Allen & Heath SQ-7

The Allen & Heath SQ-7 is the largest console in the SQ range. It has 32+1 motorized faders on 6 layers and 32 local mic inputs. There are also 16 XLR line outputs, 16 SoftKeys and 8 Soft Rotaries. Like the SQ-5 and SQ-6, it mixes 48 input channels at 96kHz into 12 stereo mixes plus LR. In addition, it has 3 stereo matrices and 8 stereo FX engines. Showcaller AI controls the Allen & Heath SQ-7 by voice or chat through its Ethernet port.

How Showcaller connects to the Allen & Heath SQ-7

Showcaller reaches the console through the Showcaller Bridge App on your show network. It uses the SQ’s own MIDI control over TCP port 51325. Two console settings matter. First, the MIDI channel must match the one set in Showcaller. Second, the NRPN fader law must be Linear Taper, so dB levels are accurate. Once that is done, the operator can ask mute the choir mics or Aux 9 up 2 dB. They can also say mute group 3 on before a video plays. Showcaller then reads mutes and levels back and reports any mismatch. The Allen & Heath SQ integration page lists every Tool Function.

A full-size surface, the same Tool Functions

The SQ-7’s 32 faders put more channels on the surface at once. Still, Showcaller works on the mix engine, not on fader layers. So the Tool Functions are the same as on the SQ-5 and SQ-6. The one difference is the SoftKeys. The SQ-7 has 16, and Showcaller can press any of them on the Enterprise plan. However, the 8 Soft Rotaries are not part of the Tool Functions. Likewise, preamp gain on the 32 local inputs is set at the console.

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 FX return levels. It also adds the 8 DCAs and the 8 mute groups. Finally, Enterprise adds SoftKeys and scene recall from 1 to 300. Since a recall replaces the live mix, Showcaller asks you to confirm it first. For full specs, see Allen & Heath’s SQ-7 product page.