The Allen & Heath SQ5+ is a compact professional digital mixing console designed for live sound, AV installation, houses of worship, education, theatre, broadcast, streaming and venue audio systems. With 48 input channels, 44 buses and 17 motorised faders, the SQ5+ gives engineers a powerful mixing platform in the smallest frame within the SQ+ range, making it a strong choice where high channel count, hands-on control and compact footprint are all important.

At the heart of the SQ5+ is Allen & Heath’s 96kHz XCVI Core, delivering the processing power required for professional live sound and installed audio applications. The console provides 48 inputs to mix, 12 stereo aux/group mixes plus LR, and 6 mono/linkable matrix outputs, giving it the routing flexibility needed for front-of-house mixing, monitor sends, broadcast feeds, overflow zones, recording outputs and distributed venue audio.

The SQ5+ is built around a responsive 9" touchscreen with a dark user interface, designed to provide clear navigation and fast access to key mixing functions. This larger interface is paired with illuminated encoders, strip displays and Allen & Heath’s Chromatic channel metering, giving engineers clear visual feedback during live operation. Channels and mixes can be dragged and dropped to any strip, with custom naming and colour coding available to support faster workflow across different show files, venues and users.

For hands-on control, the SQ5+ includes 17x 100mm motorised faders, 6 channel strip layers and 8 assignable SoftKeys. This makes it suitable for users who need a compact console but still want fast access to key channels, mute groups, scene control, tap tempo, talkback, FX control or other frequently used functions. The compact footprint also makes the SQ5+ suitable for rack-mounted applications when used with the optional 19" rack kit, which is useful for fixed AV installs, touring racks, schools, churches and venues where space is limited.

Processing is comprehensive across both input channels and mixes. Each input channel includes HPF, gate with sidechain and filter, insert point, 4-band parametric EQ with RTA, and Peak/RMS compression. Mix outputs include parametric EQ, 28-band graphic EQ and compression, giving engineers the essential tools required for live mixing, system tuning, monitor control and venue audio management. The console is also DEEP Processing ready, allowing compatible analogue-style processor models to be embedded directly into channel and mix strips with no added latency.

Effects capability is a major strength of the SQ5+. The console includes 8 RackExtra FX engines with dedicated send and return channels, plus 4 built-in RackUltra FX engines with dedicated stereo sends and returns. RackUltra FX brings processing developed for Allen & Heath’s flagship dLive platform into the SQ+ range, giving users access to premium reverbs, vocal tools, pitch processors, saturation, distortion and other creative effects.

For recording, streaming and playback, the SQ5+ includes a built-in USB-B audio interface capable of 32x32 channels at both 96kHz and 48kHz. This makes it suitable for multitrack recording, livestreaming, virtual soundcheck and DAW-based workflows. The integrated SQ-Drive also supports direct recording and playback from a USB drive, including 16 channels at 96kHz, 32 channels at 48kHz or a simple stereo mix without requiring a laptop.

Local analogue connectivity includes 16x XLR mic/line input sockets, 12x XLR output sockets, 3x stereo line input sockets, 1x XLR talkback socket, 2x TRS output sockets and a stereo headphone output. Digital expansion is handled through a 128x128 Intelligent SLink port, which connects to Allen & Heath’s Everything I/O ecosystem including remote stage boxes, expanders and compatible consoles. A dedicated I/O expansion slot supports optional cards for Dante, MADI, Waves and additional SLink connectivity, making the SQ5+ suitable for more advanced networked audio and multi-format integration.

The SQ5+ is also well suited to conference, worship and corporate environments thanks to its automatic mic mixing capability. Two independent 24-channel AMMs can run simultaneously for separate zones or combine into a single 48-channel AMM for larger panel discussions, conferences, broadcast applications and speech-led events. Remote control is available through free apps across Windows, macOS, iOS and Android, giving engineers the flexibility to mix from different points in the venue.

The console is housed in a robust all-metal chassis with a contemporary carbon-on-graphite finish, designed for both touring and installation environments. The SQ-5 platform measures 440 x 514.9 x 198mm and weighs 10.5kg, making it compact enough for mobile use, rack integration and control positions where space is limited.

For audio professionals, venues and installers looking for a compact but highly capable digital mixing console, the Allen & Heath SQ5+ provides a strong balance of processing power, routing flexibility, modern workflow and expansion capability. With 48 input channels, 17 motorised faders, 96kHz XCVI processing, RackExtra and RackUltra FX, 32x32 USB audio, SLink expansion and optional audio networking, it is a professional mixing solution for live sound, installed AV, education, worship, theatre and streaming applications.