Allen & Heath SQ-5

Showcaller AI runs the Allen & Heath SQ-5 by voice or chat, over the console's own network MIDI control. It covers mutes, faders and Aux mixes. It also covers DCAs, mute groups, the 8 SoftKeys and scene recall.

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Overview

The Allen & Heath SQ-5 with Showcaller

The Allen & Heath SQ-5 is a 48-channel, 96kHz digital mixer in a compact, rack-mountable frame. It has 16+1 motorized faders on 6 layers and 16 local mic inputs. It also has 12 stereo mixes plus LR, 3 stereo matrices and 8 stereo FX engines. A 7-inch touchscreen and 8 assignable SoftKeys sit on its surface. In addition, a Fast Ethernet port gives MIDI over TCP/IP control. Showcaller AI uses that port to run the Allen & Heath SQ-5 by voice or chat.

How Showcaller connects to the Allen & Heath SQ-5

Showcaller talks to the SQ-5 through the Showcaller Bridge App on your show network. It uses TCP port 51325. First, note the console’s MIDI channel under Utility, General, MIDI. Then set the NRPN fader law to Linear Taper, so levels in dB stay accurate. After that, the operator can ask mute the audience mics or Aux 3 down 2 dB. They can also ask more lectern in the presenter’s in-ear or pull DCA 2 down. Showcaller reads mutes and levels back from the console after each change. If they do not match, it tells you. The Allen & Heath SQ integration page lists every Tool Function.

What is specific to the SQ-5

The SQ-5 has 8 SoftKeys, while the SQ-6 and SQ-7 have 16. So on this console, Showcaller presses SoftKeys 1 to 8. Each key fires whatever it is set to do, such as tap tempo or talkback. Allen & Heath also sells an SQ-5 Rack Kit for a 12U rack mount. That suits a side rack or a booth with little desk space. Meanwhile, the mix engine is the same on all three SQ consoles. As a result, input, Aux, FX and DCA control work just as they do on a larger SQ.

Tool Functions by plan

Starter covers input faders and mutes into the main LR mix. It also covers the Main LR master and the 12 Aux/Mix masters, with reads for each. Pro adds each input’s send to an Aux/Mix and to FX 1 to 4. It also adds FX return levels, the 8 DCAs and the 8 mute groups. Finally, Enterprise adds the SoftKeys and scene recall from 1 to 300. Because a recall replaces the live mix, Showcaller asks you to confirm it first. For full specs, see Allen & Heath’s SQ-5 product page.

What you can do

Run the Allen & Heath SQ-5 by voice or chat

SoftKeys 1 to 8
Press any of the SQ-5's 8 assignable SoftKeys by voice or chat to fire its action (Enterprise).
Mutes and levels, read back
Mute inputs and ride input faders, the Main LR master and the 12 Aux/Mix masters (Starter). Mutes and levels are read back after each change.
In-ear and wedge mixes
Set each input's send to an Aux/Mix and to FX 1-4, and set FX return levels (Pro).
DCAs and mute groups
Ride and mute the 8 DCAs, and mute or unmute the 8 mute groups (Pro).
Scene recall, confirmed first
Recall scenes 1 to 300 on the Enterprise plan. Showcaller asks you to confirm, because a recall replaces the live mix.

Specifications

Allen & Heath SQ-5 at a glance

Mixing

Input channels: 48 (96kHz XCVI FPGA engine)
Mixes: 12 stereo mixes (Aux or Group) + LR, 3 stereo matrices; 36 busses in total
FX: 8 stereo FX engines with dedicated stereo returns
DCA / mute groups: 8 DCA groups, 8 mute groups
Scenes: 300 scene memories per show

I/O

Local inputs: 16 mic inputs (XLR) + talkback, 2 stereo 1/4" inputs, 1 stereo 3.5 mm input
Local outputs: 12 XLR + 2 TRS line outputs, AES digital output
Expansion: SLink port for remote audio; 64x64 I/O port for Dante, Waves, MADI or SLink cards
USB: 32x32 96kHz USB audio interface; SQ-Drive recording to USB

Control & network

Faders / SoftKeys: 16+1 motorized faders on 6 layers; 8 assignable SoftKeys
Display: 7" capacitive touchscreen
Network port: Fast Ethernet (100 Mbit/s), MIDI over TCP/IP control
Manufacturer apps: SQ MixPad, SQ4You

Physical

Dimensions (W x D x H): 440 x 514.9 x 198 mm (17.3 x 20.3 x 7.8"); rack-mountable with the SQ-5 Rack Kit (12U)
Weight / power: 10.5 kg (23.1 lbs) / 75 W max

From Allen & Heath

Specifications from the manufacturer. Check the product page for the current details.

Connection

Connecting the Allen & Heath SQ-5

Control protocol: The SQ's own MIDI control over TCP/IP, through the Showcaller Bridge App. The Bridge App runs on a computer on the same network as the console.
Port: TCP 51325
Console connection: The SQ-5's Ethernet network port, which Allen & Heath provides for MIDI over TCP/IP control and the mixing apps. Put it on the same network as the Bridge App computer.
Console settings: Under Utility > General > MIDI, note the MIDI channel (1 by default) and set the NRPN fader law to Linear Taper.
What Showcaller asks for: The console's IP address, the matching MIDI channel and the model (Allen & Heath SQ-5)
Model family in Showcaller: SQ (shared by SQ-5, SQ-6 and SQ-7)
Connection check: The Get status Tool Function reads back the Main LR mute state. That confirms the console is answering.

Tool Functions

Everything Showcaller can do with Allen & Heath SQ

The Allen & Heath SQ-5 uses the Allen & Heath SQ integration. Each group shows the plan it is included from.

Starter1 FunctionDevice DiagnosticsVerify SQ console network connectivity and link health.Starter4 FunctionsChannel Fader & MuteRemotely mute inputs and adjust individual channel fader levels.Starter8 FunctionsMain & Aux OutputsControl the Main LR master and Aux/Mix output faders and mutes.Pro6 FunctionsMix Sends & FX RoutingAdjust monitor-mix sends, FX sends, and FX return levels.Pro6 FunctionsDCA & Mute GroupsControl DCA group masters and trigger mute groups.Enterprise2 FunctionsScene & Soft KeysRecall console scenes and trigger assignable soft keys.

FAQ

Questions about the Allen & Heath SQ-5

Which SoftKeys can Showcaller press on the SQ-5?

SoftKeys 1 to 8, the eight keys on the SQ-5. Each press fires whatever the key is set to do on the console. This needs the Enterprise plan.

Does Showcaller confirm changes on the SQ-5?

Yes, for mutes and levels. Showcaller reads them back from the console after each change and tells you when they do not match.

Why does the NRPN fader law matter?

Showcaller converts dB values with the Linear Taper law. If the console uses another fader law, the levels Showcaller sets and reads will not match what you asked for.

Can Showcaller change preamp gain or EQ on the SQ-5?

No. The SQ Tool Functions cover mutes, faders, sends, FX returns, DCAs, mute groups, SoftKeys and scene recall. Preamp gain, phantom power, EQ and dynamics are not part of them.

Which Showcaller plan do I need?

Starter covers diagnostics, input faders and mutes, and the Main LR and Aux/Mix masters (13 Tool Functions). Pro adds Aux and FX sends, FX returns, DCAs and mute groups (12 more). Enterprise adds SoftKeys and scene recall (2 more). Each plan includes the Tool Functions of the plans below it.

Same integration

Other Allen & Heath SQ models

Allen & Heath SQ-6Model page
Allen & Heath SQ-7Model page