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2015/08/06 at 6:49 pm #49702
The OP would buy a mixer, hook it up for one day, return it for no good reason to try some random other mixer, then start the process all over again rather than read the slim, well written manual for his/her very nice $2,000 purchase? That’s a kind of lazy I cannot fathom.
“I have only two options, exchange it for another mixer to work as I need it or undo the purchase”
You always have a third option- learn something.
2015/07/29 at 11:44 pm #49623I believe some desks can send/return to and from the computer on the same mixer channels. I have never used a mixer like that, I don’t even know what the functionality is called, so someone correct me if I’m wrong. But I believe I have seen it mentioned as a feature of other mixers.
I’m guessing that would mean you could use a VST effect as an insert on a channel? Currently, on my Qu-16, I can send a track to a channel in the computer, add a VST and return route it to another channel on the mixer. I lose a channel that way. I don’t know what other benefits the “inline” feature would bring, but I thought I’d mention it here. The lack of that functionality may be the reason the Qu series aren’t always thought of as recording mixers.
Sorry for the lack of technical specificity.
2015/07/28 at 2:13 am #49556One thing not mentioned yet is that the Qu-16 doesn’t have physical channel inserts for compressors and EQs. That might be a consideration for the OP. I don’t know about inserts on the Qu-24 or the Qu-32?
2015/07/27 at 10:33 pm #49548Yes, exactly. I’m trying to learn to always return to the main layer. The lights are plenty bright, I just need new habits.
2015/07/27 at 9:38 pm #49545I am including the Mix Select “layers” because they use the faders as well and, in practice, function as another layer. When I get confused about where I am on the mixer, more often than not I am accidentally in a Mix Select layer rather than the “main” layer. I guess I could call it the Mix Select Area or Mix Select Fader Bank or something. It’s unimportant to the conversation.
2015/07/27 at 8:44 pm #49543If I had the space and money I would have gotten the Qu-24. It has more inputs and outputs, and it has groups which would be nice. However, I use groups inside of Logic so it’s not that much of an issue for me. I have found that I am using up all my inputs with my gear connected, which is probably a good thing so I don’t buy more outboard.
I wish the Qu had dedicated aux sends, but once again, it’s not really an issue because there are mix outputs- on the Qu-16 there are 4 mono, 3 stereo mix outs. I have a Chameleon Labs 7720 compressor, an Elysia Xfilter EQ, and a Strymon Big Sky reverb permanently hooked to the stereo mix outputs. I have two modulation pedals hooked to the first two mono mix outs.
The compressor and EQ come back on the ST1 and ST2 inputs so I won’t lose a bunch of channels that way. ST3 I keep for my hard drive. I mix through the Qu so I can use the internal effects and my outboard, and I mix it down to the hard disk I have connected to the Qu-drive. The reverb and two mono effects end up on tracks 15 & 16, 14, 13. 1 & 2 are my stereo returns from the computer (while recording), tracks 3-12 are inputs for my synth (4 outputs), Electribe (two outputs), bass D.I., mics for vocals, guitar, one amp. So I’m almost maxed.
The only things I do ITB anymore are editing files, grouping, some panning. Oh yeah, if I need to sidechain anything I do that in the DAW as well. There is ducking on the Qu-16 but it is rudimentary. I’ve used it, it works fine, but I like a lot of control if I’m sidechaining.
After I get everything recorded and edited I switch the mixer scene to my mix set-up which frees up all the inputs for tracks coming from the computer.
The Qu-16 is not big, it’s a nice desk size. The front face is tilted at a good angle. It’s an ingenious design, there is space under the face of the mixer, it keeps the air flowing. It never gets hot and there is no fan, so it is totally silent in operation.
The only difficult thing about using the mixer is remembering what layer I am on. The Qu-16 has twelve, including a custom layer. The buttons are well lit but it’s easy to get lost for a second or two.
I think it’s a great mixer. Part of my affection for the Qu-16 is how easy it is to get recording. Since I have a Mac, I can’t promise that your experience would be the same. Based on that, I would suggest you buy one from somewhere that has a good return policy or find someone who is using a Qu with a PC. I know of at least a few user at Gearslutz who are successfully using the Qu-24 with a PC, but I don’t know which OS they use.
Good luck to you. I am not the most technical person but I’ll check back on this thread to see if there are any other questions I can help you with.
2015/07/27 at 6:57 pm #49540For what it’s worth-
I was in your situation, got rid of my RME, now I have my whole studio wired to my Mac (Logic Pro X) through the Qu-16 and I love it. I think I’m working with 22 inputs/24 outputs. I use Core Audio with the Mac, so I don’t have any idea how the drivers perform with a PC. It’s been flawless as a recording solution using 24bit/48kHz. I like the preamps and I love the conversion. The effects are nice, it’s easy to use, the build is sturdy, flying faders!, it’s a class mixer.
I understand it’s a good live board, but it also makes a great recording front end. For lots of ins and outs, the Qu-24 is the best for the money, it has some nice features the Qu-16 doesn’t have like groups.
I love mine, but you should seriously shop around- it’s a big decision and a lot of cash!
2015/07/02 at 6:23 am #49093I am using the Qu-16 with a Macbook Air and Logic 10.0.7 on Mountain Lion. I have no trouble at all recording tracks into Logic, and at mix time I have twenty-two tracks streaming out of Logic back to the Qu. I run those tracks through outboard gear and mix down to the Qu-drive. I didn’t download any drivers, I am using Core Audio. Do you have Core Audio selected in Logic?
Let me explain that I am not very technically inclined, so my ability to assist might be limited.
2015/07/01 at 7:04 pm #49075January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC is the Unix epoch. It’s an arbitrary zero point from which all other dates and times are measured on Unix systems.
Is the Qu operating system unix?OR
There are a few funny little easter eggs in the graphics of the Qu effects, so perhaps January 1, 1970 is a significant date for Allen & Heath?
2015/06/02 at 9:30 pm #48407I came from recording with FMR Real Nice Preamps, as well as a Joe Meek VC6Q British Channel into an RME ADI-2. The preamps and conversion in the Qu-16 are far superior. That’s not a huge surprise, but I was actually disappointed by the RME after recording through the Qu.
The noise floor is much lower with the Qu, I can hear delays fading away almost endlessly into nothing. My Strymon pedals sound fantastic on the mix outs. The mixer itself is totally silent, no fans. Great design.
I like the D/A as well, I can hear much more detail now. Even the headphone out is a step up from the RME.
I am recording into a Macbook/Logic and I haven’t had a single issue. I haven’t used the DAW control functions as I’m getting out of the box as much as possible.
It’s been a big sound and workflow improvement for me.
2015/05/08 at 10:26 pm #47876I’m using it mostly for recording. I don’t have a single complaint. As a USB interface into my Mac it’s been flawless, the best computer recording experience I’ve had. You’ll need to get another interface for MIDI in/out, though.
There are features on the Qu-16 that are geared toward live mixing, but A & H have done a great job of making the mixer work very well for both applications. It’s a wonderful piece of gear.
2015/05/07 at 10:04 pm #47832Wow, that is perfect. What a great resource, thanks so much.
2015/05/07 at 6:29 pm #47825Thank you for replying. That information calms me down.
2015/05/05 at 2:34 am #47751“Oh, the Qu recording sample rate is locked in and not changeable at 48 Khz. with 16 Bit depth…”
From the Allen and Heath literature:
Qu-16 has an integrated multitrack USB recorder, providing 18 channels of 48kHz 24bit recording and playback straight to / from your USB hard drive.So the Qu is locked in at 24bit.
2015/03/16 at 3:35 am #45976I would love an android app.
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