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Allen & Heath CQ-12T 10-channel Digital Mixer

10-channel Digital Mixer with 10 Mic Preamps, Touchscreen, Effects, 16-channel SD Recorder, 16-in/16-out USB Audio Interface, and Bluetooth
5 Write review Item ID: CQ12T
$899.99

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CQ-12T 10-channel Digital Mixer with Rackmount Kit

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CQ-12T 10-channel Digital Mixer with Padded Carry Bag

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A Full-fledged Digital Mixer for Your Desktop

The Allen & Heath CQ-12T is a compact — and feature-packed — 10-channel digital mixer that fits in your backpack. This portable 96kHz-capable mixer boasts uncompromising audio quality, ensuring top-notch sound in any application. And its smart controls and processing tools make it a breeze to use. The CQ-12T's Preamp Gain Assistant and Feedback Assistant make setup a snap, and its instrument-based Quick input delivers great mixes in no time flat. Want manual control? No problem. Each track includes a Complete input that allows for in-depth tweaking. You get built-in Smart-FX units, arming you with a full complement of reverbs, delays, modulations, and more. Navigating the CQ-12T is a cinch, thanks to its straightforward tactile encoder, custom keys, and responsive touchscreen. The CQ-12T is also great for recording, courtesy of SD recording and playback and a built-in USB audio interface. Baked-in Bluetooth connectivity rounds out the Allen & Heath CQ-12T's robust feature set.

Related Videos: CQ-12T 10-channel Digital Mixer

Smart controls and processing tools

Here at Sweetwater, we've found the CQ-12T to be an easy digital mixer to navigate. Its Preamp Gain Assistant takes all the guesswork out of setting your levels. Its Feedback Assistant makes locating and neutralizing acoustic feedback frequencies a piece of cake. You also get instrument-based Quick inputs that help you get a great sound — fast. The CQ-12T includes two Smart-FX engines, which enable you to select from easy-to-use reverb, delay, and modulation units for instrument-centric, signal-conscious effects.

Intuitive hands-on control

Taking command of the Allen & Heath CQ-12T is easier than a walk in the park. Its tactile encoder enables you to adjust a wide range of parameters with a single, easy-to-use knob. Its custom keys allow you to tailor the CQ-12T to your preferred workflow. Moreover, its responsive touchscreen gives you the perfect combination of physical control and at-a-glance visual feedback.

Rock-solid recording options

The CQ-12T makes multitrack recording extremely simple. For starters, you get 16 channels of SD card recording and playback via an onboard SD card reader. Beyond that, its built-in 16-in/16-out USB audio interface allows you to create top-shelf digital multitrack recordings using your DAW of choice.

Allen & Heath CQ-12T 10-channel Digital Mixer Features:

  • A compact 10-channel digital mixer that fits in your backpack
  • Exhibits outstanding sound quality at 96kHz
  • 10 excellent-sounding microphone preamps and stereo Bluetooth input
  • Preamp Gain Assistant takes all the guesswork out of setting levels
  • Feedback Assistant makes locating and neutralizing acoustic feedback frequencies a piece of cake
  • Instrument-based Quick inputs help you get a great sound quickly
  • Complete inputs allow for in-depth tweaking
  • Smart-FX engines include reverb, delay, modulation, and more
  • Tactile encoder adjusts a wide range of parameters with a single, easy-to-use knob
  • Custom keys tailor the mixer to your preferred workflow
  • Responsive touchscreen combines physical control and at-a-glance visual feedback
  • 16 channels of SD card recording and playback via an onboard SD card reader
  • Built-in 16-in/16-out USB audio interface enables top-shelf digital multitrack recordings using a computer and DAW

Additional Media

Live Mixer Buying Guide

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Digital Mixer/Recorder/USB Interface
  • Channels: 10
  • Inputs - Mic Preamps: 5 x XLR-1/4" Combo, 5 x XLR
  • Phantom Power: 10 Channels
  • Inputs - Line: 2 x 1/4" TRS (L, R)
  • Outputs - Main: 2 x XLR (main)
  • Outputs - Direct: 6 x 1/4" TRS (monitors)
  • Data I/O: 1 x RJ45
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/4" TRS
  • USB: 1 x Type B, 1 x Type A
  • Computer Connectivity: USB (16 x 16), Ethernet
  • Bluetooth: Stereo Input
  • Remote: 1 x 1/4" (footswitch)
  • Effects: Reverbs, Delays, Modulators
  • Signal Processing: 96kHz FPGA
  • Features: Feedback Assistant
  • Screen: 7" touchscreen
  • Storage: SD card slot
  • Software: CQ MixPad App, CQ4You App
  • Rackmountable: Yes (kit sold separately)
  • Power Source: 12V DC Power Supply
  • Manufacturer Part Number: AH-CQ12T

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Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5

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Quantum Difference

Our five piece band switched from analog to digital via the CQ-12 and the difference is remarkable. The CQ-12;automated routines make running the sound from the stage a breeze. Interface is quite intuitive taking no more than a few days to become familiar with navigation. The unit's small size and light weight are also welcomed by any aging musician.
by Jay Freeman from Folsom, CA on
Music background: Guitarist and vocalist

Great mixer

So I wanted to upgrade from a Mackie DL mixer that I have been using for years. It sounded great but honestly it was not very intuitive. Having to sync up an iPad and WiFi router was frustrating since you had to do it in a particular sequence and then the iPad interface was frustrating because there were too many windows to negotiate at a gig and there was no knobs to tweak parameters with.

When I saw the CQ and looked at the design, my impression was thinking, now they really thought this out. Everything is intuitive, the pres sound great , it's an amazing size, and the smart buttons and scroll knob make adjustments a breeze in the fly. The built in screen is big enough to use without syncing an iPad and windows were thought out very well. It's a winner! I'm very pleased.
by Sweetwater Customer on

Beginning of a new generation of small digital mixers

I have two Soundcraft UI24r mixers (and one UI12) that are loaded with function at a great price per channel. Key features of the UI24r include direct tracking (recording) to USB drive, a USB interface to DAWs giving access to each of the tracks, and so on. But the smaller mixers in the Soundcraft line can only do a stereo recording of the main mix and have no DAW interface at all. Same story with the comparable Mackie mixers. I have wanted to get these capabilities in a more compact mixer I could use for small jobs.

That's exactly what this A&H mixer does. And it goes beyond the prior generation: 96K recording, built-in touch display in addition to networking to your tablet/laptop, and bluetooth for streaming BG music. It is very strong.

I got mine last week and have been doing some heavy stress testing before using it on an important sound job. Here are some observations:
1) Seems very solid. I have run it for hours without any hiccups. The physical package seems solid as well.
2) The Bluetooth works OK, but seems to be very limited in distance. It is no problem for me because I keep my background music on a retired cell phone that I can set beside the mixer.
3) I thought I might be able to playback MP3s that are on a USB drive. I don't believe that is possible, at least not with the current level of firmware. If you really want to do that, you can export all your tracks as WAV and make sure to put them in the correct folder on the USB drive. You can play WAVs, but I think they must be rendered at the same clocking that you are running on the board (this same restriction is on the Behringer X32.) This is not nearly as elegant as the media player feature on the Soundcraft mixers, but I think most people will find the Bluetooth support an acceptable solution.
4) This mixer doesn't have any subgroups or VCAs, but it does have 6 monitor mixes. As a 10-channel mixer, I wouldn't really use subgroups or VCAs much.
5) The user interface is orderly and easy to learn. The Android app is essentially the same thing that runs on the built-in touchscreen, and you can use them simultaneously.
6) There is no built-in WiFi on this mixer, which I consider a benefit. The low-power routers built into the Behringer and Soundcraft mixers cause endless problems. I have always used a real router, and the A&H was completely plug and play for me.
7) Sound quality is excellent. In a live sound setting, I think it would be very difficult to discern from the most expensive consoles.
8) Recording to SD card is set to 96K by default. This product does not support SDXC, so the largest card you can use (without hacking) is 32GB. If you are recording everything at 96, that's under 2 hours. 48K recording is OK for what I do, and I don't need to record the LR mains. So capturing the 8 analog channels is about 4 hours per SD card.
9) There are two modes you can use for any of the channels. The full channel is essentially the same as with all digital mixers. A big design focus of this mixer was to get quick setup and good results with a minimum of effort, so A&H offers a simple mode that presents more of a novice-level interface for each channel. I initially thought I would probably opt for all complete channels, but after using this on a gig, I found that the easy channels are just that -- just take the time to load the easy presets that match the instrument/voice you are using on each channel. The simplified controls are very effective, and you always have the option to convert individual channels to "complete" mode. I might do that if I really need to tweak a noise gate or EQ setting. For example, on the first gig out, there was an aux percussion player who had a hand drum with a really unpleasant resonance around 400 Hz. So I converted that to a full channel, so I could cut that resonance precisely. But I left all the other channels as "easy", and it was easy.

I cannot emphasize how useful and comforting it is to have the multitouch display built in. With the other products (Soundcraft, Behringer, Mackie), I would often take the extra time to set up a laptop with Ethernet access so I would always have control even if the WiFi became a problem. With the built-in screen that is always available. I did most of the mixing on an Android tablet, but it did lose connection one time momentarily during the show, and I didn't have any worries.

This is really a great product if you have a lot of jobs that can be done with 10 channels. I have not tested the DZW interface, but I have no reason to expect that will not be just as good as everything else on this product.
by Craig Parmerlee from Indianapolis, IN on

Great compact mixer, some limitations

I've been looking for a compact digital mixer for some time now but most on the market just dont seem to make the cut. Either the GUI is disorganzied and hard to operate or require networking to an external device at all times, they just didn't make sense for me. I work full time at a full scale production company and use all the big bad boy mixers all the time. But when I found the CQ series I knew that it was going to be the one. Very user friendly interface that can be operated on the console itself or from an iPad. Once networked properly the CQ MixPad app is seamless and does not drop out. Sound Quality is truly impressive given the size and cost and can run top of the line systems without a hitch. In the studio its versatility as Digital Audio Interface with multitrack recording made a huge difference in my workflow at home. I will take this thing with me to any small gig and everyone is always impressed with its might in such a small package. The only thing that is slightly annoying to me is how the channel strips are set in their spot on the interface and you cannot move them around as say on an SQ series, this means that you may have to navigate around some to do things quickly which is why I would not choose this for a larger band or anything that requires lots of quick adjustments. If you're looking for a modern feature packed affordable digital mixer this is hands down your choice over the other similar products on the market and I would recommend to anyone looking to upgrade from a similar analog console. Great job with his one A&H. The case that is sold separately is also a great purchase to keep your investment safe.
by Simon Gilbert from Denver, CO on
Music background: Live Audio Engineer

Big things in Small packages

This thing has a little bit of everything only reason I gave it 4 stars was wish there was more FX engines like the CQ18 and wireless as well but still good for small getups
by Lorenzo from Kansas City on
Music background: DJ
See also: Mixers Digital, Allen & Heath, Allen & Heath Digital Mixers
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