The SQ7+ Revolution: A Game-Changer for Live Mixing
Allen & Heath has just unveiled a remarkable upgrade to their SQ series, the SQ7+, and as a long-time user of the SQ-7, I'm thrilled to share my insights on this exciting development. Having mixed countless live shows on the SQ-7, I've always appreciated its reliability and sonic prowess, but the SQ7+ takes things to a whole new level.
A Familiar Yet Enhanced Experience
The SQ7+ is a testament to Allen & Heath's commitment to user feedback. It retains the core strengths of the SQ series while addressing many of its limitations. The console's layout and functionality are largely unchanged, ensuring a familiar workflow for seasoned SQ users. However, the SQ7+ introduces subtle refinements that make a significant difference.
One of the standout features is the improved touchscreen, now a nine-inch capacitive display with a darker color scheme. This upgrade enhances visibility and usability, making it easier to navigate the console's extensive capabilities. The ergonomic improvements, such as the larger rotary controls and soft-switches, further contribute to a more intuitive and efficient mixing experience.
Powering Up with Enhanced Processing
Under the hood, the SQ7+ boasts a powerful 96kHz XCVI on-board processing core. This upgrade enables the console to handle newer generations of effects and channel processing, including advanced DEEP Processing and RackUltra FX. The result is a significant enhancement in sound quality and versatility.
The addition of multi-band dynamic EQs, compressors, harmonizers, and amp models is particularly noteworthy. These features were previously absent or available only as costly extras. Now, they are seamlessly integrated into the console, providing engineers with a comprehensive toolkit for achieving professional-grade mixes.
Streamlining the Mixing Process
One of the most impressive aspects of the SQ7+ is its user-friendliness. Allen & Heath claims that experienced SQ users can 'walk up' to the new console and mix a show without a steep learning curve. While I approached this claim with skepticism, having experienced the stress of learning new boards in public, I was pleasantly surprised.
The SQ7+ feels incredibly familiar, with each control having an almost exact equivalent from the original SQ. This design philosophy ensures that users can transition seamlessly, focusing on creativity rather than technical hurdles. The console's layout and routing architecture, which were once daunting, now feel intuitive and accessible.
A Package Deal?
While the SQ7+ offers a wealth of new features, there's a catch. Many of the premium effects, such as the RackUltra FX, are not included as standard. Instead, they are available as costly add-ons, which can be frustrating for engineers working across multiple venues. Allen & Heath's decision to label these extra FX buses on the hardware surface without providing them as standard is somewhat misleading.
In my opinion, Allen & Heath should consider bundling these effects as a standard package or offering a USB 'license key' solution, allowing engineers to access all the additional FX regardless of their location. This would streamline the user experience and ensure that the console's full potential is accessible to all users.
The Future of Live Mixing
The SQ7+ represents a significant evolution in live mixing technology. Its combination of familiar workflow, enhanced processing power, and user-friendly design sets a new benchmark for digital consoles. The improvements in sound quality, particularly with the premium reverbs and delays, are truly remarkable.
Moreover, the SQ7+'s ability to handle channel inserts and the inclusion of amp simulators and saturators offer a level of control and creativity that was previously lacking. These features cater to the evolving demands of live mixing, where engineers strive for both technical precision and artistic expression.
Final Thoughts
The SQ7+ is a game-changer for live mixing. It strikes a perfect balance between preserving the strengths of the SQ series and introducing innovative upgrades. While the pricing and packaging of additional effects could be improved, the console's overall performance and user experience are exceptional.
Allen & Heath has achieved a rare feat in the world of digital consoles, creating an upgrade that feels both familiar and revolutionary. The SQ7+ is a console that I, and many other live sound engineers, will eagerly embrace, ensuring that our best gigs are yet to come.
