Allen & Heath Qu-3D 96k 32 Channel Digital Mixer 16-In/8-Out, 6FX, 16x16 Dante

Sixteen channels in and sixteen out over Dante, on top of 16 local inputs and 8 local outputs, gives the Qu-3D a rig-ready network connection without any expansion cards. Allen & Heath's 32-channel digital mixer runs at 96kHz, with 38 input channels in total and nine faders on the surface. It suits live rooms, houses of worship and project studios that want to record a full band to a computer over a single Ethernet cable.

Processing is where the Qu series earns its reputation. Every channel gets preamp gain, high-pass filter, gate, parametric EQ and compressor, so no outboard gear is needed to get a clean mix. Six stereo FX engines cover reverb, delay and modulation, and the 96kHz sample rate keeps the converters fast and detailed. Dante transport carries the 16x16 channel count across standard network switches, making virtual soundchecks, multitrack recording and stage box expansion straightforward to set up.

Allen & Heath has built its name on consoles that engineers can pick up and operate without reading a manual first, and the Qu-3D continues that approach. The layout is hands-on, with dedicated controls for the most common tasks, so adjustments mid-gig do not mean scrolling through menus. Compared with the standard Qu-3, the Dante card is already built in, which saves the cost and hassle of adding networking later.

Features

• 38 input channels running at 96kHz sample rate
• Nine faders on the control surface for hands-on mixing
• 16 local inputs and 8 local outputs on board
• Built-in 16x16 Dante network audio for recording and expansion
• Six stereo FX engines covering reverb, delay and modulation
• Full channel processing including gate, parametric EQ and compressor
• Single Ethernet cable multitrack recording to a computer via Dante
• Dante pre-installed, with no separate option card required