Allen & Heath SQ7+ Review: A Familiar Face with Enhanced Features
Allen & Heath has released the SQ7+, an upgrade to their popular SQ console series. This review explores the new console's features, focusing on its user-friendliness, software improvements, and enhanced processing capabilities. The SQ7+ retains the familiar workflow of its predecessor while offering significant upgrades.
The SQ7+ addresses the learning curve of the original SQ console, making it more intuitive for users. The layout refinements, software improvements, and ergonomic enhancements make it feel like a natural evolution of the SQ series. The console's design is clean and refined, with a larger touchscreen and improved controls.
One of the most notable improvements is the software, which is now more detailed and user-friendly. The new 96kHz XCVI on-board processing core allows for advanced effects and channel processing, including premium reverbs, delays, de-essers, and multi-band dynamic EQs. The console also supports the latest generation of these effects, which were previously unavailable on the original SQ models.
The SQ7+ also introduces the RackUltra FX, a suite of effects that can be purchased separately. While the console physically names these effects buses, they are not included as standard. The console also offers a 'PlusPack' launch bundle, which includes all DEEP processing and RackExtra FX add-ons for new SQ+ owners who register their mixer.
The SQ7+ is an impressive evolution of the SQ series, offering a familiar workflow with enhanced features. It is a powerful and user-friendly console that is well-suited for live mixing and sound engineering.
Allen & Heath has successfully created a console that feels familiar while offering significant upgrades. The SQ7+ is a must-have for SQ console users and a strong contender in the market for live mixing consoles.
