Allen & Heath SQ Connectivity

From DSP to FPGA: A signal processing revolution. Field Programmable Gate Arrays are a different sort of microprocessor and allow much more power per chip when used effectively. FPGAs are frequently used in computationally intensive applications such as AI accelerators, aerospace and defence avionics, high performance servers and super computers.

This bespoke FPGA processor brings about immediate audio processing benefits: more mixing power, enabling a 96kHz sampling rate, low latency (0.7ms) and easier management of phase coherency. The chip runs parallel internal virtual processing cores for channel processing and routing. These kernels basically appear as miniature DSPs, but with extra power and flexibility. Dedicated virtual cores are also provided for specialized advanced dynamic (Dyn8) engines within the chip. Since FPGA technology doesn’t set any bit-depth limitation, Allen & Heath engineers can pick the desired bit-depth for each processing block or algorithm (‘variable bit depth’), resulting in superior precision and noise performance.

Two units can be daisy chained and connected directly to an SQ SLink port, with the optional SLink card for SQ enabling more connections. For a more distributed system, a DX Hub can handle up to 8 DX168 units which can be freely patched to the SQ’s 48 input channels.

Two units can be daisy chained and connected directly to an SQ SLink port, with the optional SLink card for SQ enabling more connections. For a more distributed system, a DX Hub can handle up to 8 DX164-W or DX168 units in any combination, which can be freely patched to the SQ’s 48 input channels.

The unit connects over a single Cat5 cable to the mixer or AR2412 AudioRack via a secure dSNAKE EtherCon port. A second EtherCon port is provided for daisy-chaining to another AB168 box or connection of a ME personal mixing system.

SQ is the centrepiece of a growing ecosystem of apps, expanders, audio networking, personal mixers and more, allowing you to connect, adapt and expand to your heart’s content. It’s compatible with leading audio networking standards too – add an audio networking card such as Dante or Waves to SQ’s I/O port and you’re ready to integrate with installed systems, provide a digital FoH / Monitor split and more.

SQ Waves provides any SQ or AHM with a 64×64, 96kHz or 48kHz interface to a Waves SoundGrid network using the I/O Port. Engineers or installers can now fit the Waves card to any SQ or AHM for Waves plugin processing, multitrack recording (at 96kHz or 48kHz), virtual soundcheck and audio distribution applications.

• 64×64 channel digital audio over a network

• 96kHz or 48kHz operation

• Integration with a Waves plugin server or Waves Native

• Multichannel recording / playback

• Two ports with integrated switch

• Internal Control Network Bridge

• Locking Ethercon connectors

• Compatible with AHM and SQ

SQ SLink provides engineers with the option to add an intelligent SLink port to any SQ or AHM mixer. On SQ, the option card runs independently from the built-in SLink port, allowing two different Allen & Heath protocols to be used in one system, at the same time. With two SLink ports, it’s now possible to combine an SQ with any ME personal monitoring system, DX, GX or dSnake expander.

The SQ SLink card gives AHM-16 and AHM-32 processors access to the Everything I/O range of audio expanders, and adds further I/O capability to AHM-64.

On AHM-64, the option card runs independently from the built-in SLink port, allowing two different Allen & Heath protocols to be used in one system, at the same time.

Any SQ console fitted with an SLink card can also be directly connected to a Qu, SQ, Avantis or dLive system, enabling FOH / monitor splits, broadcast feeds and more.

• 128 inputs and 128 outputs of audio and preamp control

• 96kHz or 48kHz operation

• gigaACE, GX, DX, or dSnake connectivity

• Intelligent switching between modes

• Independent SRC for use of two different protocols in one system

• Plug’n’play installation