Allen & Heath have unveiled their new SQ+ range of digital mixers! If you’re as excited as we are, let’s not waste any time and dive straight in.
A Fresh Look and Feel
The SQ+ series introduces a sleek “black on graphite” finish, aligning it visually with the CQ and Qu ranges. From fader caps to rotary controls and even the screws, everything has been given a darker, more refined aesthetic that feels right at home in high-end setups.
The touchscreen has also had a welcome upgrade (now 9” instead of 7”) giving you more room to work and improving overall usability. Paired with a newly redesigned dark-mode GUI, the whole interface feels more modern, more focused, and easier on the eye during long sessions.
Updated UX Without the Learning Curve
While the interface has had a visual refresh, the core navigation remains familiar. If you’ve used an SQ before, you’ll feel right at home … no steep learning curve here.
What has changed is the addition of several workflow improvements inspired by the Qu series. These include:
- Faster, more intuitive patching
- Channel naming and colour customisation
- Clear visual indicators for patched channels
- Improved labelling consistency
- More channels visible on screen at once
- Handy functions like ‘Set Default’, ‘Clear’, and ‘+1’
- A full meters overview
- Easier navigation between layers
- A mini meter map for quick reference
It’s all about speeding things up and making day-to-day operation that bit smoother.
More Power Where It Matters
The SQ+ retains its 48 input processing channels, but now there’s even more under the hood. With expanded DEEP processing capabilities, you’ve got access to:
- Source Expander
- Dual Threshold Expander
- CompStortion
These additions give you greater control over dynamics and tone shaping, right at the channel level.
RackUltra FX: A Big Step Up
This is where things get really interesting.
The SQ+ series includes 8 standard FX engines, plus 4 dedicated RackUltra FX engines, along with their own sends and returns for increased routing flexibility.
These RackUltra engines can run standard effects, but they really shine with the newer, more advanced options, including:
- Spaces and Plate reverbs
- Vocal Tuner
- Gridder
- Shifter
- Harmoniser (2 and 4 voice)
- Amp + Cab Distortion
- Saturator
And there’s more on the way, with upcoming additions like MIDI Harmoniser and Rhythm Delay set to expand the toolkit even further.
The included RackUltra FX Essentials package already delivers a strong starting point, covering key effects like Spaces, Plate, and Saturator for professional-grade sound shaping straight out of the box.
Feature Comparison to SQ Orignals
Here's how the features stack up against the original SQ series:
To Conclude
The SQ+ series builds on a solid foundation with meaningful upgrades: a larger screen, enhanced DEEP processing, and a serious boost in FX capability thanks to the new RackUltra engines.
All of this comes while keeping the familiar SQ workflow intact, so you get more power without added complexity. And, of course, it’s still backed by Allen & Heath’s 2-year manufacturer warranty.
SQ+ is already in stock at Leisuretec so call us to discuss your digital mixing requirements.
Special Trade Pricing on ORIGINAL SQ Series
Don't forget that we've stocked up on the original SQ series with reduced prices, making this iconic desk more affordable than ever. Ideal for anyone who doesn't need the latest features and simply wants an excellent mixer at an unbeatable price.
