How to Stream with OBS and Allen & Heath SQ Digital Mixers

In this video we'll show you how to stream using an Allen & Heath SQ mixer and Twitch with OBS.
Learn more about the SQ series of mixer/interfaces here:
www.allen-heath.com/key-serie...
Learn more about OBS here: obsproject.com/
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[@TimeofourlivesAu]

Thank you for this concise and very well presented tutorial. Very helpful

[@Johnbanthony]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nathanstearns4471]

hey question!! i stream through obs for my church broadcast. How do i get my effects like reverb to transfer over to my live broadcast

[@Johnbanthony]

Route your FX Returns to the aux or matrix you’re using as a stream feed and you should be good to go.

[@fanchang7700]

Actually, this is the same phenomenon as recording using USB drive, the audio level recorded is also around 20 db lower than the analog level.

[@alfaomega8185]

Hi, im using SQ7 can you explain difference of Gain and trim on this console.. So far I knew trim used when we conected beetween stage monitor and foh? Thank you

[@Johnbanthony]

Gain is applying more voltage to a mic to increase the volume, while digital trim just electronically increases the volume. If you’re going plugging a line level piece of equipment into your sq, you’ll want to control the volume with just trim. With a mic, start with the gain, until the signal is healthy, and then apply trim if you still need to get it louder.

[@hk4lyfe59]

Hi, we just ordered this and we will be having someone doing an in-house mix and another person mixing the livestream using the app on an iPad. Is it possible to give all the mute control to the main mixer both for live and in house so that way the person running the livestream mix only has to worry about mixing and not turning channels on and off as needed?

[@Johnbanthony]

If you’re doing a stream mix off an aux or matrix, the mutes are global, so both mixers will effect the other’s mix if they hit mute. If you’re doing the stream mix on a separate desk or in a daw using the Direct Outs, you have the ability to have the mute follow the console or not. Go to Routing > Direct Out > Global Direct Out Settings > Follow Mute. Here you can decide if the Direct Outs will mute with your SQ or not.

[@hk4lyfe59]

@@Johnbanthony great, thank you!

[@louzelalala]

How did you connect the audio from the mixer to the computer? Did you just use audio jack?

[@Johnbanthony]

We used a usb cable for this video. You can also use a dante or waves card. The setup on the board is nearly identical. You would use the IO Port tab instead of the USB tab on the Routing page to patch.

[@lankududniteshift]

Can you set it up for Zoom Meeting live streaming, instead of Twitch?

[@Johnbanthony]

Yes, you can set this up for zoom as well. Same process for either program. Make sure to select your mix and speakers in zoom as SQ audio, is using the usb connection, and Dante virtual soundcard if using a Dante card.

[@fanchang7700]

Hi, I'm using the SQ5 analogue aux output and then use an audio interface to feed it to OBS for streaming Sunday service and it works quite nicely. I tried to use USB-B to stream to OBS hoping to avoid the additional audio interface and to have cleaner digital signal. I did it successfully following your instructions. However, I've got the same problem as Christopher is that the USB sound level is much lower than the analog signal by around 20 dB. This level is too low for streaming to KZbin or other social media. Is there any way to increase the USB output signal?

[@Johnbanthony]

Hey Fan, you have a couple options to make your stream mix louder. On the SQ, you can apply a compressor to the Aux you’re using to stream. The compressor has 18db of makeup gain, and it will help make your mix more glued, like a studio recording. Alternatively, in OBS you can add a compressor or limiter plugin. Click on the gear for your SQ in OBS, then select filters. Click the + button and you’ll see and option to add a compressor. If you have 3rd party plugins, like Waves, you can select the VST2 option and choose your favorite waves compressor or limiter. A compressor will allow you to boost the signal and tame any peaks from clipping the overall mix.

[@fanchang7700]

@@Johnbanthony Thanks a lot and this is very helpful. But just don't know why A&H set the SQ5 USB output level so low and need additional tweaks to make an audible output level. And there is no way to change this output level. Once again thanks for your help and I will try this. I guess it will be better to apply the compressor in SQ as it is a more professional device than OBS.

[@fanchang7700]

One more item would like to seek your advice. For streaming using SQ USB output, I need to select the USB output to USB-B. In this setting, the USB drive multi track recording feature is disabled. Does this mean that if I need to record multi track, I need to use a DAW and record thru' USB-B output?

[@Johnbanthony]

@@fanchang7700 Part of what causes this is that in a normal situation, a mixer would be sending the signal into a PA and a lot of your volume is coming from that. If you listen to the board signal on it’s own it may not be that loud. This is for any mixer, not just Allen and Heath. If you’re recording, you can change the level of the direct outputs, and add up to 10db. In the Routing menu, click on an input channel and select direct out. You’ll be able to adjust the level there. For Streaming, a compressor will definitely help but you may need to change the gain staging of your stream mix and make the level of each channel louder in that mix. Adding the compressor might sound like a crutch, or work around, but on a studio recording, a compressor and limiter would be added to make a mix louderand get it to an appropriate volume. For your second question, you’re right. If the SQ drive is set to USB B it’s going to turn off the usb port on the top of the board. You can only output to one usb option at a time. It’s actually more stable to record over usb-B into a DAW on your computer than with a thumb drive plugged into the board. Allen and Heath has a forum on their site where users can report their results with a given thumb drive, but the USB B port is going to be more reliable. For recording, I’ve had great results in Protools, Logic or trackslive. I would say tracks live is the most stable of the 3, and recommend that if you’re on an older operating system as Waves no longer supports trackslive.

[@fanchang7700]

@@Johnbanthony Thanks a lot and I'm using Cubase.

[@itownmusicians]

When I route a mix to usb 1&2, it ruins my multitrack recording because the mix I send on usb 1&2 also gets recorded as well. Is there a way around it? Anything would help!🙏

[@Johnbanthony]

If you are attempting to only multitrack and not record your mix, I would go into the I/O screen and make sure your Main Mix and Auxes are not outputting over usb

[@nanocaytano]

Gracias por el video! Tengo un problema: Microsoft Windows me reconoce a la SQ como entrada (mono) y en OBS lo puedo agregar pero no entra ninguna señal. He probado de todo y no he podido solucionarlo. En primer lugar es raro que me la reconozca mono (cuando la agrego al OBS directamente me lo agrega como una fuente mono) y en segundo lugar es raro que a pesar de que en el panel de control de MicrosoftWindows me muestra que entra señal desde la consola, en OBS no hay nada. Gracias!

[@Johnbanthony]

¿Ha descargado el controlador más reciente del sitio web de Allen & Heath? También puede enviar un correo electrónico a [e-mail] si eso no funciona www.allen-heath.com/key-series/sq/sq-software/ Our Spanish is rusty but this is what we're saying in case our translation is off: Do you have the latest driver from the Allen&Heath website? I would also try reinstalling the driver too, just in case. You can also reach out to [e-mail] for help.

[@joshg2714]

Does this allow for a different mix to go to the livestream vs what is in the front of house?

[@Johnbanthony]

Yes, using a matrix or aux will allow for an independent mix from your FOH.

[@JohnnyPericon]

We have SQ5 I did try this but I cannot make this work. I tried to install the new usb driver but things are complicated.. hopefully you can point me to the right direction

[@Johnbanthony]

Where/How are you hitting a road block?

[@stonekillerhaokip9374]

I have SQ6 . How do I send my LR mixing to obs

[@Johnbanthony]

Assign the outputs for the LR to USB 1 and 2.

[@joeldevera2718]

Hi. My OBS and Mac is detecting the SQ7 console, I have added the SQ Audio Input Capture but I am nit receiving the signal of SQ to OBS? Can you help? Thanks!

[@Johnbanthony]

If this this is your first time pairing your SQ over usb to your mac, you may need to go into your security preferences in the computer’s system preferences and allow the SQ as a “microphone” for OBS.

[@lekods04]

I would love to add my Main LR and my SUB to have one MATRIX on sq6. I have done that. But which port would I have a cable to take out the Matrix to a speaker or audio interface.. I have checked the back no Matrix output port

[@Johnbanthony]

If you go to the Routing screen you can assign a Matrix to a physical output. Once in the Routing Screen it’s Outputs > Mix Out

[@lekods04]

@@Johnbanthony thank you I will just route it to any AUx I am not using or even Group....right?

[@raphaeldaniel5421]

Can you show how to do it with a Allen and heath qu32

[@Johnbanthony]

We don't have a QU32 on hand but will try to get one,

[@AYOGAgriVenture]

Follower.. good luck

[@Johnbanthony]

Thank you!

[@chrisper1987]

Hello I am trying to stream/ send audio of our worship services with our SQ-6 to OBS. I followed all the steps but seem to be getting a really low volume to the point where OBS seems like it can't even detect the audio. Is there a solution for increasing the audio output from SQ-6 to computer/OBS?

[@Johnbanthony]

Hey Christopher, are you connecting over usb or Dante? Did you setup an aux to act as your stream output? If so, double check the channels are patched to the aux and that the aux is set to usb 1 and 2.

[@chrisper1987]

@@Johnbanthony I am connected over USB-B. And I did patch the USB output to an aux. The computer picks up the audio and OBS does recognize the SQ mixer but there is no audio going to OBS which is weird.

[@Johnbanthony]

@@chrisper1987 Hmmm, it’s hard to figure this out without taking a look at your show file. You mentioned getting a low level in the first comment. Have you tried placing a compressor on the aux or on the SQ inside OBS? In OBS, click on the gear for the SQ, then click Filters. Click the plus sign and add either the OBS compressor or a VST 2 compressor if you have any plugins, like Waves installed on the computer. If OBS is recognizing the SQ, it’s likely how something is routed. You may also need to adjust the mix for that aux to have higher levels than your FOH mix. Adding a compressor or limiter should help get the level up in OBS. If you do use a limiter, use a vst2 limiter, like Waves L2. The limiter within OBS doesn’t have makeup gain and is meant to keep your audio from clipping. If you’re still having trouble, the best option is to reach out to Allen and Heath Support. If you’re in the US, you can email [e-mail] or call [phone] and follow the prompts for technical support for A&H.

[@famastarmusic9956]

Hi, my main issue is when I open any of my projects the Scenes on SQ7 don't come up automatically . Can u do a video about that, please?

[@Johnbanthony]

Hey FamaStar, I can make a video on this. You have your scenes saved to the console or usb drive?

[@famastarmusic9956]

@@Johnbanthony thanks mate, i have saved on console, and i work with logic, my issue is if a open a project on logic witch i saved the volumes and pan on console as a scene doesn't recall on console. I beleave there's many people witch would like to learn about that.

[@Johnbanthony]

@@famastarmusic9956 We tested this out myself and spoke with Allen and Heath Support. This is a downfall of the HUI protocol and not something that has a proper solution. I’d recommend saving a scene on your console when you close your logic session. This is going to be the closest thing to a fix. This is a problem with HUI, not the console. If you switch to another daw controller, you’ll have the same issue

[@famastarmusic9956]

@@Johnbanthony thanks mate really appreciated.

[@DanielPishock]

Is this possible on the Allen and Heath QU16?

[@Johnbanthony]

Yes, the computer setup is the same. To setup up the console, you’ll want to assign one of the mixes to USB outputs 1+2. This can be the main mix if you’re only streaming, or one of the auxes.

[@HILTONPAUL]

This is applicable for windows 10 And hardware is download ?

[@Johnbanthony]

Yes, everything explained here is applicable to Windows as well. You may need to download the SQ Driver for Windows is the only difference www.allen-heath.com/sq-series/sq-5/#software

[@lekods04]

Good video Please I am using SQ6. I have AIR M AUDIO 192 14 as my audio interface Aux 1: All instruments ( very low vocals) Aux 2: All vocals( very low instruments) Then I send these Aux 1 an Aux 2 to my interface and then to my OBS How good do you think this is

[@Johnbanthony]

I would suggest running them together on the same aux and using a compressor to help glue them together, like in a a studio. If you want to run two axes, try just instruments and just vocals for each aux. You can compress the instruments together with an aux compressor. This will help the vocals cut as it’s easier to make them sit above the instruments. The downside to this method is that you need to watch the balance between the vocals and instruments. If you make the vocals too loud it starts to sound like a karaoke track rather than gluing everything together into one cohesive mix.

[@lekods04]

@@Johnbanthony Thanks alot. So you suggest it's better to just have all vocals and instruments into one Aux. Then I can equalise and compress the Aux to my taste.... then the aux just feed into my audio interface. Which is better to have great musical concert streaming into OBS 1. Use matrix 2. Use USB 3. Use an AUX

[@Johnbanthony]

@@lekods04 You can use an aux or a matrix for this and route either to the usb out. A Matrix is a little flexible as far as routing, vs an aux. To keep it simple though, I would suggest routing the instruments and vocals all to one aux that’s assigned to the first 2 channels of USB Outs. The added benefit in a live scenario is that the Aux mixes are easier to call up using the buttons on the right.

[@HolyTrinityTulseHill]

really good BUT..... you forgot to say that if you are on windows you need to install the asio driver on the computer first, and then select "SQ 1&2". I had thought Asio wasn't necessary unless I was doing 32 channel recording, but apparently it is.

[@Johnbanthony]

Thank you for the heads up regarding Windows, much appreciated!

[@hmcchurch]

How about Yamaha tf5

[@Johnbanthony]

Thanks for the suggestion, we'll keep it in mind!

[@HILTONPAUL]

This is Applicable For V Mix ?

[@Johnbanthony]

Yes, the setup we did on the console is applicable for Vmix as well.

[@Danijel.Juraga]

But sq only Works on 96 not on the 48?? Please explain??

[@Johnbanthony]

The SQ always runs internally at 96K, but the usb driver can downsample to 48K and the Dante card can downsample to 48K. The downsampling happens at the usb port or at the card, respectively. Everything inside stays 96K. The Usb settings with the SQ allow you to drop down to 48K output and within dante controller, you can change the sample rate to 48K.

[@Tarheelheat]

Is this the same process on the QU32?

[@Johnbanthony]

The Second half covering the OBS setup is the same. The patching steps on the Bus are a little different. Go to I/O Patch > USB Audio. Here patch the first 2 USB outs to your LR Post Fader or to one of the stereo Auxes if you’re still running a FOH signal to a PA.

[@Tarheelheat]

​@@Johnbanthony thank you!!!! I'm subscribed!

[@Tarheelheat]

​@@Johnbanthony one last question. So if we're using the board for Live and Streaming, we can set separate effects for each channel for the USB mix and then send a left & right mix usb to the Mac/OBS?

[@Johnbanthony]

@@Tarheelheat Thanks so much!

[@Johnbanthony]

@@Tarheelheat Yes, could run separate effect for FOH and Stream. The stream mix can be as different as you want from FOH. Drop the FX Return fader all the way down for any effects you don’t want in that particular mix. The Mute button is global so that will effect both. The Stream being on an aux will allow it to run independent of the FOH. Pretty much everything except the mute button can be different. You’ll just need to dedicate certain effects slots to each mix.

[@serioushobbies9682]

Why not send audio from Matrix??

[@Johnbanthony]

You can do this with a matrix as well. I was trying to keep it simple as you can access an Aux quickly with a button on the side of the consoles.

[@eduardnikysamahati1346]

How to stream with vmix?

[@Johnbanthony]

The setup of the mixer will be the same whether you’re using OBS or vmix. You can use an aux or matrix depending on your workflow within the mixer,

[@asilva_media]

lil overkill for just streaming lol but nice

[@Johnbanthony]

Haha, probably right but good to know nonetheless. Thanks for watching!

[@kamaumburu4438]

Someone to gift me AR2412 stagebox😊

[@Johnbanthony]

Haha, that would be an awesome gift!