Allen & Heath QU-3D digital mixing console with Dante

General

Once upon a time, a big live show meant running a snake: a back-breaking bundle of multi-core cable running all the way from the stage to the FOH desk. Today, all that audio travels over a single network cable, and the industry-standard protocol leading the charge is Dante. The Allen & Heath Qu-3D brings that networked world straight to a compact desktop mixer. It shares everything with the standard Qu-3—packing the complete 96 kHz engine of the larger Qu-5, Qu-6, and Qu-7 into a footprint with eight channel faders plus a master—but adds a built-in Dante interface. This makes it tailor-made for AV and broadcast environments where space is at a premium and the rest of the venue is already running over the network. Just like the Qu-3, its smaller footprint makes it more affordable than the larger Qu models without sacrificing an ounce of internal processing power.

What is Dante, and why do you need it on the Allen & Heath Qu-3D?

Dante is an audio networking protocol developed by Audinate that streams digital audio over standard Ethernet networks with exceptionally low latency, carrying dozens of channels simultaneously over a single cable. Dante-enabled devices discover each other automatically on the network, and the free Dante Controller software lets you route outputs to inputs as easily as drawing virtual cables. The massive advantage is cross-brand compatibility: stage boxes, wireless microphones, amplifiers, recorders, and conferencing systems from all kinds of manufacturers all speak the exact same language. Using Dante Virtual Soundcard software, you can also record Dante channels straight to a computer. To make this happen, the Qu-3D features a locking etherCON port delivering 16 x 16 channels at 48 or 96 kHz, expandable to 32 x 32 via an optional Add-On.

A fully fledged Qu on your desk with the Allen & Heath Qu-3D

Behind the Dante port lies the exact same powerful mixer found in the Qu-3. You can mix 32 mono and 2 stereo channels to 12 mixes and 4 matrix outputs, complete with 6 FX engines featuring dedicated stereo returns. Onboard connectivity includes sixteen combo inputs and eight XLR outputs, while the SLink port lets you connect Everything I/O stage boxes or even another Allen & Heath console. Nine 100 mm motorised faders, six customisable layers, and eight SoftKeys keep workflow fast and fluid, even when juggling high channel counts. The Gain Assistant and Feedback Assistant take the hassle out of soundchecks, while the built-in 32-channel Automatic Microphone Mixer (AMM) keeps panel discussions and meetings crystal clear without needing anyone to constantly ride the faders.

Recording and remote control with the Allen & Heath Qu-3D

Alongside Dante, recording options include a 32-channel in/out USB-C audio interface, standalone multitrack recording to SD card, or quick stereo recording to a USB flash drive. The 7-inch touchscreen is bright enough for well-lit control rooms and angled for comfortable seated desktop operation. Free control apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android let you adjust the mix from anywhere in the room. For those wanting to take their sound even further, DEEP Processing and RackExtra FX derived from Allen & Heath’s flagship dLive system are available as add-ons. In short: the Qu-3D is the Qu-3 for anyone already working in networked environments. A single cable to the rest of the system, the trusted Qu workflow upfront, and a footprint that fits into even the tightest control room. For AV integrators and broadcasters, it's a match made in heaven.