Allen & Heath Qu-3 Mixer digital

Allen & Heath Qu-3 — Compact 96 kHz Digital Mixing for Desktop and Install

The Allen & Heath Qu-3 brings the full Qu platform into a compact desktop format without trimming the feature set that has made the series a fixture in live sound, broadcast, and installed AV. At its heart sits a 96 kHz XCVI FPGA core with system latency under 0.7 ms and support for DEEP Processing. The Qu-3 is the right choice for engineers, AV professionals, and content creators who need flagship-tier audio quality and routing flexibility in a footprint that sits comfortably on a desk or installs cleanly into a 19-inch rack with the optional kit.

What Sets the Qu-3 Apart in the Compact Digital Mixer Class

The 32-channel Automatic Mic Mixer (AMM) is embedded directly in the mixer with zero added latency, making this model unusually capable for conferences, panel discussions, and broadcast scenarios where many open microphones compete for gain. The Feedback Assistant detects feedback with 8 simultaneous detectors and applies up to 16 filters per instance, while the Gain Assistant listens, sets, and continuously monitors input levels to prevent clipping during a performance.

I/O Architecture — Local Connections and Network Expansion

Local connectivity covers the most common live and studio scenarios out of the box, while network ports open the door to much larger systems. The Qu-3 ships with 16 XLR/Jack combi mic/line inputs, a stereo line input on dual 6.3 mm TRS, eight XLR outputs, an AES3 stereo digital output, and a stereo headphone jack. Phantom power is available across all combi inputs for condenser microphones and active DI boxes.

• Number of Channels: 36 inputs to mix (32 mono/linkable + 2 stereo)
• Number of Preamps: 16 digitally controlled mic preamps
• Local Outputs: 8 XLR sockets + 1 AES3 stereo digital output
• Network Expansion: 128×128 Intelligent SLink port for Everything I/O stage boxes and direct console linking

Processing Power — XCVI Core, DEEP, and Built-In FX

Every input channel runs a complete processing chain: gate or expander, insert point, 4-band fully parametric EQ with switchable high-pass filter, compressor with parallel path compression, and channel delay up to 341 ms. Allen & Heath DEEP processing models can be inserted into channels without affecting latency. Six Multi-FX engines with dedicated stereo returns handle reverbs, delays, and modulation without consuming input channels.

• Microphone Channel EQ: 4 bands, fully parametric with switchable high-pass filter
• Internal Effects: 6 Multi-FX engines with dedicated stereo returns
• Mix Architecture: 12 mixes (6 mono/linkable Aux/Group + 6 stereo Aux/Group), 4 mono/linkable Matrix, Stereo Main LR
• Processing Latency: under 0.7 ms from local mic input to Main L/R

Recording, Control, and Workflow

Recording options cover laptop-based multitrack, standalone SD capture, and quick stereo archiving through USB-A. The 32×32 USB-C audio interface streams individual pre-recordings to a DAW, while the SD card slot captures 16 channels at 96 kHz or 32 channels at 48 kHz without a computer present — ideal for virtual soundcheck and redundant live capture. Control extends beyond the surface through free remote control apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

• USB-C Audio Interface: 32×32 channels for DAW recording and playback
• SD Card Recording: 16×16 at 96 kHz / 32×32 at 48 kHz
• Touchscreen: 7-inch capacitive, 1000-nit
• Faders: 9 motorised 100 mm faders across 6 customisable layers + 8 assignable SoftKeys
• Rackmountable: Yes — 19-inch rack kit available as an optional accessory

Who the Qu-3 Is Built For

The Qu-3 is the right choice for live sound engineers working small-to-mid-format venues, corporate AV operators running conferences and panel discussions, and broadcast or podcast producers who need a desk that doubles as a studio control surface. Recording engineers will appreciate DAW Control emulation via USB or TCP/IP, the clean pre-recordings off the XCVI preamps, and the ability to leave an SD card rolling in the background as a safety capture. Houses of worship, theatres, and touring acts benefit from the embedded 32-channel AMM, the Feedback Assistant's automatic notch filtering, and the SLink port that grows the system with DX168 stage boxes as channel counts climb.