Overview:
The Allen & Heath Qu-3 is a compact 32-channel, 96 kHz digital mixer. It fits the processing power of the new Qu range into a desktop form factor with 8+1 motorised faders. It uses the same 96 kHz XCVI core as the larger Qu-5/6/7 models, with 36 inputs to mix, 12 mixes, 4 matrix outputs and a stereo main LR bus.
The 7" capacitive touchscreen (1000 nits) is angled for desktop use, which suits AV, conference, broadcast and studio work where space is limited. The Qu-3 is DEEP processing ready, with optional DEEP and RackExtra FX add-ons from dLive. It also includes Gain Assistant, Feedback Assistant and a built-in 32-channel Automatic Mic Mixer with no added latency. Recording options are 32x32 USB-C, SD card multitrack and USB-A stereo. An SLink port connects it to the Everything I/O expander family. Free remote apps cover Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
Features:
Processing and mixing
- 96 kHz XCVI core with up to 96-bit internal depth and under 0.7 ms latency
- 36 inputs to mix (32 mono/linkable, 2 stereo)
- 12 mixes (6 mono/linkable aux/group, 6 stereo aux/group)
- 4 mono/linkable matrix mixes and a stereo main LR output
- 6 multi-FX engines with dedicated stereo returns and PEQ
- Optional DEEP processing and RackExtra FX add-ons
- 32-channel zero-latency DEEP Automatic Mic Mixer
- Gain Assistant and Feedback Assistant (8 simultaneous detectors)
- 31/61-band real-time analyser
- 8 DCAs and 8 mute groups
Control
- 7" capacitive touchscreen with a dedicated touchscreen encoder
- 9 x 100 mm motorised faders
- 6 customisable channel strip layers
- 8 SoftKeys
- Channel displays and chromatic channel meter LEDs
- Configurable single or dual footswitch connection
- 300 scene memories per show, channel safes, and global and per-scene recall filters
- User permissions to restrict operator access
- DAW control emulation via USB or TCP/IP
- Remote control with Qu-MixPad and Qu4You apps
Connectivity
- 16 XLR/jack combi mic/line inputs
- 1 stereo line input (2x TRS)
- 8 XLR outputs
- 1 AES3 stereo digital output
- Stereo headphone output
- 128x128 SLink port for Everything I/O expanders (dSnake, DX, GX), ME personal monitoring and other A&H consoles
- RJ45 network port for apps and MIDI over TCP/IP
- USB-C and TCP/IP MIDI
Recording and playback
- USB-C audio interface, 32x32 at 48/96 kHz
- SD card multitrack, 16 channels at 96 kHz or 32 channels at 48 kHz
- USB-A stereo record/playback and data transfer
Physical
- 19" rack mountable (optional rack ear kit)
- IEC mains connection with worldwide PSU
Specs:
| Core | 96 kHz XCVI, up to 96-bit, latency <0.7 ms (local mic in to Main L/R) |
| Dynamic range / headroom | 110 dB / +18 dB |
| Frequency response | +0/-0.5 dB, 20 Hz–20 kHz |
| THD+N | 0.003% (-91 dB), mic/line to Main L/R at unity gain |
| Mic/line inputs | 16 balanced XLR/jack combi, fully recallable preamps |
| Preamp gain | 0 to +60 dB in 1 dB steps; fixed -20 dB pad on TRS |
| Max input level | +16 dBu (mic), +30 dBu (TRS with pad) |
| Input impedance | >1.5 kΩ (mic), >20 kΩ (TRS) |
| Phantom power | +48 V, switchable per socket (XLR only) |
| Stereo line input | 2x balanced 1/4" TRS, nominal +4 dBu, ±24 dB trim, max +21 dBu, >6 kΩ |
| XLR outputs | 8 balanced, nominal +4 dBu, max +22 dBu, <75 Ω, fully patchable |
| AES3 output | Balanced XLR 110 Ω, 2.5 Vpp, 44.1/48/88.2/96 kHz selectable |
| SLink | Neutrik EtherCON; dSnake (48 kHz, 40 in/20+40 ME out), DX (32x32, 96 kHz), GigaACE/GX (128x128, 96 kHz) |
| USB-A | Stereo record (48/96 kHz, 24-bit WAV), playback (44.1/48/96 kHz, 16/24-bit) |
| USB-C | 32x32 audio streaming at 48/96 kHz, 24-bit (USB 2.0 class compliant, ASIO/WDM for Windows) |
| SD card | SDHC, 32 GB UHS-I Class 10 recommended; 16 ch at 96 kHz / 32 ch at 48 kHz, 24-bit WAV |
| Touchscreen | 7" capacitive, 800 x 480, 1000 nits |
| Faders | 9 x 100 mm motorised |
| Network | Fast Ethernet (100 Mbit/s) for control and MIDI |
| Mains power | 100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, 67 W max |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 445 x 321 x 170 mm (17.5" x 12.7" x 6.7") |
| Weight | 6.91 kg (15.23 lbs) |
| Packed dimensions | 430 x 269 x 585 mm (16.9" x 12.5" x 23") |
| Packed weight | 8.73 kg (19.25 lbs) |