The Qu-3 & Qu-3D: Impressive Digital Mixers
Ever since the first generation, Allen & Heath's Qu series has been a trusted benchmark for sound engineers who need fast, hassle-free mixing. Engineers making the leap from analog felt right at home straight away: step up, grab a fader, and go. With the Qu-5, Qu-6, and Qu-7, Allen & Heath introduced a new generation boasting a more powerful engine, refined workflow, and expanded connectivity. Now comes the smallest member of the family—and it makes surprisingly few compromises.
Make no mistake: the Qu-3 is no stripped-back entry-level mixer. Under the hood, it packs the exact same processing engine as its larger siblings, complete with the same channel count and smart wizard features that cut down soundcheck times. The real difference is the footprint: fewer physical faders, a desktop-friendly chassis, and an angled screen for comfortable seated operation. A smaller footprint and fewer faders also mean a lower price tag without sacrificing a single drop of processing power. Allen & Heath has deliberately designed this desk for spaces well beyond the main stage.
That space is, above all, the AV engineer's workspace. Think meeting rooms and conference centres, where automatic mic mixing keeps panel discussions crystal clear without anyone having to ride the faders. Think broadcast control rooms and streaming studios where every inch of desk space is precious, or recording studios looking for a compact mixer for tracking and cue mixes. Even small theatre spaces, schools, or bands gigging in local pubs will find a fully featured mixer in a portable footprint far more capable than a tablet paired with a stage box.
For network-ready installations, there’s the Qu-3D. It comes equipped with native Dante—the industry-standard audio networking protocol that streams multi-channel audio across standard network cables. In modern AV systems, Dante is no longer just a nice-to-have; it's a requirement for linking microphones, amplifiers, recorders, and conferencing gear on a unified network. With the Qu-3D, the familiar Qu workflow integrates seamlessly into networked setups.
All in all, Allen & Heath's Qu-3 and Qu-3D bring the new Qu generation to spaces and users who previously had to settle for smaller or feature-limited alternatives. Existing Qu users get their favorite workflow right on their desk, while newcomers have the perfect excuse to check it out.
