How to Multi-Track Record with the Allen & Heath SQ Digital Mixer and Pro Tools or other DAWs

In this video we'll show you how to record using an Allen & Heath SQ mixer and Pro Tools.
Learn more about the SQ series of mixer/interfaces here:
www.allen-heath.com/key-serie...
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[@skk6811]

1:49 that ascending direct I/O patch shortcut I didn't know even existed on the console, thanks!

[@David-zl7nk]

Thanks for the video! I definitely trust my ears when it comes to mixing, but audio engineering is so intertwined with IT and software now more than ever!

[@kackbraten5390]

Came here to see which expansion i need for multitrack recording with the SQ... well, i am pleasantly surprised!

[@JuanFelixMusic]

This is a great video

[@dharamtech77]

thanks

[@shockwaveaudioproductionsl4976]

Great video! Got the audio to return from PT landing on the USB input of the SQ (happy about that), but not on the channel 1 and channel 2 strip, as is in your video. I’m sure I’m doing something silly….

[@Johnbanthony]

I would check your Protools I/O and make sure that Out 1 and 2 are set for individual outs and not Main1-2, like they default to.

[@985live]

Great video. Can you do a video showing how to setup the SQ to logic for a church livestream?

[@Johnbanthony]

Thanks for watching, are you talking about doing the stream mix in Logic and sending that to OBS? If so, we can definitely put together a video on that. If something else, let us know.

[@985live]

@@Johnbanthony yes that’s what I meant. If you can help me out I would gladly appreciate it.

[@milanosde]

Hi, great video. Would you do the same for Logic? Is it possible to do a virtual soundcheck recording and playing back with a thumb thumbdrive?

[@Johnbanthony]

We just posted a multi-track recording with Logic video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKndoKt3idGKh8k

[@ICUFatCatDaddy]

I'd love to see Studio One.

[@Johnbanthony]

Noted!

[@davida863]

Great video. The channels going from the SQ mixer are pre or post faders?

[@Johnbanthony]

Under the Global Direct Out Settings, you can select for it to follow the fader or not. You also can choose where in the channel strip the record send is taken from.

[@blackjono2000]

I personally like to use the tie-lines to usb. As I don't want any show eq or processing to go to record. Better for virtual soundcheck too, so you don't eq twice etc.

[@evanzeemusic]

I am putting my hand up for a logic tutorial as well.

[@Johnbanthony]

It's on our list!

[@peterfolliard3540]

Awesome video, thanks for this! Would you be willing to upload your Pro Tools I/O Settings (.pio)?

[@Johnbanthony]

We made two, one with just the two main outs back to the SQ, like and interface, and a second to use like a virtual soundcheck, where you can route each protools channel to it’s own SQ channel: www.dropbox.com/sh/nqegyeesck2mrk3/AAAqEVjAWizsexbtQBOPmQCma?dl=0

[@PeterFolliard]

@@Johnbanthony Thanks so much for this! Super helpful for planning a session away from the board!

[@lordantwi1696]

Hello! Please set one up for logic

[@Wizerslapski]

2nd this, I will be using an sq6 to record a theater show in the near future

[@Johnbanthony]

The console portion of this will be the same regardless of DAW. Once in Logic, click the Logic ProX > preferences > Audio. Under Devices, select SQ Audio for input and output device. If you’re using it like an interface, you can leave the outputs as 1+2. If you’re doing a virtual soundcheck, or sending individual channels back to the SQ you’ll need to assign each output for every channel. Highlight all the tracks, hold shift and option, then change the output of the first track to output 1. This will order them sequentially like it did in protools. You can repeat the same for the input if you didn’t check the ascending box when creating the logic session.

[@soundidesign9653]

Hi. Thanks so much for the video! Is it possible to do a mix for the audience with the desk and also a seperate mix on my mac using studio one 4 at the same time? Its for a live church event and a livestream. Will i need dante?

[@Johnbanthony]

Yes, you can 100% do a separate mix with your daw. You can do this with the usb port or with the dante/waves cards. In the I/O screen, go to outputs > IP Direct Outputs and then route each channel to either usb or the card you’re using. If you’re using less than 32 channels, the usb port is fine. In the Routing screen, go to Global Direct Out Settings and use Direct Out Source to set where in the channel strip you want to send to your DAW. To get a totally raw signal, select Post Preamp.

[@soundidesign9653]

@@Johnbanthony thanks so much! so helpful;

[@robertsweigert3223]

Thanks for the concise video. I use tracks live for tracking (i know no longer supported) and recently ran into trouble connecting on MAC based "catalina" system. It seems there is something new in the security functions of Apple's newer os that prevents linking. Has that been your experience ? (i do not use protools live because of Ilok and wifi issues. Thank you !

[@Johnbanthony]

Did you check your microphone security preferences? System Preferences > Security&Privacy > Privacy > Microphone Make sure Trackslive is checked. If this doesn’t fix it, there may be a compatibility problem with tracks live and catalina. If you need to look into another way to record, Reaper is technically free and Logic is not super expensive. Neither require an ilok and should not have problems with catalina, especially Logic.

[@robertsweigert3223]

@@Johnbanthony Thanks, i do have logic so i will give that a try. i just LOVE tracks live because it is simple to use and reliable (till now)

[@Johnbanthony]

@@robertsweigert3223 Trackslive is extremely stable and we have experience with it using to capture live events. It's really sad to see Waves stopped supporting it. Logic is very reliable and we trust it as a replacement.

[@leirumanuel]

Hi. One question. Using Daw mode, can you use the mixer fxs like an SSL?

[@Johnbanthony]

You can do this no problem. Once the tracks are routed to the board, setup a usb output for one of your mixes. If you’re only this as a studio mixer in this situation, the MainLR is fine. Have that coming back into your DAW on a recording track. While the audio is on the board, you can mix it however you want and it will record. Make sure your effects return is routed to the output you’re recording on.

[@daviddaw4018]

This is very helpful, but I have been trying to set-up ProTools routing where I feed the console channels 1-32 into PT as you have, but instead of routing PT output in stereo to just the first 2 console inputs, I want to monitor each individual PT track playback on the 32 USB inputs of different console layers, to set-up control room and musician monitor-mixes for tracking and overdubbing. (ie. console layer 1 would be the 32 mixer inputs feeding PT, but console layers 2, 3, 4 etc, would be the 32 individual ProTools channel playback). Any advice you might offer would be GREATLY appreciated! (the ProTools output routing is what has me stumped!

[@Johnbanthony]

You’ll need to set half your console channels to output to protools and half with the input from protools. I’ve never worked with the presonus boards so I wouldn’t be the best resource. The protools routing should be the same as what I showed in the video, where I had all the outputs set to an individual channel.

[@daviddaw4018]

@@Johnbanthony Thanks so much for your reply. I had actually been trying that since the Presonus 64S has 64 ch i/o USB capability, however, the 32 ch i/o limitation of Protools seems to have me beat, and no response from PT tech support in about a month (surprise, surprise - LOL!) Looks like I may have to switch to StudioOne or Logic to get around the ridiculous 32 ch tracking limitation of PT.

[@KevinDerryberry247]

Great video Thank you ! Question can you set up soft buttons to start, stop, record, rew, fwd etc?

[@Johnbanthony]

Yes, when you’re assigning the soft keys look under MMC for the Function.

[@KevinDerryberry247]

@@Johnbanthony Wow you are fantastic. is there anyway to make a video showing this? I know it's a lot to ask.

[@Johnbanthony]

@@KevinDerryberry247 Glad to be of help. We will keep it in mind for future video ideas.

[@davidmozika]

Hi im mixing outboard on cubase, is there a way how to record my outborad multichanel mix back to the sq ? I tryed to conect it analog way back and its start feedbaking also in mute.

[@Johnbanthony]

How do you have your SQ’s ins and outs setup? Digital and analog.

[@arvidwaelkens]

Hey, does the routing work the same with cubase? Where thinking about working with the SQ6 in our studio but don't know how to route everything to track 32 channels simultaneously in Cubase 11. Thank you to help us out.

[@Johnbanthony]

Yes, the routing on the SQ will be the same for Cubase. Anything I covered in this video on the console will need to be setup the same regardless of DAW. If you’re using a dante or waves card, use the card slot for patching instead of usb.

[@sounddramaturgy6906]

hello, thank you for video🤗can I do the same thing just on madi port?

[@Johnbanthony]

As long as you have a a way of getting Madi into your computer, like with an interface that supports Madi. The board configuration would be the same, minus selecting the card slot channels on the I/O screen instead of USB.

[@ultrastar23]

Please do another with the less used DAW, FL Studio

[@Johnbanthony]

Noted!

[@revelationevents2323]

Hey im seriously thinking about getting the sq7. It’s my first full console. Question is how reliable is it? I’ve seen a few posts reporting different problems. How reliable is it?

[@Johnbanthony]

All of The Allen and Heath consoles are very reliable.

[@thehillybillycat1]

Hi There, I've just connected my QU-16 to Studio One 4, is it possible to use the QU's on-board effects when recording like EQ, compression etc? I don't hear it in my recording.

[@Johnbanthony]

On the routing screen, you’ll see the drop down menu for Global Direct Out Source. Select Post Comp, or Post Delay.

[@thehillybillycat1]

@@Johnbanthony Thank you so much, will check that out.

[@58MrMike]

I tried this last weekend and it worked just as you said it would. Only problem is we had much lower gain on the Protools end than the desk itself. Is there a fix for this?

[@Johnbanthony]

Are you setting the Input Direct Outs to capture from the Input/preamp? This will send the signal before it hits compression and channel faders. You can always place the protools trim plugin as your first plugin or use another plugin with input trim.

[@davidtinoco9743]

New to recording been doing front and monitor show for years I own a Sq6 worked with a team doing video I gave him 2 feeds he had a small mixer and used our feeds from the live mix how do or what do I need to to give him a better mix some of the channels at times need to have more volume Thx Dave any help would do I will be doing more show with this group and want to do better

[@Johnbanthony]

You have 2 options here. The first, and simpler option, would be to run a compressor on your aux or matrix that’s handling the mix for video. If you still need more volume, you can use the usb or card connection to run some plugins on a computer for more volume. Ideally you can a matrix out an aux over usb (or a dante or waves card) to a computer and add plugins like waves L2 to help get some volume. You’d then have to get the signal out of the computer to your video switcher though. Alternatively for this method you could run an insert for the matrix out to your computer to add some plugins. If you do it this way, you can still run out the SQ into the other mixer. Keep in mind woth running out to the computer in either case, you’ll be adding a delay that you’ll need to sync up with the video. Try these out and see if just running the compressor on the SQ helps first.

[@KevinDerryberry247]

Does the DX 168 give me 16 additional input channels and 8 additional output channels for a sq7. Giving me the ability to record 48 channels at once and have 24 out put xlrs at once?

[@Johnbanthony]

Yes, all 3 SQs are expandable to 48x20 when adding stageboxes or tie lining between two SQs. The DX boxes are perfect for the SQ, but you can even pair a GX4816 to an SQ. For recording though, the USB driver caps out at 32x32, so you’ll need to add a dante card or waves if you want to record more than 32 channels.

[@edwynnemusic]

Any idea how long the USB cable can be? My SQ7 will be in another room...I'm thinking I need to run the SLink ethernet...

[@Johnbanthony]

I believe usb can go about 15/16 feet without needing an extender. I’ve never tried this with recording audio though. I would recommend recording on to a thumb drive or bringing a laptop next to the SQ over running a long usb cable. The connection may go through, but you’d want to test recording to see if there’s any data loss.

[@beezygang3197]

How would i record the Fx with the multitracks on a usb?. I could only record the channels without the Fx, while multitracking. I can only record the Fx if i record the main channel, instead of multitracking. (On a sq5)

[@Johnbanthony]

Go to Outputs > Rack FX then route the appropriate FX Returns out to USB slots that you’re not using for the main Input channels on the Direct IP outputs.

[@joshlustig3327]

Does anybody know if you can record to a DAW through the USB 2 on the back while simultaneously recording to a USB stick on the front panel for a backup? Or can that not be done at the same time?

[@Johnbanthony]

You can not do both simultaneously. You have to select SQ Drive (thin drive port) or the Usb B port within the console before recording. As well as patching to the USB outputs.

[@justpineygrove]

Would love to see this with StudioOne. I know it's similar, but.....

[@Johnbanthony]

Thank you for the suggestion. We'll keep it in mind for future videos.

[@johnlackner1193]

Me too.

[@mike105172]

Sorry if this was already addressed. Is it possible to run a live show while simultaneously recording on a computer? I know I could record the mix as a whole, but I would really like individual tracks to mix at home

[@Johnbanthony]

Hey Michael, yes you can record individual channels via the IP Direct Outputs and still mix a show on the mixer at the same time. I recommend doing this over usb to a computer. You can also do this over the Waves or Dante cards, but with the USB port, you’re not using a card slot just for recording.

[@mike105172]

@@Johnbanthony thanks. Yes I would be using usb into my computer while the show is going. Thanks for the info, great video

[@Angzarrr]

Can the computer recoding also capture fader levels so editing later has a good starting point?

[@Johnbanthony]

@@Angzarrr Go into Routing and then select direct output. Here you can select where in the channel flow that the direct output is taken from. Post fader is one of the options.

[@Angzarrr]

@@Johnbanthony so how do you record pre fader and also save fader levels throughout the recoding, so that you can play it back and match the post fader levels. This so if a mic is accidentally muted at the wrong time it’s not lost and can be fixed without having to remix the whole thing.

[@KLRCAT]

I recently did a multitrack recording using this method, but for some reason it seemed to record all the inputs post EQ & Dynamics?? Is there a setting somewhere on the desk that dictates what point in the signal chain the USB recording takes from?

[@Johnbanthony]

Under the routing tab you can change where in the signal chain the in/out direct outs record from.

[@KLRCAT]

@@Johnbanthony I eventually found it, but was confused why this wasn't in the USB recording section? doesn't make much sense.

[@Johnbanthony]

@@KLRCAT It’s like this for SQ, Avantis and Dlive. Allen and Heath regularly looks through the forums for user feedback. I would suggest posting the suggestion on their forums, Reddit or Facebook groups.

[@tastybsmusic]

can you do a video setting up for reaper a free d.a.w ?

[@Johnbanthony]

We'll definitely consider it next time we have an SQ on hand. Thank you for the suggestion.

[@dukyounkim9347]

Can you tell me if setup for A&H Qu series with multitrack in OBS on windows is similar? Or can you make a tutorial for it?

[@Johnbanthony]

Yes, it is a similar process. When you set up the Inputs on your Qu to run off USB, make sure you select the USB port and Not Qu Drive for the USB source. The OBS configuration is identical.

[@dukyounkim9347]

@@Johnbanthony thank you. I will watch the video once again try to figure it out completely. Just one more question. I am in a situation where I have a live audience as well as an obs broadcasting with a single QU mixer. Would this configuration provide a multitrack for both needs?

[@Johnbanthony]

@@dukyounkim9347 In that situation, I would recommend using one of the stereo auxes to create your stream mix and assign it to outputs Usb 1/2. Your Aux will be your stream mix and your main stereo out will be for your live audience.

[@Johnbanthony]

@@dukyounkim9347 In that situation, I would recommend using one of the stereo auxes to create your stream mix and assign it to outputs Usb 1/2. Your Aux will be your stream mix and your main stereo out will be for your live audience

[@MatheusGDES]

There is some possibility to capture audio via local network. I have a need to leave the PC away from the soundboard

[@Johnbanthony]

You can do this with a Dante or waves card. I would recommend using Dante, but either will work. Your PC will need to have Dante Virtual Soundcard installed.

[@danielmuchtar]

What if in ableton ?

[@Johnbanthony]

We haven't tried it yet but everything on the SQ side should be the same. In Ableton, under preferences/ audio, you'll find where you can choose the SQ as your interface as well as the buffer size. Then go through the Input & Output configuration to setup the I/O similar to how you see it in the video. Good luck. Let us know how you make out with your setup.

[@41laker41]

Hey! I don’t have the patch button?

[@Johnbanthony]

The patch button was added in firmware 1.5 from last year. If you don’t want to update your console, you can ignore pressing that button. It’s there as a fail safe so you don’t accidentally change patching.

[@f00kwhiteblackracismwarsh07]

thanks, how to do it on QU 32 Mixer

[@Johnbanthony]

The DAW setup is the same. On the Qu mixer, you need to change the outputs to USB. Go to: Setup > IO Patch > USB Audio page. Change the channels to USB. On your Channel Inputs, change the Source from Local to USB and make sure Global USB source is set to the USB B port.

[@donnyhalfenzah8087]

hello I'm from Indonesia. please help make a video how to send vocal effect to monitor or aux. thank you

[@asalkaraoke6979]

Setelah saya reset mixer sq6 Aux bisa ada effect internal

[@donnyhalfenzah8087]

@asal karaoke. Sebelumnya si sy ada. Malah setelah sy reset efect nya hilang.. Ada cara lain nggk om buat ngaktifinnya..?

[@Johnbanthony]

We made this video for you and anybody else looking to learn how to set up effects in your monitors only: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4HTZpqZa7yXock

[@erickrivas48]

Hi buddy, I have sq5 with nuendo 4 I foll the steps I can recorder but I can't here what I recorder ,

[@Johnbanthony]

If you’re mixing inside Nuendo and want to hear the summed tracks: >SQ’s I/O Patch Screen >Inputs >Mix Ext In > select USB and make sure usb source is USB B > Set the MainLR cross point to 1 and 2 up top If you’re wanted to mix on the SQ or doing a virtual sound check: >SQ’s I/O Patch Screen >Inputs >Input channels > select USB and make sure usb source is USB > Cross patch the usb channels with the SQ channels. In this instance you’ll need to set each channel to its own output in Nuendo.

[@erickrivas48]

@@Johnbanthony thank you much. I a. New with no experience in this mixer .

[@miltonportersr563]

How do set this up using logic 10?

[@Johnbanthony]

We cover multitrack recording in logic with this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKndoKt3idGKh8k We do however use this video as a reference for setting up your SQ. Once you reach 2:40 in this video, you can switch over to the Logic video.

[@trippypages7309]

Can it do OVERDUB?

[@Johnbanthony]

Yes it can. You’ll want to run all the tracks out over usb and record them back in over usb along with your overdub. This will keep the tracks in sync with the overdub created from adding the second loopback for those tracks. If you recorded just the overdub and still pushed the tracks back from your daw into the sq without recording them, there may be a hair of a delay by a few samples with your overdub. That’s why I recommend re-recording the other tracks being looped back in along with the overdub.

[@TheBoomBoomRoomStLouis]

I AM TRYING TO TAKE INDEPENDENT CHANELS FOR A LIVE MIX THOUGH PROTOOLS, HOW IN THE HECK TO I GET THE SOUND OUT, SO I CAN LISTEN AND ME MIXING WHILE TRACKING? I WANT TO HEAR WHAT IS COMMING THROUGH THE MASTER BUSS

[@Johnbanthony]

If you're on a Mac, try making an aggregate device with the mixer and built in output. Are you using a Windows machine or Mac?

[@TheBoomBoomRoomStLouis]

@@Johnbanthony I am ussing a mac, but seems in the hardware section or set up of protools they only let me pick one device. Like my appolow twin, or internal, or the SA6 USB or Sq6 dante.

[@Johnbanthony]

@@TheBoomBoomRoomStLouis you’ll need to set up an aggregate device. We’ll make a video to show everybody how to do this.

[@ThePaquito001]

Is anybody else having difficulty connecting their SQ to their MacBook Pro? I've tried 2 different SQ consoles but it hasn't shown up as an interface on my laptop. I've followed all these steps and still no success. Anybody have solutions to this? Note: I've tried various cables also.

[@Johnbanthony]

Sorry, we are unable to replicate this issue.

[@robertchamberlain6569]

When I patch a channel it cuts off the audio for the channel how do I avoid that

[@Johnbanthony]

Hey Robert, as long as the new input has audio passing into it, there should be no cut out and the audio will pass instantly.

[@robertchamberlain6569]

@@Johnbanthony should the local and USB patches be same?

[@Johnbanthony]

@@robertchamberlain6569 Go to Setup > Audio > Usb and make sure that usb mode is set to USB B and not SQ Drive. This should make the audio pull from the usb port on the back connected to your computer. SQ Drive is for plugging in a thumb drive in the port on top.

[@robertchamberlain6569]

@@Johnbanthony I'm using a thumb drive does that affect anything?

[@Johnbanthony]

It shouldn't affect anything.

[@adamsmiddy]

How 'bout FL Studio?

[@Johnbanthony]

Thank you for the suggestion. We will look into this as we do not currently have the app.

[@leadphotographer74]

can you record using adobe audition?

[@Johnbanthony]

You should be able to using the multi-track version of Adobe Audition.

[@leadphotographer74]

do you have a video or pdf that explains how to do it

[@Johnbanthony]

@@leadphotographer74 Sorry, we don't. However, most DAWs have very similar set-up features so if you follow everything in regards to the SQ side of things, you should be able to figure it out in Audition.

[@Johnbanthony]

@@leadphotographer74 The SQs use a general usb driver for Macs and a downloadable driver for Windows for usb, so you should have no problem using one with Audition.