Allen & Heath has announced the Qu-3 and Dante-enabled Qu-3D, the most compact members of the Qu family to date, bringing 32-channel 96kHz processing, expanded I/O options, and a modern workflow to an 8+1 fader format suited to corporate A/V, broadcast, installed audio, live sound and home recording.
Qu-3 and Qu-3D are designed for applications where space is at a premium, without sacrificing capability. The desktop-friendly footprint, reduced weight, and optimised screen angle make them ideal for seated operation. The streamlined 8+1 layout retains the Qu series’ intuitive ‘walk up and mix’ workflow, with six fader layers, eight assignable SoftKeys, and fast access to key functions via dedicated controls and touchscreen.
‘With Qu-3 and Qu-3D, we set out to deliver the full Qu experience in the most compact format possible,’ says Senior Product Manager, Keith Johnson. ‘Small mixers often involve big compromises, but here you still get our renowned FPGA processing, exceptional audio quality, multiple recording options, and the tactile control professionals expect, all in a form factor designed to sit comfortably on a desktop.’
Sharing the same unified platform with the rest of the Qu range, both models feature Allen & Heath’s XCVI technology and offer 36 inputs (32 mono/linkable, two stereo), 12 mixes, four matrix and six FX engines with dedicated stereo returns. A 128×128 SLink port enables plug-and-play connection to Allen & Heath’s Everything I/O ecosystem, with additional connectivity including a 32×32 USB-C audio interface, multitrack recording via SD card, and stereo recording and playback through USB-A.
The Qu-3D variant features an integrated 16×16 Dante interface, upgradeable to 32x32 via an optional add-on, for straightforward integration into networked audio systems, making it particularly suited to conferencing, installation, and broadcast workflows.
Despite their compact footprint, both models feature the same high-performance mic preamps and 96kHz converters found across the Qu range, ensuring pristine audio quality throughout. Chromatic Channel Metering, responsive touch control, and refined ergonomics support fast, confident operation in demanding environments.
Assistive tools including Feedback and Gain Assist are onboard, helping to streamline setup and reduce technical overhead in live and installed scenarios. A 32-channel Automatic Microphone Mixer (AMM) further enhances performance in speech-focused applications. Like the rest of the Qu family, Qu-3 and Qu-3D are Deep Processing ready, with access to a growing range of add-ons from the flagship dLive series.
‘Qu-3 and Qu-3D open up the Qu platform to an even wider range of users and applications,’ Johnson adds. ‘Whether it’s a corporate A/V set-up, a broadcast position, or a compact production space, with the full power of the Qu core they deliver a level of performance and flexibility that simply hasn’t been available in this format before.’