Allen & Heath CQ desks

[LawrenceH]

I didn't mention but I have also tried v1.1 as I did spot the firmware version might be a potential issue. No luck.

 

Network is not set to connect automatically

[warwickhunt]

1 hour ago, Chienmortbb said:

You need to change the network settings so that networks are NOT connected to automatically. On IOS you need to disable Auto Join for all your networks. I have never found this setting on Android but both IoS and Android assume that you must be connected to the Internet and try to force it by default. In fact Windows does something similar. 

 

I generally don't connect wireless (tend to just use the CQ as is) hence I tend to forget that my android devices need fettling when I do go to use them.  It's even more relevant when infrequent users in various bands that I'm in want to connect and set IEM; I generally have to go round and get folk hooked up after disabling networks.  

[Chienmortbb]

3 hours ago, LawrenceH said:

I didn't mention but I have also tried v1.1 as I did spot the firmware version might be a potential issue. No luck.

 

Network is not set to connect automatically

Did you use a V 1.1 Mixpad?

 

Try running from a computer.

Edited December 11, 2025 by Chienmortbb

[LawrenceH]

1 hour ago, Chienmortbb said:

Did you use a V 1.1 Mixpad?

 

Try running from a computer.

Yes, I've installed first v1.2.2 and then uninstalled and installed 1.1.3 on my Windows 11 laptop. However just heard back from the seller that it had the latest firmware so that becomes less likely as an issue. Have put a query on the A&H forum, when I get the chance to be next to it during office hours I'll call their support line, I've read they're generally helpful

Edited December 11, 2025 by LawrenceH

[LawrenceH]

Just to update that I did another reset of the desk and reinstalled the latest version of MixPad, and this time all worked without a hitch. I've set the wireless to 5Ghz in case that was the issue, but really have no clue what was stopping it working previously. Just hoping it never recurs! 

 

Anyway, a test and play around with an SM58 and some good headphones leaves me very impressed, things sound good. I will definitely (over)use that double tracker effect. Channel compressors sound very good and versatile, lack of sidechain filtering notwithstanding. I think the app layout could be more versatile but the quick channel presets are good enough starting points that it's worth persevering with, just to build up some useful presets.

 

Those who use Mixing Station, is there a way of straightforwardly transferring Mixpad-derived settings?

 

I notice there are no hardware pads on the mic inputs, has anyone found this a problem in practice with e.g. kick drum mics?

[Al Krow]

14 minutes ago, LawrenceH said:

Just to update that I did another reset of the desk and reinstalled the latest version of MixPad, and this time all worked without a hitch. I've set the wireless to 5Ghz in case that was the issue, but really have no clue what was stopping it working previously. Just hoping it never recurs! 

 

Anyway, a test and play around with an SM58 and some good headphones leaves me very impressed, things sound good. I will definitely (over)use that double tracker effect. Channel compressors sound very good and versatile, lack of sidechain filtering notwithstanding. I think the app layout could be more versatile but the quick channel presets are good enough starting points that it's worth persevering with, just to build up some useful presets.

 

Those who use Mixing Station, is there a way of straightforwardly transferring Mixpad-derived settings?

 

I notice there are no hardware pads on the mic inputs, has anyone found this a problem in practice with e.g. kick drum mics?

 

All's well than ends...

 

Enjoy your CQ - it's a great piece of kit! We've been using our CQ18T for almost exactly a year now and my singer reminded me last night how much more clearly she was able to hear herself at the same Xmas party gig we did a year back, after upgrading from our Soundcraft MTK 12, which I put down to the better preamps and being able to tailor individual IEM feeds for everyone.

[Chienmortbb]

On 13/12/2025 at 14:19, LawrenceH said:

I notice there are no hardware pads on the mic inputs, has anyone found this a problem in practice with e.g. kick drum mics?

 

Not as yet, this is a question often asked by new users when migrating from analogue desks, the general opinion is that a pad is not needed. Incidentally, the auto gain is useful to get you in the ballpark. Once it is set, turn it off and do slight adjustments manually. Also be careful with the automatic feedback circuits, The live mode can be a bit aggressive, so use it to set fixed frequencies but leave live mode alone. Both these were lessons from personal experience. 

[Al Krow]

Not quite sure where to post this query, but here seemed as good a place as any!

 

 

We've been asked to connect to the house PA for a forthcoming gig and they've provided us with a couple of pics showing the set up, and they have a connecting cable provided.

 

It looks like they'll be providing a TRS --> xlr cable to connect our desk output.

 

I'm guessing that the cable will likely be balanced mono (and a not a stereo) TRS, and therefore will plug into one of the aux outs from our desk? Does that sound correct?

[Pirellithecat]

It couldn't be a left and right XLR feed (FOH) from your desk to the 2 sockets could it?

 

 

[warwickhunt]

Bad idea to make assumptions but... as there are a pair of XLR sockets in situ I'd be looking to unplug that one and plug my own L/R XLR>XLR outs from the desk.  

 

However as assumptions ca make and a55 of you I'd be prepared to take that lead from an Aux out.

[Phil Starr]

I'm with the majority, why would you have two sockets if they aren't left and right. That lead may just be something left by a previous band, who knows. You all use in-ears so it won't affect your performance but it might be worth looking to see if anyone you know has played there and what their experience was. Or ask the venue. It could be a good system if the people who installed it have eq'd for the venue. Good Luck

[Al Krow]

Sorry, I should have stated that those are the pictures supplied by the venue and that is the lead that the venue have been providing to their other acts. I'll see if I can find out a bit more.

[Al Krow]

On an unrelated point - I seem to be getting loud crackles and pops coming through my home RCF monitors when the set up has been left on and unattended for a couple of hours. It's now happened on a several different occasions over a period of weeks and occurs when it's just the desk connected up to the monitors, which pinpoints it as being a desk issue (or possibly a monitor issue, but I would have thought less likely).

 

Any particular reasons why this might be occurring, or just likely to be a fault with the desk which needs checking out under warranty? In which case I'll get it checked out with Andertons whom I got the desk from 15 months back.

[Woodinblack]

17 hours ago, Al Krow said:

We've been asked to connect to the house PA for a forthcoming gig and they've provided us with a couple of pics showing the set up, and they have a connecting cable provided.

 

I would assume they were left and right inputs to the PA, and would be expecting to ignore their cable and connect our left and right main output from the desk. However, I would also assume that someone somewhere had probably done something stupid and be prepared for that to be wrong and ask if they know what they are. I wouldn't be using that cable either way.

 

 

31 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

On an unrelated point - I seem to be getting loud crackles and pops coming through my home RCF monitors when the set up has been left on and unattended for a couple of hours. It's now happened on a several different occasions over a period of weeks and occurs when it's just the desk connected up to the monitors, which pinpoints it as being a desk issue (or possibly a monitor issue, but I would have thought less likely).

 

It could be a mains issue in your house. Do you have other monitors you could try? You can try leaving it with the other ones to see if it still does it to rule out your RCF monitors.

[Al Krow]

Thanks @Woodinblack - super helpful as always!

 

I guess the question is whether we use our own PA which we've been doing for several years there, and augment it with their in-house PA which extends into other rooms, or just try to use their in-house PA. 

 

I was thinking the former for the first time so our own PA would be taking the main desk outs as usual, and their in house PA effectively becomes a glorified venue monitor? Given that we don't pan our outputs, I'm assuming that a single "monitor" lead into their house PA from one of our aux outs using their cable should therefore be fine?

[Woodinblack]

19 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

I guess the question is whether we use our own PA which we've been doing for several years there, and augment it with their in-house PA which extends into other rooms, or just try to use their in-house PA. 

 

Down to trust really. I did an outdoor gig and brought my PA, I turned up and one of the other bands that was on later had their PA and it was seriously a professional many thousand of pound worth of audio equipment and a guy who clearly knew what he was doing, sound was fantastic. The next year they said that they were supplying a PA so I didn't bring mine, thought it would be great. It wasn't the same guy, it was 2 guys with with an 8 channel behringer analogue cheap mixer, a pair or standard behringer PA speakers and sub that was no where near as good as my PA, sound wasn't good.

Third year they said they had a PA too, so I brought mine anyway. As it turned out they had somewhere between the two and it was ok, but I don't trust it anymore, and if I have the space I will take mine.

 

Obviously you can wire yours up and chain the output to their speakers and see which sounds right.

 

19 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

I was thinking the former for the first time so our own PA would be taking the main desk outs as usual, and their in house PA effectively becomes a glorified venue monitor? Given that we don't pan our outputs, I'm assuming that a single "monitor" lead into their house PA from one of our aux outs using their cable should therefore be fine?

 

I doubt it, if they have two inputs I assume they have two sides, so if you only plug into one you would only have one side of the system working.