QUSB 18IN / 14OUT Portable Digital Mixer

Product Features

• Qu-SB Mixing Apps: Having massive processing power and advanced functionality is great, but it counts for nothing if you can’t access the controls you need in a heartbeat. Qu-SB is designed to integrate seamlessly with the fully-featured Qu-Pad iPad app, providing super-fast, easy access to all settings, including channel processing, meters and RTA views, FX racks, scene management, USB audio control, setup menus and much more.
• Analogiq^TM Preamps: Qu-SB’s sixteen AnalogiQ^TM total recall preamps feature zero crossing detection and an advanced padless 1dB step gain stage, closely allied to the DSP for optimal gain accuracy and audio transparency. The analogue signal is captured by high class, low latency 24bit analogue to digital converters matched to high quality 24bit digital to analogue converters to deliver the required outputs. The AnalogiQ^TM design has been refined over many months to offer superb transparency, minimal distortion and an ultra-low noise floor, with a warm, musical sound that is missing from some digital consoles.
• Profactory MIC Presets: Allen & Heath has teamed up with leading microphone manufacturers and top engineers at Audio-Technica, Sennheiser, and Shure to provide EQ Library presets for a large number of popular and industry standard microphones. Presets for vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, drums, brass and woodwind have been painstakingly crafted to offer you the best possible starting point for the source and your microphone of choice. Whether you’re a keen amateur or a seasoned professional, you can get to work quickly and easily, saving valuable time so you can concentrate on EQ’ing the source and room acoustics.
• iLive FX: Qu-SB’s dynamics and FX algorithms are derived from the FX used in the iLive pro touring series. Some of the world’s most respected audio engineers have chosen to use iLive’s FX on tour in preference to top-end plug-ins and external FX units. Qu-SB boasts 4 stereo iLive FX engines, featuring lovingly crafted emulations of legendary classic reverbs, gated reverbs, delays, modulators, flangers and more.
• Qu-Drive: Forget soundcard drivers and software setup, Qu has an integrated multitrack USB recorder, providing 18 channels of 48kHz, 24bit recording and playback straight to / from your USB hard drive. Capturing multitrack recordings of your shows has never been so easy. Mixes and FX returns can be recorded alongside channels, and multitrack audio can be played back to the mixer for virtual sound-checks. An independent set of controls is provided for quick stereo recording of the main LR or other mix outputs, and a 2-track USB return can be routed to ST3 for playback of stereo WAV files such as walk-in music.
• USB Audio Streaming: Qu’s built-in interface streams multitrack audio to your Mac or PC via a flexible patching system: all Input channels and the Main LR can be recorded at the same time, or you may choose to record something different such as FX returns or a pair of mixes.The returns from the computer can be assigned to the Input  channels. The interface is class-compliant on Mac OS X – and drivers are available for Windows systems. Either way, it will be recognized straightaway by any DAW supporting ASIO or Core Audio, including Logic, Cubase, Reaper, and Pro Tools.
• Expandability: Qu-SB can be expanded to up to 32 mono inputs via dSNAKE, allowing a convenient Cat5 connection to a combination of remote AB168, AR2412 or AR84 AudioRacks. dSNAKE is our proprietary networking solution, boasting a transport latency of only 105us over cable runs of up to 120m / 390’.The AudioRacks unleash all the power of Qu-SB, giving you access to extra outputs for Stereo Matrix, Groups, and extra monitor Mixes.
• Automatic MIC Mixer: AMM is vital in applications such as conferences, meetings and panel discussions where a number of microphones are open at the same time, reducing background noise and minimising the risk of feedback. The Automatic Microphone Mixer feature helps the engineer to manage the levels of multiple mic inputs, ensuring that each speaker’s contribution is heard. The D-Classic dynamic gain sharing algorithm is inspired by industry standard automixers. Up to 16 microphone sources can be mixed at once, with each channel having a priority setting which determines its ‘weight’ in the total system gain.
• Qu Ecosystem: Qu provides much more than just a mixer. Qu is an entire ecosystem with Remote AudioRacks allowing I/O to be placed where it’s needed, ME Personal Mixers expanding monitor mixes and enabling simple, time-saving local control, Qu Apps for complete remote setup and wireless mixing on stage or anywhere else in the venue, ProFactory Mic presets to speed up preparation time and ensure the best sound, plus USB recording and DAW integration for powerful workflow optimisation from one centrepiece device.
• 16 local Mono Mic/Line Inputs (TRS + XLR)
• Recallable AnaLOGIQTM Preamps
• 1 Stereo Input (TRS)
• 12 local Mix Outputs (XLR)
• 1 Stereo Output (TRS)
• Expandable up to 32 input, 24 out using dSNAKE AudioRack
• Up to 11 Monitor Mixes (4 mono + 7 stereo)
• 4 Stereo Groups (switchable to Mix mode)
• 4 FX Engines
• 4 dedicated FX Sends / Returns
• 4 Mute Groups
• 4 DCA Groups
• 32×32 USB Audio Interface
• Qu-Drive Multitrack Recording / Playback direct to USB device
• dSNAKE^TM Remote Audio Port
• Qu-Pad fully-featured iPad App
• Qu-You iPhone / Android personal monitoring app
• Qu-Control app for simple wireless control
• Trim, polarity, HPF, gate, insert, 4-band PEQ, compressor, delay on all Inputs
• Insert, 4-band PEQ, 1/3 octave GEQ, compressor, delay on all Outputs
• iLive FX Library
• Built-in Signal Generator
• RTA with Peak Band indication
• Spectrogram to aid feedback elimination and room acoustics
• Automatic Mic Mixer
• Channel Ducker
• DAW MIDI Control
• Compatible with ME Personal Mixing System
• 19” Rack Mountable with optional rack ears

Product Specifications

General

• Inputs
  • Mic/Line Inputs:  Balanced, XLR and 1/4" TRS jack, fully recallable
  • Input Sensitivity: (XLR / TRS) -60 to +5dBu / -50 to +15dBu
  • Analogue Gain: -5 to +60dB, 1dB steps 
  • Maximum Input: Level (XLR / TRS) +19dBu / +29dBu 
  • Input Impedance: (XLR / TRS) >5kΩ / >10 kΩ 
  • THD+N, Unity gain 0dB: 0.0005% -89 dBu (20-20kHz, Direct Out @0dBu 1kHz)
  • THD+N, Mid gain +30dB: 0.001% -83dBu (20-20kHz, Direct Out @0dBu 1kHz)
• Stereo Line Inputs
  • ST1, ST2 connector: Balanced, 1/4" TRS jack, half-normalled
  • ST3 connector: Unbalanced, stereo 3.5mm Mini Jack
  • Input Sensitivity (ST1, ST2 / ST3): Nominal +4dBu / 0dBu
  • Trim: +/-24dB
  • Maximum Input Level (ST1,ST2 /ST3): +22dBu / +18dBu 
  • Input Impedance: >7kΩ
• Outputs
  • Mix1-10 and LR Out: Balanced, XLR
  • Output Impedance: <75Ω
  • Nominal Output: +4dBu 0dB meter reading
  • Maximum Output Level: +22dBu
  • Residual Output Noise: -90 dBu (muted, 20-20kHz)
  • Stereo Alt Out & 2Trk Out: Balanced, 1/4" TRS jack
  • Source (Alt Output /2Trk Output): Patchable / LR post-fade
  • Output Impedance: <75Ω
  • Nominal Output: +4dBu = 0dB meter reading
  • Maximum Output Level: +22dBu
  • Residual Output Noise: -90 dBu (muted, 20-20kHz)
  • AES Digital Output: 2 channel, 48kHz sampling rate, XLR, 2.5Vpp balanced terminated 110Ω
• dSNAKE
  • Inputs: Remote source for CH1-32, ST1, ST2, ST3
  • Outputs: Patchable from Mix1-10, LR, Grp1-8, MTX1-4; Compatible with AudioRacks AR2412, AR84, AB168; Compatible with ME personal mixing system
  • System: Measured balanced XLR in to XLR out, 0dB gain, 0dBu input
  • Dynamic Range: 112 dB
  • Frequency Response: +0/-0.5dB 20Hz to 20kHz
  • Headroom: +18dB
  • Internal operating Level: 0dBu
  • dBFS Alignment: +18dBu = 0dBFS (+22dBu at XLR output)
  • Meter Calibration: 0dB meter = -18dBFS (+4dBu at XLR out)
  • Meter Peak indication: -3dBFS (+19dBu at XLR out), multi-point sensing
  • Meter Signal indication: -48dBFS (-26dBu at XLR out)
  • Meter Type: Fast (peak) response
  • Sampling Rate: 48kHz +/-100PPM
  • ADC, DAC: 24-bit Delta-Sigma
  • Latency: 1.2 ms (local XLR in to XLR out), 0.7 ms (local XLR in to AES out)
  • Operating Temperature Range: 0 deg C to 35 deg C (32 deg F to 95 deg F)
  • Mains Power 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz
  • Maximum Power Consumption: 150W
• USB Audio
  • Qu-Drive: USB A
  • Stereo Record: 2 channel, WAV, 48kHz, 24-bit, patchable
  • Stereo Playback: 2 channel, WAV, 44.1 or 48kHz, 16 or 24-bit, to ST3
  • Multitrack Record: 18 channel, WAV, 48kHz, 24-bit, patchable
  • Multitrack Playback: 18 channel, WAV, 48kHz, 24-bit
  • USB Audio Streaming: USB B, Core Audio compliant
  • Send (upstream): 32 channel, WAV, 48kHz, 24-bit
  • Return (downstream): 32 channel, WAV, 48kHz, 24-bit
• Control
  • SoftKeys: 10
  • Mute Groups: 4
  • DCA Groups: 4
  • Network: TCP/IP Ethernet for MIDI and iPad app
• Input Processing
  • Source: CH1-32 Local, dSNAKE, or USB; ST1, ST2 Local, dSNAKE, or USB; ST3 Local, dSNAKE, or USB Stereo; USB Global Source Qu-Drive or USB B Streaming
  • Stereo Linking: Odd/even input pairs
  • Parameters linked: EQ, dynamics, insert, delay, assignments, sends
  • Link options: Preamp, polarity, Sidechain, fader/mute, pan
  • Polarity: Normal/Reverse
  • High Pass Filter: 12dB/octave 20Hz – 2kHz
  • Insert: Assign FX1-4 into Input channels
  • Delay: Up to 85ms
  • Gate: Self-key Sidechain
  • Threshold / Depth: -72dBu to +18dBu / 0 to 60dB
  • Attack / Hold / Release: 50us to 300ms / 10ms to 5s / 10ms to 1s
  • PEQ: 4-Band fully parametric, 20-20kHz, +/- 15dB
  • Band 1: Selectable LF Shelving (Baxandall), Bell
  • Band 2, Band 3: Bell
  • Band 4: Selectable HF Shelving (Baxandall), Bell
  • Bell Width: Non-constant Q, variable, 1.5 to 1/9th octave
  • Compressor: Self-key Sidechain
  • Threshold / Ratio: -46dBu to 18dBu / 1:1 to infinity
  • Attack / Release: 300us – 300ms / 100ms - 2s
  • Knee: Soft/Hard
  • Types: Peak Manual, RMS Manual, SlowOpto, PunchBag
• Mix Processing
  • Channel Direct Out to USB: Follow Fader, follow Mute (global options)
  • Source select (global): Post-Preamp, Pre-EQ, Post-EQ, PostDelay
  • Insert: Assign FX into Mix channels
  • Delay: Up to 170ms
  • GEQ: Constant 1/3 oct, 28 bands 31Hz-16kHz, +/-12dB Gain
  • PEQ: 4-Band fully parametric, 20-20kHz, +/- 15dB
  • Band 1: Selectable LF Shelving (Baxandall), Bell
  • Band 2, Band 3: Bell
  • Band 4: Selectable HF Shelving (Baxandall), Bell
  • Bell Width: Non-constant Q, variable, 1.5 to 1/9th octave
  • Compressor: Self-key Sidechain
  • Threshold / Ratio: -46dBu to 18dBu / 1:1 to infinity
  • Attack / Release: 300us – 300ms / 100ms - 2s
  • Knee: Soft/Hard
  • Types: Peak Manual, RMS Manual, SlowOpto, PunchBag
• FX
  • Internal FX: 4x RackFX engine, Send>Return or Inserted
• Audio Tools
  • Types Reverbs, Delays, Gated Reverb, ADT; Chorus, Symphonic Chorus, Phaser,Flanger
  • 4 dedicated Stereo FX returns: Fader, Pan, Mute, Routing to Mix/LR, 4-Band PEQ
  • PAFL: PFL or stereo in-place AFL, 0 to -24dB Trim, 85ms Delay
  • Talkback: Assignable to any mix, 12dB/oct HPF
  • Signal Generator: Assignable to any mix, Sine/White/Pink/Band-pass Noise
  • RTA: 31-Bands 1/3 octave 20-20kHz, follows PAFL source

Physical & Dimensions

• Width: 435.5mm
• Depth: 174.5mm
• Height: 161mm
• Weight: 5.7kg

What's in the Box?

• 1 Qu-SB
• 1 Mains Lead
• 1 Getting Started Quide
• 1 Safety Sheet

Qu-SB Accessories

• AR2412 – 24 inputs, 12 outputs AudioRack with dSNAKE connection and expansion port for personal monitoring.
• AR84 – 8 inputs, 4 outputs AudioRack with dSNAKE connection.
• AB168 – Portable, rugged 16 inputs, 8 outputs stagebox with dSNAKE connection and expansion port for personal monitoring.
• AH9650 – 100m drum of EtherFlex Cat5 with locking Neutrik EtherCon connectors.
• AH9981 – 50m drum of EtherFlex Cat5 with locking Neutrik EtherCon connectors
• AH9651 – 20m of Neutrik EtherFlex Cat5 with locking Neutrik EtherCon connectors.
• QU-SB-RK19X – Rack mounting kit for Qu-SB.