Skip to main content

Digital Mixer

Allen & Heath SQ-7 Digital Mixer

The Allen & Heath SQ-7 is the largest of the SQ-series consoles, with 32 motorized faders and the same 48-channel mix engine as its smaller siblings. SLink lets it connect to a wide range of A&H stage boxes (DX168, GX series) over a single shielded Cat5e per link. A staple in regional theaters, churches, and small touring rigs.

Compare

Photos

Manufacturer product photography showing the hardware, controls, and physical form.

Photo: Allen & Heath1 / 2
Documented outputs
99 destination connections
Documented inputs
17Based on documented inputs
Rack space
Outside rackPlan a shelf, tray, or stage position
Power draw
120W150W documented maximum
Catalog estimate
~$6,499Use retailer rows for current price and stock

01 · What it does—and what that changes in your rig.

Product overview

Start with the payoff, then work through how it functions, where it fits, and the details that change a real build.

The payoff

Digital Mixer decisions, organized around the whole rig.

The SQ-7 is Allen & Heath's flagship in the SQ line — the same 48-channel XCVI core engine that runs the smaller SQ-5 and SQ-6, but stretched across 32 motorized faders so you're touching more of your mix without banking. It's a surface-plus-engine-in-one unit, not a rack brain, which means it lives at front-of-house or monitor world as the console itself. Sixteen local mic inputs and eight local analog outputs are built in, so a stripped-down gig can go up with nothing but the desk. The SLink ports are where it opens up — two independent 64-channel EtherCON connections that feed into A&H's ecosystem of DX and GX stage boxes.

Documented outputs
99 destination connections
Documented inputs
17Based on documented inputs
Rack space
Outside rackPlan a shelf, tray, or stage position
Allen & Heath product photo
Photo: Allen & HeathOutside rack · 120W
Function

How it works in the path

At 18 kg and 530 mm deep, the SQ-7 is a real piece of furniture. It doesn't rack-mount in a traditional sense — rackUnits is 0 — so plan for a console stand, a rolling cart, or a dedicated FOH shelf. Power draw sits at 120 W nominal with a 150 W max, which is modest for a desk this capable and won't stress a standard 15 A circuit. The two SLink ports are the practical backbone: run one to your stage box for inputs, use the second to feed a monitor engineer's personal mix station or a digital split to another console, all over a single shielded Cat5e cable per link. That keeps your analog snake footprint at zero on longer cable runs.

Best fit

Where it earns its place in the system

The SQ-7 is the right call for a monitor engineer who needs fader-per-mix density without going to a dedicated IEM rack controller, or for a production that wants one desk to handle FOH and IEM sends in a compact touring package. If you're running more than two SLink devices simultaneously or need Dante/MADI natively without a card, look at A&H's dLive or Avantis families. Smaller rooms or engineers who genuinely won't use more than 24 faders at once should consider the SQ-6 and save the weight and cost. But if 32 faders and the SQ workflow are your target, this is the ceiling of that platform.

In the rack

Details worth deciding before load-in.

  • Run SLink A to your primary stage box and SLink B to a second DX168 or a split feed for a dedicated monitor console — you get a full digital split without a passive splitter or analog snake anywhere in the chain.
  • The 16 local inputs on the back panel are useful for a self-contained monitor rig: plug IEM transmitters directly into local outputs 1–8 and keep your stage box bandwidth entirely for inputs.
  • Use the Ethernet control port with A&H's MixPad or SQ4You apps for a dedicated tablet monitor for artists — it costs nothing extra and removes the 'can I turn up my guitar' conversation from your show.
  • Budget for a road case with a recessed lid: at 530 mm deep, standard console lids from off-brand cases often don't clear the meter bridge — verify internal dimensions before you order.

02 · Know the whole path before you buy.

Signal path

Learn the route as a block diagram: source, product function, transport, and destination. Select any block to see what enters, what changes, and what leaves.

Interactive block diagramAuto-looping · hover, focus, or tap to hold a stage
Port-type signalProduct functionSystem boundary
Follow one signal from source to destination

Each block answers the same three questions: what arrives, what changes here, and what leaves.

01 · Source · selected
01 · Source

17 documented inputs

XLR female + IEC C14

Arrives as
17 documented inputs
Connector
XLR female + IEC C14
Signal
analog audio

03 · What this product asks of the rest of the system.

Compatibility

Treat connector names as the start of the check—not the answer. These are the boundaries that determine a complete working path.

Best fit · Digital Mixer

Use it as digital mixer tracked outside rack rails; follow the manufacturer’s mounting and form-factor guidance.

Plan the companion path

Complete the path with upstream and downstream gear that matches connector, direction, signal type, protocol, and wiring standard.

Protocol boundary

This product declares SLINK; matching plugs alone do not make other protocols compatible.

04 · Every connector, grouped by job.

I/O ports

Switch the product view and the documented port inventory updates with it—hardware and data stay side by side.

Every connector, grouped by job.

Switch panels to keep the hardware view and the documented port list in sync.

Front panel
front connector map for Allen & Heath SQ-7 Digital MixerEXTERNAL UNIT · FRONTNo documented front ports
Rear panel
rear connector map for Allen & Heath SQ-7 Digital MixerEXTERNAL UNIT · REARetherCONbidirectionaletherCONbidirectionalXLR femaleinputXLR femaleinputXLR femaleinputXLR femaleinputXLR femaleinputXLR femaleinputXLR femaleinputXLR femaleinputXLR femaleinputXLR femaleinputXLR femaleinputXLR femaleinputXLR femaleinputXLR femaleinputXLR femaleinputXLR femaleinputXLR maleoutputXLR maleoutputXLR maleoutputXLR maleoutputXLR maleoutputXLR maleoutputXLR maleoutputXLR maleoutputaes3 xlroutputusb bbidirectionalRJ45bidirectionalIEC C14input
All documented ports for Allen & Heath SQ-7 Digital Mixer
PortPanelConnectorDirectionSignalChannels
SLink ArearetherCON bidirectionaldigital audio64
SLink BrearetherCON bidirectionaldigital audio64
Local Mic In 1rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
Local Mic In 2rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
Local Mic In 3rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
Local Mic In 4rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
Local Mic In 5rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
Local Mic In 6rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
Local Mic In 7rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
Local Mic In 8rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
Local Mic In 9rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
Local Mic In 10rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
Local Mic In 11rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
Local Mic In 12rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
Local Mic In 13rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
Local Mic In 14rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
Local Mic In 15rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
Local Mic In 16rearXLR female inputanalog audio—
Local Out 1rearXLR male outputanalog audio—
Local Out 2rearXLR male outputanalog audio—
Local Out 3rearXLR male outputanalog audio—
Local Out 4rearXLR male outputanalog audio—
Local Out 5rearXLR male outputanalog audio—
Local Out 6rearXLR male outputanalog audio—
Local Out 7rearXLR male outputanalog audio—
Local Out 8rearXLR male outputanalog audio—
AES3 Outrearaes3 xlr outputdigital audio—
USB (recording)rearusb b bidirectionaldata—
Ethernet (control)rearRJ45 bidirectionaldata—
Power (IEC)rearIEC C14 inputpower—

Showing 30 of 30 documented physical ports. Scroll to review the remaining rows.

05 · Compare the decision, not just the price.

Alternatives

The rows are organized around fit, power, I/O, and system role so a cheaper unit cannot hide a more expensive workflow.

Compare
Allen & Heath product photo
Allen & Heath CQ-20B — connector panel with XLR inputs, outputs and network
Allen & Heath SQ-Rack — front and rear panels together
Allen & Heath product photo
Fit📐 Outside rack📐 3U📐 4U📐 Outside rack
Power⚡ 120W⚡ 40W⚡ 40W⚡ 80W
Weight⚖️ 39.7 lb⚖️ 5.7 lb⚖️ 12.8 lb⚖️ 21.2 lb
I/O🔌 30🔌 36🔌 44🔌 7
Estimate💵 ~$6,499💵 ~$1,000💵 ~$2,999💵 ~$3,999
Deep diveCurrent selectionFull comparison →Full comparison →Full comparison →

06 · Resolve the questions that can change the purchase or build plan.

Planning questions

Short, source-backed answers surface rack fit, power, cabling, and connection details before they become surprises.

Where does the Allen & Heath SQ-7 Digital Mixer live in a complete rig?

The catalog assigns it no rack units. Builder tracks it as non-rack gear; follow the manufacturer’s mounting, case, and form-factor guidance.

How much power does the Allen & Heath SQ-7 Digital Mixer draw?

Typical draw is 120W and documented maximum draw is 150W.

What connections does the Allen & Heath SQ-7 Digital Mixer have?

30 documented physical ports, including SLink A, SLink B, Local Mic In 1, Local Mic In 2, Local Mic In 3, Local Mic In 4.

07 · See this gear inside a complete system plan.

Builder preview

Builder keeps non-rack gear in the same bill of materials, budget, dependency, and connection plan as the rack-mounted system around it.Open in Builder
SQ-7 Digital Mixer tracked in a complete system planA simplified plan shows the gear tracked outside rack rails, with its documented connection path continuing to a planned destination.Tracked outside rack railsAllen & HeathSQ-7CONNECTED GEARnext signal destinationExternal system gear · no rack units assigned

08 · Related gear, in the order you may need it.

Behringer X32 Rack — 3U front panel with color display, channel level wheel and monitor section

Digital Mixer

Behringer X32 Rack Digital Mixer

3U · 53 ports · ~$989
Behringer product photo

Digital Mixer

Behringer X32 Digital Mixer

Outside rack · 57 ports · ~$2,799
Midas M32R Live — front render of the compact 16-fader console

Digital Mixer

Midas M32R Live Digital Console

5U · 30 ports · ~$2,999
Midas M32 Live — front render of the 32-fader console with color display

Digital Mixer

Midas M32 Live Digital Console

Outside rack · 58 ports · ~$4,499
Behringer Wing Rack — front panel with 10-inch touchscreen, channel strip display and assignable controls

Digital Mixer

Behringer Wing Rack Digital Console

4U · 52 ports · ~$1,799
Midas product photo

Digital Mixer

Midas MR18 Digital Mixer

3U · 33 ports · ~$799

Planning guides for digital mixer systems.

Related articles

Fundamentals · 6 min

From Stage to Ear: How Audio Flows Through an IEM Rack

A walking tour of the signal path from microphone to in-ear monitor, with what every box in the rack actually does to the audio along the way.

Fundamentals · 8 min

Ambient Mics for In-Ear Monitors: Killing the “Locked in a Box” Feeling

Why sealed IEMs make you feel disconnected from the room — and exactly how to put the audience back into your mix with one or two well-placed mics.

Workflow · 10 min

Setting Up Stereo IEM Mixes on an X32 / M32

Step-by-step: linking aux buses into stereo pairs, pre-fader vs post-fader, routing buses to Ultranet vs physical XLRs vs AES50, and adding a bus-level limiter.

Networking · 9 min

Dante vs MADI vs AES50: Which Audio Network Should You Use?

A practical comparison of the three audio-over-network protocols you’ll encounter in a rack rig, with guidance on when each one is the right pick.