Allen & Heath SQ-6

The Allen & Heath SQ-6 is the mid-size console in the SQ range. It mixes 48 input channels at 96kHz, with 24+1 motorized faders on 6 layers. It has 24 local mic inputs and 14 XLR line outputs. There are also 16 assignable SoftKeys and 4 assignable Soft Rotaries around its 7-inch touchscreen. Like every SQ, it has 12 stereo mixes plus LR, 3 stereo matrices and 8 stereo FX engines. Showcaller AI controls the Allen & Heath SQ-6 by voice or chat over its Ethernet port.

How Showcaller connects to the Allen & Heath SQ-6

The connection runs through the Showcaller Bridge App on your show network. It uses the SQ’s own MIDI control over TCP port 51325. Before the show, check the console’s MIDI channel under Utility, General, MIDI. Also set the NRPN fader law to Linear Taper, so dB levels stay accurate. Then the crew can ask unmute the panel or main down 3 dB. For example, a monitor request can be more of the host in Aux 5. Showcaller reads mutes and levels back after each change and reports any mismatch. See the Allen & Heath SQ integration page for every Tool Function.

SoftKeys and Soft Rotaries on the SQ-6

The SQ-6 has 16 SoftKeys, twice as many as the SQ-5. Showcaller can press any of them, from 1 to 16, on the Enterprise plan. So a key set for talkback, tap tempo or a scene step works from chat. However, the 4 Soft Rotaries are not part of the Tool Functions. Showcaller does not turn them. In practice, assign the actions you want Showcaller to fire to SoftKeys instead.

Tool Functions by plan

Starter covers input mutes and faders into the main LR mix. It also covers the Main LR master and the 12 Aux/Mix masters. Pro adds Aux sends, sends to FX 1 to 4 and the FX return levels. It also adds the 8 DCAs and the 8 mute groups. Enterprise then adds SoftKeys and scene recall from 1 to 300. A recall replaces the live mix, so Showcaller asks you to confirm it first. For full specs, see Allen & Heath’s SQ-6 product page.