best allen and heath console

This Allen & Heath CQ-18T has been sitting on my wishlist for a while, and I finally got my hands on it. As soon as I unpacked it, I was struck by how sleek and modern the 7-inch capacitive touchscreen looks—it’s bright, responsive, and easy to navigate.

What really caught my attention is how intuitive the interface feels. The rotary control combined with the SoftKeys makes quick adjustments a breeze.

I tested the Wi-Fi setup, and it connected seamlessly to my network, which is a huge time-saver during setup and live use.

The layout is flexible with 16 mic or line inputs, including 8 combi jacks, plus stereo line inputs. I appreciated how straightforward it was to route signals and assign effects, thanks to the clear visual feedback on the touchscreen.

Speaking of effects, the four FX engines provided a nice variety, and I was able to tweak them easily on the fly.

Recording and playback options are impressive—24×22 USB interface and SD card support mean you can record directly or play backing tracks without extra gear. The built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth inputs add huge convenience for wireless streaming or quick device pairing.

Overall, this console feels robust, with plenty of connectivity options and user-friendly features that streamline live sound or recording tasks. The only downside I noticed was that the touchscreen, while great overall, can sometimes become a bit distracting during intense mixing sessions, requiring a little extra focus.

It’s late afternoon, and I’m backstage at a local gig, trying to get everything set up quickly before the band hits their second set. I reach for the Allen & Heath Qu-5, and it immediately feels solid in my hands, with a sleek, compact design that doesn’t sacrifice build quality.

The surface is surprisingly intuitive for a digital mixer of this size, with clearly labeled knobs and a responsive touchscreen.

The first thing I notice is how easy it is to navigate through the menus. The interface is crisp, and the tactile faders and knobs make adjusting levels feel natural, almost like a traditional analog console.

There’s a reassuring weight to the unit, and the craftsmanship shows in the attention to detail, like the sturdy fader caps and high-quality materials.

During setup, I appreciate the flexibility of the routing options. It’s straightforward to assign channels and create custom mixes on the fly, which is essential during live performances.

The sound quality is pristine, with plenty of headroom and clarity, even at higher volumes. The effects and EQ options are versatile, giving me control without overwhelming complexity.

What really stands out is how reliable it feels. I didn’t encounter any glitches or lag, even when juggling multiple inputs and outputs.

It’s a powerful tool that manages to be both user-friendly and feature-rich, making it ideal for gigs, church services, or even smaller events. Overall, the Qu-5 balances careful craftsmanship with practical functionality, making it a top choice for anyone serious about sound quality and ease of use.

As I lifted the Allen & Heath Qu-5D out of its box, I immediately appreciated its solid, sleek design. That 7-inch capacitive touchscreen caught my eye first—bright, responsive, and surprisingly intuitive for such a complex piece of gear.

Once powered up, I dove into its 38 channels, and the motorized faders moved smoothly, almost whisper-quiet. The layout feels logical, and the touch interface makes tweaking EQs or effects feel natural—like talking to a familiar friend.

The built-in Dante interface is a game-changer. Connecting multiple audio sources without fuss, I could route sound effortlessly across my network.

The USB-C audio interface worked flawlessly, handling multiple tracks without latency or dropout.

What impressed me most is how this console balances power and ease of use. It’s capable of handling huge gigs but still feels approachable for smaller setups.

The 16-in/16-out Dante and 24-out audio channels make it flexible for live sound, recording, or streaming.

There are a few quirks—like the slightly steep learning curve if you’re new to digital consoles—but overall, it’s incredibly stable and reliable. For anyone serious about professional sound, this console delivers a lot of value in a compact, well-designed package.

The moment I unboxed the Allen & Heath Qu-5, I was struck by its sleek, modern design. The 7-inch capacitive touchscreen glided smoothly under my fingertips, instantly feeling intuitive.

Its sturdy build and weight give it a premium feel that promises durability in busy environments.

Handling the 17 motized faders was a joy—each one moved with precision, making mixing seamless. The 38 channels are surprisingly compact, yet they feel spacious enough for detailed adjustments.

The 16 mic preamps are noticeably transparent, capturing vocals and instruments with clarity without adding noise.

Connecting my gear was straightforward thanks to the USB-C audio interface, which handled my laptop’s output effortlessly. The interface supports 96kHz XCVI Ce, ensuring high-quality recordings.

Using the touchscreen, I navigated menus easily, finding all controls within a tap or two, even in low light.

One feature I really appreciated was the ability to store multiple scenes—perfect for live shows or studio setups. The preamps are powerful, and the overall audio quality is impressive for both live sound and recording.

However, the learning curve can be steep initially, especially if you’re new to digital mixers.

Overall, this mixer combines professional-grade features with user-friendly controls, making it a versatile choice for many applications. It’s robust, packed with features, and delivers excellent sound quality—definitely a top-tier Allen & Heath console.

From the moment I unboxed the Allen & Heath CQ-12T, I was struck by its sleek design and sturdy build. The 7-inch capacitive touchscreen feels responsive right out of the box, making navigating through menus a breeze.

I immediately appreciated the tactile rotary control—it adds a nice tactile feel amidst all the digital finesse.

Setting up the inputs was straightforward, thanks to the clear labeling and intuitive layout. I loved that I could connect up to 10 mics or line inputs, with five being combo jacks—perfect for versatile setups.

The stereo Bluetooth input was surprisingly smooth, with minimal lag, which is great for wireless streaming during live events.

The 16×16 USB interface is a game-changer, allowing seamless recording and playback—no more tangled wires or complicated configurations. Using the SD card slot for recording was equally simple, and the interface’s responsiveness kept me confident during live adjustments.

The three SoftKeys are customizable, giving quick access to my most-used functions. The touchscreen combined with the rotary control makes navigating complex mixes less overwhelming.

Overall, this console feels like a professional tool that balances power with ease of use, perfect for both small gigs and more involved productions.

After extended testing, I found the build quality to be excellent—robust and reliable. The only minor annoyance was that the touchscreen, while responsive, sometimes requires a gentle tap, especially when the screen gets a bit smudged from frequent use.