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Wireless Mic

Shure AD4Q Axient Digital Quad Mic Receiver

The AD4Q packs four Axient Digital receiver channels into a single 1U rack space with full Dante, ShowLink, and Quadversity support, making it the ultimate high-density wireless mic solution. For large touring productions and broadcast events with many wireless channels, this dramatically reduces the rack space and antenna infrastructure needed. The price per channel is significant, but the reliability and feature set are unmatched in professional wireless.

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Photos

Manufacturer product photography — the drawn faceplate stays true to panel layout; these show the hardware itself.

Photo: Shure1 / 3
Documented outputs
1414 destination connections
Documented inputs
4Based on documented inputs
Rack space
1UBuilder checks available rail space
Power draw
35W42W documented maximum
Catalog estimate
~$9,995Use 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

Wireless Mic decisions, organized around the whole rig.

The AD4Q is Shure's quad-channel receiver in the Axient Digital line — four independent wireless mic channels in a single 2U chassis, each with its own analog XLR output and all four simultaneously available over Dante. In a large touring or broadcast rig where you might need twelve, sixteen, or twenty wireless channels, that density changes the math on rack real estate, antenna runs, and system complexity. This is the unit you spec when the input count is high, the frequency coordination is tight, and failure is not an acceptable outcome.

Documented outputs
1414 destination connections
Documented inputs
4Based on documented inputs
Rack space
1UBuilder checks available rail space
Shure AD4Q Axient Digital Quad Mic Receiver — rear panel with antenna BNC, four XLR outputs, Dante and IEC power
Photo: Shure1U · 35W
Function

How it works in the path

Thirty-five watts steady draw across four active channels is efficient at that density — plan for the 42W maximum when all four channels are working hard and factor it honestly into your power budget. The 340mm depth is substantial, so check your rack depth before committing, particularly in a shallow fly pack. Dante Primary and Secondary ports give you redundant network audio paths without a breakout box, ShowLink lets you push transmitter changes from front-of-house without touching the rack, and Quadversity mode — when you have the antenna infrastructure to support it — adds a fourth diversity path for environments where two-antenna setups leave you exposed.

Best fit

Where it earns its place in the rack

If you're running four or more Axient Digital channels and can justify the per-channel cost, the AD4Q is the right answer: it consolidates infrastructure, simplifies cable management, and keeps everything inside one managed ecosystem. If you only need one or two channels, the single or dual Axient Digital receivers will serve you without the price commitment. And if your budget ceiling is hard, look seriously at the ULX-D or SLX-D lines — the AD4Q's value is in density and Quadversity capability, not entry-level wireless.

Shure AD4Q Axient Digital Quad Mic Receiver — three-quarter view
Shure AD4Q Axient Digital Quad Mic Receiver — three-quarter viewPhoto: Shure
In the rack

Details worth deciding before load-in.

  • Run your antenna distro to the two BNC inputs on this unit rather than cabling direct from the antennas — at quad density you'll want the distribution headroom, and it keeps your antenna runs consistent across the rack.
  • Assign all four Dante channels to your Primary network path first and confirm Secondary failover before doors open; with redundant EtherCon paths available, there's no reason not to have both wired and tested.
  • Use ShowLink early in advance of soundcheck to verify remote transmitter control reaches every position on your stage — knowing your RF coverage map before the show removes one variable when things get busy.
  • At 340mm deep, verify your rack case has adequate rear clearance for EtherCon connectors and XLR breakouts without forcing a bend on any cable; a shallow gig bag will cause problems here.

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

4 documented inputs

bnc + IEC C14

Arrives as
4 documented inputs
Connector
bnc + IEC C14
Signal
antenna

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 · Wireless Mic

Use it when 1U and 340 mm of depth fit the case.

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 DANTE; 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
Rear panel
AC PowerAC Powerctrl 1ctrl 2Dante 1Dante 2word clock75 Ω termAES3 3&4output 4output 4output 3output 3AES3 1&2output 2output 2output 1output 1BA
All documented ports for Shure AD4Q Axient Digital Quad Mic Receiver
PortPanelConnectorDirectionSignalChannels
XLR Out 1rearXLR male outputanalog audio—
XLR Out 2rearXLR male outputanalog audio—
XLR Out 3rearXLR male outputanalog audio—
XLR Out 4rearXLR male outputanalog audio—
1/4" Out 1 (-10dB)rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
1/4" Out 2 (-10dB)rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
1/4" Out 3 (-10dB)rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
1/4" Out 4 (-10dB)rear¼-inch TRS outputanalog audio—
AES3 1&2 Outrearaes3 xlr outputdigital audio2
AES3 3&4 Outrearaes3 xlr outputdigital audio2
Antenna Arearbnc inputantenna—
Antenna Brearbnc inputantenna—
Antenna Cascade Out Crearbnc outputantenna—
Antenna Cascade Out Drearbnc outputantenna—
Dante PrimaryrearDante RJ45 bidirectionaldigital audio4
Dante SecondaryrearDante RJ45 bidirectionaldigital audio4
Ctrl 1 (PoE)rearRJ45 bidirectionaldata—
Ctrl 2 (PoE)rearRJ45 bidirectionaldata—
Word Clock In (BNC)rearbnc inputdigital audio—
Word Clock Thru (BNC)rearbnc outputdigital audio—
Power (IEC locking)rearIEC C14 inputpower—
AC Power Cascade Out (IEC)rearIEC C14 outputpower—

Showing 22 of 22 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
Shure AD4Q Axient Digital Quad Mic Receiver — front panel
Shure ULXD4Q Quad Receiver — front panel
Shure ULXD4Q Quad Wireless Mic Receiver — front panel
Wisycom MCR54 Quad Wireless Mic Receiver — front panel with antenna inputs and headphone output
Fit📐 1U📐 1U📐 1U📐 Outside rack
Power⚡ 35W⚡ 30W⚡ 25W⚡ 18W
Weight⚖️ 7.9 lb⚖️ 7.6 lb⚖️ 7.6 lb⚖️ 3.3 lb
I/O🔌 22🔌 11🔌 11🔌 7
Estimate💵 ~$9,995💵 ~$6,950💵 ~$6,950💵 ~$7,495
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.

How will the Shure AD4Q Axient Digital Quad Mic Receiver affect rack fit and case depth?

It occupies 1U. Its documented depth is 340 mm.

How much power does the Shure AD4Q Axient Digital Quad Mic Receiver draw?

Typical draw is 35W and documented maximum draw is 42W.

What connections does the Shure AD4Q Axient Digital Quad Mic Receiver have?

22 documented physical ports, including XLR Out 1, XLR Out 2, XLR Out 3, XLR Out 4, 1/4" Out 1 (-10dB), 1/4" Out 2 (-10dB).

07 · See this unit inside a real rack plan.

Builder preview

Placement is only the start. Builder checks space · depth · weight, power headroom, dependencies, and compatible signal paths around this exact catalog item.Open in Builder
AD4Q Axient Digital Quad Mic Receiver positioned in a rack planA simplified plan shows the unit taking 1 rack units, with its documented connection path continuing to a planned destination.ShureAD4QCONNECTED GEARnext signal destination1U · 340 mm deep

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

Planning guides for wireless mic systems.