Touring Console

Stage Sound Managers

For any live setup the requirements are many and varied and typically include mic, line and instrument sources etc. But whether the setup is simple or complex, live console is always the heart of any stage show. The ideal console offers maximum flexibility, efficiency and control, making it easy to mix any type of performance. This product focus lines up five latest small or large format live consoles launched in 2018. This section does not endorse any product and is intended as a guide for future purchase.

Allen & Heath SQ-7

SQ-7 is the 33-fader flagship console in the SQ series, powered by Allen & Heath’s revolutionary 96kHz XCVI FPGA engine. Created to excel in demanding scenarios such as AV, corporate events, live productions and houses of worship, SQ-7 offers pristine high-resolution audio quality and an ultra-low latency of <0.7ms. The console features 32 exceptional onboard mic preamps, plus 8 stereo FX engines with dedicated stereo return channels and access to the renowned RackExtra FX library.

Main Features Include:

• 96kHz FPGA processing
• 48 Input Channels
• DEEP Processing ready
• 33 Faders / 6 Layers
• 12 Stereo mixes + LR
• 3 Stereo Matrix
• 8 Stereo FX Engines + dedicated stereo returns
• 7” capacitive touchscreen
• SLink port for remote audio / expansion
• 64ch I/O Port for audio networking
• 32×32 USB audio interface
• SQ-Drive direct recording to USB
• AES output
• Chromatic channel metering
• Integrated LED illumination
• Dedicated physical controls
• 16 Assignable SoftKeys
• 8 Assignable Soft Rotaries
• Channel LCD displays

Technical Specifications:

• Width x Depth x Height: Desk mounted 804 x 514.9 x 198 mm (31.7" x 20.3" x 7.8")
• Unpacked weight: 17.8 kg (39.3 lbs)
• Packed weight: 21.9 kg (48.3 lbs)

Ashly Audio digiMIX18

The digiMIX18 is a digital mixing solution that maintains all key features of the digiMIX24 in a more compact, rack-mountable model. It offers 18 inputs and 12 output buses (18x12) and maintains the same powerful real-time live control that give users instant access to all major functions.

Main Features Include:

• Precision Alps motorized 100mm fader
• Responsive, 7" color LCD touchscreen for graphical viewing, assign, and setup
• FREE iPad App for wireless remote control
• EZ-Mode for secure, simplified touchscreen or iPad control with EZ-Mode mixer
• Ships as desktop console, rack rails included
• 16 low noise microphone preamps with dedicated trim controls, +48V phantom power, phase invert
• Gain-sharing automixer
• Stereo AUX sends for stereo monitors
• 2 dedicated line-level inputs
• TRS inserts on channels 1-8
• 8 AUX sends, 6 DCA for fader or mute groups
• 2 internal stereo FX with fully editable reverbs, delay with tap tempo, tremolo, flange, and chorus
• Pan control
• High resolution delay (0.2mS) on every input, AUX, or FX
• Expander/noise gate on every input and FX channel
• Comp/limiter on every input, output, and FX channel
• 4-band parametric/shelving EQ filters plus HPF/LPF on every input, output, and FX channel
• 31-band Graphic EQ on main and AUX outputs
• Stereo link for adjacent inputs and AUX outputs
• Solo/PFL on every input, output, AUX, or FX
• Stereo main outputs on XLR and phone jack with dedicated level control
• Headphone and control room outputs with dedicated level controls
• User presets for Scene, DSP channel, FX or GEQ settings, plus channel copy function
• 24-bit A/D and D/A converters, 32-bit DSP processing, 48kHz sampling rate
• Internal 100-240VAC universal power supply

Technical Specifications:

• Microphone Input Class-A Discrete Balanced, 7.3k Ohm Input Impedance
  • Frequency Response to Main Output: 20Hz – 20kHz, +0.0/-0.5dB
  • Distortion (THD&N) to Main Output: <0.01% at 0dBu, 20Hz – 20kHz
  • Equivalent Input Noise: -126dBu, unweighted, 20Hz – 20kHz, 150 Ohm source
  • Gain (Trim): 0 dB – +50dB
  • Maximum Input Level: +20dBu, balanced
  • Phantom Power: +48VDC, 14mA per channel, assignable to channels 1-16
• Weights and Dimensions
  • Unit Dimensions: 19.3"L x 5.65"W x 14.0"H (486 x 144 x 356 mm)
  • Shipping Dimensions: 22.0"L x 8.15"W x 17.1"H (559 x 207 x 434 mm)
  • Unit Weight: 17.0 lbs (7.7kg)

Cadac CDC seven-s

The Cadac CDC seven-s is the new flagship console in Cadac’s digital lineup. It is not only physically larger than its sister consoles, the CDC six and five, but it also has a greater channel count, with 128 input channels and a configurable bus count of 56. It shares the same operating system and feature set as its smaller siblings meaning that show files can run across all three.

Main Features Include:

• Classic Cadac Mic-pres
• Sub 0.4 millisecond latency from analogue inputs on stage to analogue outputs on stage
• Automatic latency management system
• 128 input channels
• 64 busses, 56 are assignable as Group, Stereo Group, Aux, Stereo Aux or Matrix
• Unique Cadac Monitor Mode
• Custom Fader Layers
• 4 band fully parametric EQ
• Extensive dynamics
• 16 VCA groups including ‘VCA unfold’ navigation
• 16 assignable buttons with OLED displays
• 16 stereo on-board effects
• 31 band graphic equaliser on all outputs as well as 4 band fully parametric EQ
• Compressor/limiter on all outputs
• Input and output delays
• Snapshot automation system with Cue Ripple and Cue Preview
• Dugan Automixer post fade Insert for Waves

Technical Specifications:

• General Specifications CDC Seven
  • Faders: 36 x 100mm motorised faders
  • Screens: 2 x 23.5" 16:9 HD + 1 x 6.5" Touchscreens
  • PSU: 1 x external 19" 2U rackmount PSU
  • Inputs: Up to 192 (inc local I/O)
  • Channels: 128 with full processing
  • Busses: 56 configurable in pairs as group/aux/st aux plus dedicated LCR, monitor LR, headphones LR and talkback
  • Matrix: Up to 67 x 48 with full processing
  • Outputs: Up to 192 (inc local I/O)
  • Graphic EQ: 32 band +/-16 dB on all 55 outputs
  • Internal FX: 16 high-resolution 96 kHz stereo effects processors
  • Local IO: 8 x XLR Mic Inputs (inc 48 V, PAD and 1 dB gain steps), 8x XLR Balanced outputs, 4 x XLR AES/EBU inputs and 4 x XLR AES/EBU outputs
  • Comms: 2 x Cadac MegaCOMMS
• Audio Specification
  • Sample Rate: 96 kHz
  • Processing Delay: Sub 0.4 millisecond latency through complete signal chain
  • Internal Processing: 40-bit floating point
  • ADC/DAC: 24-bit
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 44 kHz + 0.5 / -1.5 dB
  • THD+N: better than 0.005% @unity gain, 10 dB input at 1 kHz
  • Channel Separation: better than 90 dB
  • Residual Output Noise: < -90 dBu (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
  • MIC EIN: < -127 dB with 200 Ohm source impedance
  • Maximum Output: 21 dBu
  • Dimensions: 1555.7mm wide x 766mm deep x 259.12mm height
  • Weight: 60kgs / 132lbs (approx)

Cadac CDC seven-s

Main Features Include: