Allen & Heath SQ5 "Swiss" rig walk through

[@revelationevents2323]

I recently bought an sq6 and up to this point I like it: but I see many threads online talking about problems with Allen and heath in general with sticky faders and frozen screens. Mostly with the avantis. What’s your experience with the sq? Do you really trust it? How long have you used it? How about working it in the hot weather?

[@lukasschrauber]

I only had one overheating issue last year, no worries so far.

[@karolandres4195]

Do you feel any difference between AR and DX? have you ever though of upgrading it?

[@lukasschrauber]

Yes, big difference. The 96k are a real step up. Most of my bands have 24 inputs or less and I didn't want to use 2 units. But I want to upgrade to avantis next year.

[@michaelmikejameswillliams8373]

Hi Lukas, thankyou for running us through your setup. Please explain the tie line setup to your monitor desk and how you connect.

[@lukasschrauber]

I plan to do a video on that when we prep for our show in December.

[@hubaszarvas2106]

am I right that all the signals from stage boxes run to receiptors on MIC level, symmetrical?

[@lukasschrauber]

you are correct

[@imark7777777]

Cool. Those are a neat snake systems. I've gotten into the Sound tools cat rack stuff which is kind of nice at 8 channels at a time.

[@kenmartini9018]

Lukas, I see your RTA mic is direct connected and you are using the SQ5 as the sound card for your laptop. I am wanting to do something similar. I see many people using a separate audio interface such as a Focusrite to rout the RTA and pink noise. Using the SQ seems a lot easier than a separate sound IO. Let me know if that correct. Also I see you have the RTA mic at the back of your mixer. Are you taking a single overall reading from that location, or do you move the mic around for several reference points?

[@lukasschrauber]

Hey buddy, yes, I use the SQ as my audio interface with my laptop. As there are 32 ins and outs why not use it? No need for a separate interface, just do it in the box. I just made another video on that. I generally use my RTA mic at my listening position. Sometimes on a mic stand at FOH, sometimes with a clamp on my laptop stand. That is just to visualize what I am hearing. I am not a system tuner, I just want to see what I hear, if that makes sense.

[@MickKerr]

Love the googly eyes

[@Andithewicked]

nice setup!!!

[@kenmartini9018]

Thanks for the reply, and your new USB linkup video. It was hugely helpful for me. Now that I have things connected I am onto figuring out RTA software. I currently have Open Sound Meter to practice on. I will purchase Smaart when I am more proficient. Looking on KZbin I could not find any instruction video for Smart, or Open Sound Meter that I could easily understand. The presenters speak rapidly and take for granted that the viewer knows the various functions of sound analysis. You have a nice way of explaining things that is inclusive of various skill levels. It would be great if you could make an in-depth video on how to use either, or both of these programs. Once again I thank you for your generosity in sharing your knowledge.

[@lukasschrauber]

Will do as soon as I have the time. Thanks for being so positive, the internet isn't always :-)

[@NickGdrl]

Hello and thanks for the vid! Would you have the reference for that little stand you use for your genelec talkback speaker plz? 😅 Thanks a bunch Cheers

[@lukasschrauber]

Thanks! The stand is called "Millenium DS-10" and I bought it for 10€ at Thomann.

[@NickGdrl]

Thanks!

[@GuillaumeLortie]

Good job 👍🏻

[@AndreSchaier]

Very nice!

[@keithholmes6776]

The stage boxes and multiway connectors - who supplies them? Thanks

[@lukasschrauber]

I had them custom made by a north German company called "Groh PA".

[@video-en-direct]

sound ingeneer with no mike on him

[@lukasschrauber]

Why would I? Anything you can't hear or understand?

[@video-en-direct]

@@lukasschrauber teasing u bro ^^

[@lukasschrauber]

@@video-en-direct 🙈😜

[@zut25]

Does the Waves tracks just record the mixer channels with processing or are they able to be pre fader? or is that another option?

[@lukasschrauber]

Hi, I am using direct outs post gain. You can customize if the recording should be pre/post fader and follow mute globally in the desk.

[@kenmartini9018]

Lukas, What a great setup. Thanks for sharing. I learned some new things. What laptop stand are you using, it looks very sturdy? Also, is the Tracks Live program stand alone, or does it need to have a SoundGrid system to function?

[@lukasschrauber]

Hi buddy, I just uploaded a video on my laptop stand. And Waves Tracks is just a stand alone program, no additonal hardware needed.

[@cervenykaravan]

TOP VIDEO!

[@Josh-ri7hy]

Who made your multipin snake setup?

[@lukasschrauber]

North German company called "Groh PA"

[@solusfides]

I'm looking to invest in my own console soon. Considering SQ5, SQ6 or Avantis. I use SQ6 and dLive at some venues, so familiar with both. Glad to see Tracks Live is still working for you. They've discontinued the app and didn't work for me the last time I tried it (might have been on the Mac side, which updates more often than windows). How important is SMART for you? Is it something I should consider as part of my rig when I build it?

[@lukasschrauber]

Hi buddy, Tracks actually stopped working for me on my old Laptop, so I got the new one and with Win11 it worked. I don't know why or how, but it does. Smaart 8 is actually one of the most important tools I have in my arsenal. I tune every system I work on with it and I can monitor my mix very well with it. 1. I can tune the house system to be flat responsive. 2. I can see feedback frequencies and my mix balance during the show. 3. I can monitor SPL and loudness during the show. So Smaart gives me all the parimeters I need to make the best and loudest mix I can and should. I would definetily recommend to investing in it. I will do more in depth videos on all my tools and settings asap. Hope that helps.

[@solusfides]

@@lukasschrauber any recommendations you might have for me as I consider my SQ or Avantis options? Or, is it very much an "it depends" kinda thing? I enjoy the clean and simple workflow of SQ, and definitely the far-superior iPad app. BUT, coming from dLive, I feel like I'd miss the dedicated dyn-8 inserts that would eat up the precious few fx racks on sq. If you could only invest once in a console, would you shoot for SQ or Avantis?

[@VionicBlue]

AH just announced the Avantis Solo with 12 faders instead of 24. Will be interesting to see how it compares to the C1500 price and performance wise!