchase, an authorised Allen &
Heath distributor or agent with proof of purchase. Please discuss this with the distributor or the agent
before shipping. Units returned should be packed in the original carton to avoid transit damage.
DISCLAIMER: Allen & Heath shall not be liable for the loss of any saved/stored data in products that
are either repaired or replaced.
Check with your Allen & Heath distributor or agent for any additional warranty information which may
apply. If further assistance is required please contact Allen & Heath Ltd.
Any changes or modifications to the equipment not approved by Allen & Heath could void the
compliance of the product and therefore the user’s authority to operate it.
ALLEN&HEATH
Qu Mixer Getting Started Guide 2 AP10025 iss2
Allen & Heath Limited, Kernick Industrial Estate, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9LU, UK
Qu Series products comply with the European Electromagnetic
Compatibility directive 2004/108/EC and the European Low Voltage
directive 2006/95/EC.
Qu Mixer Getting Started Guide AP10025 Issue 2
Copyright © 2016 Allen & Heath. All rights reserved
http://www.allen-heath.com
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.
Firmware is updated regularly as new features are added and improvements made. The
firmware version current when this guide was released is noted in the Contents section.
The latest firmware can be downloaded from the Allen & Heath website, transferred to USB key
and then loaded into the Qu mixer using the Firmware Update utility. Read the Release Notes
that come with the firmware.
Check the Allen & Heath website for the latest version of Qu firmware.
Software licence agreement
By using this Allen & Heath product and the software within it you agree to be bound by the
terms of the relevant End User Licence Agreement (EULA), a copy of which can be found on
the Allen & Heath website ( www.allen-heath.com/legal ). You agree to be bound by the terms of
the EULA by installing, copying, or using the software.
Further information
Please refer to the Allen & Heath website for further information, knowledgebase and technical
support. You can join our Allen & Heath Digital Community to share knowledge and information
with other Qu users.
Check for the latest version of this Getting Started Guide.
Download the Qu Series Reference Guide AP9372.
General precautions
To prevent damage to the controls and cosmetics, avoid placing heavy objects on the
control surface, scratching the surface or touch screen with sharp objects, or rough
handling and vibration.
Protect the equipment from damage through liquid or dust contamination. Cover the
mixer when it is not being used for a long period.
Computer and touch screen technology can be affected by extreme cold. If the
equipment has been stored in sub-zero temperatures allow time for it to reach normal
operating temperature before use at the venue. Recommended operating temperature
for Qu is 5 to 35 degrees Celsius.
Avoid using the equipment in extreme heat and direct sunlight. Make sure the mixer
ventilation slots are not obstructed and that there is adequate air movement around the
equipment.
Clean the surface with a soft brush and dry lint-free cloth. Do not use chemicals,
abrasives or solvents. Avoid the use of spray cleaner in the faders.
It is recommended that servicing is carried out only by an authorised Allen & Heath
agent. Contact details for your local distributor can be found on the Allen & Heath
website. Allen & Heath do not accept liability for damage caused by maintenance, repair
or modification by unauthorised personnel.
Qu Mixer Getting Started Guide 3 AP10025 iss2
1. Packed contents
REGISTER YOUR PRODUCT online at: www.allen-heath.com/register
Safety Sheet
AP9240/CL-1
• Read this before starting
Mains lead
• Check this is correct for
your territory
Getting Started Guide AP10025
Remote Audio Racks
Provides remote audio over dSNAKE Cat5 cable digital snake.
AR2412 24 Mic/Line in, 12 Line out AR84 8 Mic/Line in, 4 Line out
Part: GLD-AR2412 Part: GLD-AR0804
AB168 16 Mic/Line in,
8 Line out Remote
Part: AB1608
ME Personal Mixing System
ME-1 Personal Mixer
ME-U 10-port PoE hub
Qu-Pac Mixer
LEDlamp
Right angled 4-pin
XLR LED lamp with
built-in dimmer
Part: LEDlampX
Dust covers
AP9262 Qu-16
AP9548 Qu-24
AP9639 Qu-32
Qu-16 polyester carry bag
Part AP9931
Cat5 cables
For use with dSNAKE remote audio
AH8823 2m (6.6’) patch
AH9651 20m (66’) coil
AH9981 50m (165’) drum
AH9650 100m (330’) drum
19” Rack Ear Kit for Qu-16
To mount the Qu-16 in a standard 19” rack
or flightcase. These fit over the plastic trims.
Part: QU-16-RK19
Qu-Pad app for iPad
Qu-You app for iOS devices and
Android
Qu-Control for iOS devices
Available from the Apple Store / Google
Play
Options and Accessories available
Qu Mixer Getting Started Guide 4 AP10025 iss2
2. Contents
About this guide
This is the Getting Started Guide for the Allen & Heath Qu-16, Qu-24
and Qu-32 digital mixers.
For more information about Qu mixer setup and mixing functions
please refer to the Qu Mixer Reference Guide available for download
from the Allen & Heath website:
www.allen-heath.com
Please Note
This guide refers to Qu firmware V1.9. Please refer to the Allen &
Heath website for the latest version of firmware and this guide.
For information on the Qu-Pac, Qu-SB and the AR2412, AR84 and
AB168 remote AudioRacks please refer to their user guides.
1. Packed contents .............................................................................................................................. 4
2. Contents .......................................................................................................................................... 5
3. Introduction to the Qu Series ........................................................................................................... 6
3.1 Differences between the Qu models ....................................................................................... 7
4. Installation........................................................................................................................................ 9
5. Rear Panel ..................................................................................................................................... 10
5.1 Connecting and powering up the mixer ................................................................................ 10
6. Front Panel .................................................................................................................................... 11
7. Audio Signal Processing ................................................................................................................ 12
8. Wireless Control ............................................................................................................................ 13
9. Qu-Start ......................................................................................................................................... 14
9.1 Things to check before starting ............................................................................................ 14
9.2 Set a known starting point .................................................................................................... 14
9.3 Prepare the mixer for your session ....................................................................................... 15
9.4 Set a starting point for processing and mix parameters ....................................................... 17
9.5 Save the settings ................................................................................................................... 18
9.6 Mixing with Qu-16, Qu-24 and Qu-32 .................................................................................... 19
9.7 Security and user access ...................................................................................................... 20
9.8 USB recording and playback ................................................................................................ 21
9.9 A few more functions ............................................................................................................ 22
10. Resetting the Mixer ........................................................................................................................ 23
10.1 Reset Mix Settings – A starting point for mixing .................................................................... 23
10.2 System Hard Reset – Clear everything ................................................................................. 23
Qu Mixer Getting Started Guide 5 AP10025 iss2
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.
There are five models in the Qu Digital Audio Mixer Series:
Qu-16 – Compact, rack mountable mixer with 16 mic and 3 stereo line input channels.
Qu-24 – Larger model with 24 mic and 3 stereo inputs. Adds stereo Groups, Matrix and more SoftKeys.
Qu-32 – Largest model with 32 mic and 3 stereo inputs. Adds 2 more stereo Groups.
Qu-Pac – Rack mountable version of the Qu-32 without faders, for iPad and front panel control.
Qu-SB – Rack mountable version of the Qu-32 without faders and front panel controls, for iPad control.
Qu-16 Qu-24 Qu-32
16 Mic/Line channels 24 Mic/Line channels 32 Mic/Line channels
3 stereo Line channels 3 stereo Line channels 3 stereo Line channels
24 sources to the mix 32 sources to the mix 40 sources to the mix
12 mixes (4 mono, 3 stereo, LR) 12 mixes (4m, 3(5)st, LR) 12 mixes (4m, 3(7)st, LR)
4 FX (2 send buses) 4 FX (4 send buses) 4 FX (4 send buses)
4 SoftKeys 10 SoftKeys 10 SoftKeys
24 out, 22 in USB streaming 32 out, 30 in USB 32 out, 32 in USB
2 stereo Groups (mix mode) 4 stereo Groups (mix mode)
2 stereo Matrix 2 stereo Matrix
All models
AES digital, Alt Out and 2TRK outputs
Talkback mic input
dSNAKE Cat5 snake to connect optional AudioRacks or ME-1 personal monitor mixers
4 Mute Groups, 4 DCA Groups
4 built-in FX (effects units)
100 Scene memories with channel safes and recall filters
Automatic mic mixing (AMM)
Channel ducking
Qu Mixer Getting Started Guide 6 AP10025 iss2
3.1 Differences between the Qu models
32 fader strips
4 Group masters
2 Matrix masters
4 DCA Group masters
4 stereo Group mix selects
Larger Touch Screen
Shelf for iPad
10 SoftKeys
2 Group masters
2 Matrix masters
4 FX sends, 2 stereo Groups
24 fader strips
4 SoftKeys
16 fader strips
LED colour strips to identify layer
2 FX sends, no Groups
All Qu mixers operate in the same way and have a similar touch screen menu structure. The larger
models add Groups and Matrix. Other differences are shown here:
Qu-16 Qu-24
Qu-32
Qu Mixer Getting Started Guide 7 AP10025 iss2
Qu-24 24 Mic/Line in
4 Group out
Matrix out
Qu-16 16 Mic/Line
32 out, 30 in USB audio streaming
24 out, 22 in USB audio streaming
Qu-32 32 Mic/Line in
8 Group out
Matrix out
32 out, 32 in USB audio streaming
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. You can connect up to two AudioRacks, the second as an
expander to the first.
The AR2412 AudioRack cannot be used as an expander in a Qu system.
Scene, Library and Show memories - All Qu mixer memories are
compatible. Files created on one model can be transferred via USB key and
loaded on another. The extra features of the bigger models will be ignored
when their file is loaded on a Qu-16. The extra features of the bigger models
will be reset to factory default when a Qu-16 file is loaded.
To be compatible, ensure all your Qu mixers are loaded with the same
version of firmware. Check the Allen & Heath web site for the latest firmware
available.
USB Audio - A USB hard drive formatted on one model can be used on the
other. Stereo and multitrack Qu-Drive recordings are compatible. USB B
audio streaming is compatible, but note that the Qu-16 is 24out/22in, the Qu24 is 32out/30in, and the Qu-32 and Qu-Pac are 32out/32in.
Firmware – The same version but different firmware is needed for each
model. Choose either the Qu-16, Qu-24 or Qu-32 file when downloading
firmware from the Allen & Heath web site. The procedure for updating
firmware is the same for all models.
Qu-Pad, Qu-Control and Qu-You apps - These apps are compatible with all
Qu mixers. They identify the model and load the appropriate controls when
you log in. Qu-Pad and Qu-Control are available for iOS devices. Qu-You is
available for iOS and Android devices.
Make sure the app version and mixer firmware versions are compatible.
Qu Mixer Getting Started Guide 8 AP10025 iss2
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