Mastering The Allen & Heath Qu-32 Digital Mixer

Allen & Heath Qu-32

The Allen & Heath Qu-32 Is A Must-Have For Any Audio Pro – And Aficionado Available with an array of pro options, it has the features and functionality you have been looking for in a function-rich system that is approachable and intuitive to all users. We will be discussing the use of Qu-32 in several ways and answering frequently asked questions, what makes it different than other mixers.

1. Allen & Heath Qu-32 Walkthrough

The Qu-32 by Allen & Heath is a 32-channel digital mixing console which provides superb audio quality and features that are truly unique. Utilize the power of Qu-32 for live mixing, studio recording and serious broadcasting. This includes motorized faders, touchscreen interface, internal effects and USB audio streaming which makes it a complete solution for your many audio tasks.

2. Setting Up Your Qu-32

Unboxing and Initial Setup

In the box with your Qu-32, you get the mixer itself along with a power cable and USB plug as well quick start guide. Start by setting the mixer on a stable surface and plugging in to an outlet Power ON the mixer from power switch back panel

Connecting Inputs and Outputs

Qu-32: 32 mono inputs and three stereo inputs wide-ranging connection opportunities Connect microphones, instruments and other audio sources to the input channels with XLR or TRS cables. The mixer has 16 XLR outputs for sending out to speakers, as well as two stereo outputs that can connect to monitors or recording devices.

Configuring the Mixer

With your inputs/outputs connected, turn on the mixer and go into setup via the touchscreen. In this, you can set up mixer settings such as Sync rate (Clock Rate), Clock Source and Network Settings. This is also accompanied by updating the firmware of the device to keep it in prime condition.

3. Navigating the Interface

Touchscreen Interface

The Qu-32 meets this criteria and takes it even further with a good, large 7-inch tactile touchscreen interface that is accessible from the front panel to get you to all mixer functions immediately. The home screen gives you a birds-eye view of the mixer, which shows fader levels on all channels and channel names (channels 1-169) as well meter readings. Touch Screen to select, channel change and edit parameters from with-in menus.

Motorized Faders

The motorised fader feature is a nice benefit for the Qu-32. When you change scenes or recall settings, these faders will automatically move to the correct position for keeping your mix accurate. It also allows you to manually move the faders however, if you prefer a little finessing with your mix.

Custom Layer

With the Qu-32, you can set up your own custom layer of faders and have everything exactly where you want it. Great for live sound where you want immediate Channel select. Go into the custom layer screen on the touch panes and map channels to faders of some sort.

4. Qu-32 in Live Sound

Setting Up a Mix

The correct mix is essential for live sound and you must have the level of each audio source well balanced & clear. The gain knobs above the faders control input channel levels and let you dial in a combination of noise, run-up time based on how loudly your audience is cheering during intros, plus beats only whenever applicable. Now you can use the faders to replace each channel in main with Main.

Applying EQ and Effects

The Qu-32 has a comprehensive EQ section so you can shape the sound of each channel. You can adjust these settings through the touchscreen by selecting a channel and navigating to the EQ menu. At this point you can set the Frequency, Gain and Q-Factor for Each Band of The EQ

Besides EQ, the Qu-32 has onboard effects processors including reverb, delay and modulation effects. To add an effect on a channel, select the channel and go to FX -> Add…. Pick the effect you want and modify variables as needed.

2 Monitoring and Feedback Control

Added monitoring (to ensure performers can hear themselves well on stage, important for live sound) The Qu-32 routing definitely has enough aux outputs to make different monitor mixes. Send audio to the monitors using aux sends and adjust levels with faders.

Common in live sound is feedback. Use the EQ section to practice cutting of frequency and notch filter if desired (to get rid off feedback). What is left then, incorporates correct placement of microphones and speakers which can also affect feedback.

5. Recording with the Qu-32

Multi-Track Recording

The Qu-32 over USB can be used for multi-track recording (all 32 input channels at once). Plug a USB stick into the rear panel’s port while beep 2 starts up then touch screen, navigate to recording menu. Just go to the Replay menu and choose all your favorite channels then begin recording.

Stereo Recording

The Qu-32 can also be configured for stereo recording, in addition to supporting the simpler multi-track setups. It’s perfect for getting a stereo mix of live performance or broadcast. Plug a USB drive into your TV and select the recording menu. Now choose stereo recording and tap on record.

Playback and Mixing

After recording your audio, you can play it back with the Qu-32 and use that same knob to mix between tracks. Take these files and import them into your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), adjusting levels, EQ’ing & adding effects for each track in the mixer.

6. Advanced Features

Motorized Faders

Motorized Faders At the heart of every Qu-32 is its collection of motorized faders. When you recall a scene or change settings, the faders very quickly fly to their respective appropriate points giving you an incredibly accurate mix at all times. This is especially beneficial when in live application where fader riding has to be done instantly.

7 Touchscreen Interface

User Interface: With its 7-inch touchscreen the Qu-32 offers a simple and intuitive layout allowing for easy menu navigation to adjust settings. The simple interface of the mixer makes for just a few clicks and you are on your way to control every aspect of the mix from channel select to EQ & inputs. The user-friendly touch screen display, which includes visual feedback easily shows you the state of your mix instantly

8 dSNAKE Connectivity

You might be using dSNAKE to connect remote stage boxes or personal monitoring. This means that you can put devices closer to the source and have a shorter cable run, making it more adjustable for an audio system. The dSNAKE option makes it possible to transmit high-quality digital audio with extremely low latencies.

Built-in Effects

The on-board effects suite is also very expansive and includes reverb, delays, and modulation. You can use them on the channels or in main mix to quickly add sparkle and girth. The touchscreen interface allows you to tweak the effects parameters for that next level of audio manipulation.

USB Audio Streaming

The Qu-32 supports USB audio streaming for sending your mix to a computer or recorder. This is ideal in case of recording, broadcast and live streaming purposes. Plug in the mixer to your computer with a USB cord and go through you DAW or Streaming Software audio settings.

Custom Layer

Custom Layer – Custom fader layers allow you to choose what strengths in each layer suit your requirements best and folio together any combination of sockets from the input or mixing. This is very handy for live sound when quick access to certain channels are needed. To achieve this, go to the custom layer screen on your touchscreen and then configure which fader will represent what channel.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

How do I firmware update my Qu-32?

Download the latest firmware file from the Allen & Heath website and save it to a USB drive, in order to update your Qu-32 OS. Plug in the USB drive into mixer’s USB Port and go to Setup menu. Choose the firmware update feature and complete updating, as instructed on your TV screen.

10 Qu-32 – for live and recording Use?

Of course the Qu-32 is “the Swiss Army of digital console” and can do live sound as well as recording. The mixer has a full set of tools to handle live sound, and comes complete with motorized faders, effects in the console itself (you know why), as well as dSNAKE connectivity. In addition, it is compatible with USB multi-track and stereo recording making perfect for not just performing music but also accommodating the needs of a studio.

11 How To Make A Qu-32 Custom Layer

Go to the custom layer menu on the Qu-32, and create an empty one. Simply choose the channels that you want in your custom layer and map them to which faders you would like them on. Now you can select and switch to your custom layer by using the Layer buttons on the mixer (left side)

12 What is dSNAKE and how do I use it?

What is dSNAKE? – Digital audio networking protocol used by Allen & Heath mixers. It enables you to connect remote audio devices like stage boxes and personal mixers with the Qu-32. Connect a dSNAKE-compatible device to the dSNAKE port on the rear panel of your mixer in order for you to utilize it with a multichannel connection. Once the connection is active, most mixers will automatically detect their device and correctly set up audio routing for it.

How do I add effects to a channel on the Qu-32?

Note: To apply effects to a channel on the Qu-32, you must first select the channel with

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