Allen & Heath Qu-16 Digital Audio Mixer (Discontinued)
Street Price:
Manufacturer:
Gearank High Notes
- June 2016: Equal Highest Rated Unpowered Mixing Console
Allen & Heath made a name for itself by building a special mixing console for Pink Floyd back in the early '70s.
They have since expanded into a big name manufacturer who also pioneered small mixers.
So it's not surprising that we previously recommended the Qu-16, a 16 channel mixer with built-in effects and a nifty top-rack mountable design for easy storage and transport.
Features:
- Inputs: 16 x XLR, 16 x TRS, 4 x 1/4" (2 stereo in), 1 x 1/8" TRS (stereo in), 1 x Ethernet dSnake, 1 x USB Type A
- Channels: 16
- Phantom power: 16 Channels
- Equalizer: Parametric EQ, 28-band graphic EQ
- Outputs: 2 x XLR (Main), 2 x 1/4" (2 track out), 2 x 1/4" (alt out), 4 x XLR (mono mix outs), 3 x XLR pairs (stereo mix outs), 1 x Ethernet dSnake, 1 x XLR AES, 1 x USB Type A
- Onboard Effects include Chorus, Reverb, Pitch Correction, Delay and Echo.
- Faders: 16 x 100mm channels, 1 x 100mm master
- Built-in effects
- Rackmountable form factor
- Weight: 22 lbs.
Pros
For a digital mixer, the Qu-16 got many positive mentions of its analog components, specifically its great sounding mic preamps. Almost every reviewer agrees that it sounds great for a wide variety of music applications, and many also commended its practical extra features including virtual soundcheck, EQ, effects and compression. Many also find the recording feature to be of great quality, and has been using the unit for live recording with great results.
Cons
There are users who reported that the learning curve for this digital mixer is a bit deep, but the rewards are well worth the extra time spent reading the manual and trying out different settings.
Overall
If you're looking for a great sounding mixing console desk that's rack mountable, or if you're looking for more control over your PA system via digital means, then check this one out.
This was previously on our recommended list and it only came off because we stopped publishing our previous guide to passive mixing consoles. At time of publication we were publishing a guide to The Highest Rated Powered Mixers.
