Allen & Heath CQ18T Mixer (Digital) ALLEN&HEATH

The Allen & Heath CQ-18T is a compact, feature-packed digital mixer that is part of the company's "CQ" series. It is designed for a wide range of applications, including gigging bands, rehearsal spaces, home recording, streaming, and corporate AV.

Key Features and Highlights

• Compact and Portable Design: The CQ-18T is small enough to fit in a backpack, making it highly portable for musicians and engineers on the go.

• 96kHz Audio Processing: The mixer operates at a high sample rate of 96kHz, which delivers excellent audio quality typically found in more expensive consoles.

• Assistive Mixing Tools: Allen & Heath has incorporated "smart" tools to simplify the mixing process, especially for less experienced users.

  • Gain Assistant: This feature automatically and accurately sets the optimal gain level for one or multiple input channels and continues to monitor levels to prevent clipping.

  • Feedback Assistant: The system automatically detects and eliminates feedback frequencies using up to 16 filters per output, which is a great tool for live sound situations.

• Flexible Channel Modes: Every input channel can be switched between two modes:

  • Quick Channels: These provide instrument and application-specific processing with a simplified interface, allowing you to dial in a full channel of processing with a single knob.

  • Complete Channels: This mode offers full, in-depth control over parameters for those who want to fine-tune every aspect of their mix.

• Integrated Wi-Fi and App Control: The CQ-18T has powerful built-in dual-band Wi-Fi, so you don't need an external router. The free CQ MixPad app gives you full wireless control of the mixer from a tablet or phone from anywhere in the venue.

• Recording and Playback Options: The mixer offers versatile recording capabilities:

  • SD Card: Multitrack recording and playback (24x22 at 48kHz, 16x16 at 96kHz).

  • USB Audio Interface: A 24-in/22-out USB-B audio interface allows for high-quality multitrack recording, playback, and streaming with a computer and DAW.

  • USB-A: Stereo recording and playback to a USB key.

  • Bluetooth: Stereo Bluetooth input for audio playback from a phone or other device.

• I/O (Inputs and Outputs):

  • Inputs: 16 mic/line inputs (8 XLR, 8 XLR/TRS combo) plus a stereo line input.

  • Outputs: 2 main XLR outputs, 6 assignable 1/4" TRS outputs for monitor mixes, and 2 assignable 1/4" TRS headphone outputs.

• User Interface: The mixer features a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen, along with tactile rotary encoders and customizable "SoftKeys" for quick access to essential functions.

• Automatic Mic Mixer (AMM): This feature is available on all input channels and helps to reduce background noise and improve clarity for speech-based applications like conferences or theater productions.

• Built-in Effects: The CQ-18T includes four "Smart-FX" engines with a suite of new reverbs, delays, and modulation effects with instrument-specific presets. It also has an "FX Assist" tool that helps shape the effects to ensure they complement the mix.