Allen & Heath Qu-5 – Compact 38-Channel Digital Mixer with XCVI Processing

The Qu-5 packs powerful live and studio-grade mixing into a road-ready, half-rack frame. With a 96 kHz XCVI FPGA core, 17 motorized faders, a capacitive 7″ touchscreen, and 32×32 USB-C audio interface, it blends hands-on control with impressive channel count and flexibility.

Key Features

• XCVI 96 kHz processing core: Delivers pristine audio with ultralow latency and high channel density
• 38 inputs to mix: 32 mono/linkable channels plus 2 stereo inputs and USB return under one unified interface
• Flexible mix outputs: 12 mixes (6 mono aux/group, 6 stereo aux/group), plus 4 matrix busses and a stereo LR output
• 17 motorized 100 mm faders: Four channel-strip layers and eight assignable SoftKeys streamline your workflow
• 7″ capacitive touchscreen: Fast navigation with clear strip meters and text labels
• SLink expansion port: Enables scalable routing with up to 128×128 channels using the Everything I/O ecosystem
• USB and SD recording: 32×32 multitrack via USB-C, stereo playback via USB-A, and up to 32-channel SD recording/playback
• DEEP Processing ready: Unlock feedback and gain assistants, plus extra FX racks from the dLive system

Customer Benefits

The Qu-5 combines ergonomic, tactile control with digital flexibility—letting engineers set up fast and mix creatively under pressure. Whether filling a touring rack, powering a broadcast mix, or serving in studio playback, it scales effortlessly and stays reliable in fast-changing environments.

Quick Specs

• Inputs: 16× combo mic/line (XLR/¼″), plus 2 stereo line inputs
• Outputs: 12× XLR, 2× TRS auxiliary, 1× AES3 digital, stereo headphone
• FX Engines: Six stereo with dedicated returns
• Recording media: SD card slot and dual USB ports for playback/recording
• SLink expansion: Yes, for remote I/O boxes
• Control: Touchscreen, motorized faders, SoftKeys, remote apps support
• Mounting: Half-rack width; optional rack ears available

What’s in the Box

• Allen & Heath Qu-5 mixer
• Power supply
• Quick start guide
  

Use Cases / Ideal For

Ideal for live sound engineers, broadcast operators, and fixed installations needing powerful mixing capabilities in a compact format. Perfect for touring, studio tracking, houses of worship, and hybrid live/stream setups.

Compatibility

Functions as a 32-channel USB audio interface with DAWs on Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. Remote control via Qu-MixPad and Qu-4You apps. Expands with AUX racks via SLink or Dante (Qu-5D variant) for larger I/O needs.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros:

• Motorized faders and touchscreen for intuitive workflow
• Scalable I/O with high-quality processing in a compact frame
• Versatile recording and interface modes streamline production

⚠️ Cons:

• Half-rack footprint may require custom rack space
• Advanced features like DEEP FX require extra licensing

The Allen & Heath Qu-5 sets a new standard for portable digital mixing—offering premium processing, flexible I/O, and hands-on control in a compact format.