June 1, 2026
In this post, I am here to document my Allen & Heath SQ-5 setup. This is a very complex digital mixer and I have a very specific setup (that seems to evolve and grow in complexity daily!). Not only that, but the mixer does many things that require changes in the setup (recordering to DAW vs doing a virtual sound check for example), and I want to document the settings. At the same time, I am also learning about some of the features that I like and use. This document is not complete but as my setup evolves, I will add things here.
Here we go!
INPUT SETUP
Though the SQ-5 can handle 48 inputs, there are a total of 23 physical inputs on this mixer. Other inputs are made available with the addition of a stage box. The Allen & Heath DX168 is an example of an excellent stage box that would offer an additional 16 ins and 8 outs.
This is a list of the devices currently physically plugged in to them:
Input # —- Device Name
1 – NW-800 Condenser mic
2 – EMPTY
3 – EMPTY
4 – EMPTY
5 – Beltuna Leader V Acoustic Accordion Left channel
6 – Beltuna Leader V Acoustic Accordion RIGHT channel
7 – Beltuna Leader V Acoustic Accordion Digital Channel
8 – Petosa Acoustic Accordion transmitter Left channel
9 – Petosa Acoustic Accordion transmitter Right channel
10 – Ketron X4 right hand orchestral instruments and effects
11 – LEKATO Wireless transmitter Left (for FR-8x)
12 – LEKATO Wireless transmitter Right (for FR-8x)
13 – BgMicL (SE Electronics SE4400a Condenser mic)
14 – BgMicR (SE Electronics SE4400a Condenser mic)
15 – SmallMicL (NW-410 Condenser mic)
16 – SmallMicR (NW-410 Condenser mic)
17 – ST1 L – BK-7m Left channel (ST1 is stereo, uses a single fader)
18 – ST1 R – BK-7m Right channel (ST1 is stereo, uses a single fader)
19 – ST2 L – Ketron X4 Arranger Left channel (ST2 is stereo, uses a single fader)
20 – ST2 R – Ketron X4 Arranger Right channel (ST2 is stereo, uses a single fader)
21 – ST3 L – EMPTY (3.5mm stereo input jack on top of mixer)
22 – ST3 R – EMPTY (3.5mm stereo input jack on top of mixer)
23 – EMPTY, (reserved for the TalkBack mic located to the left of input 16)
FADER POSITIONS
This is a digital mixer, I can place any input or any odd/even stereo pair on any single fader. On top of this, the mixer permits up to 6 layers, so each layer can have a different layout or function.
My setup currently mostly uses either Layer “A” or Layer “F”. On Layer “A”, I place things in a logical manner that makes things easy for me to use. On Layer “F” I have reserved all faders for the use of MIDI controlling REAPER (my DAW). It can control unlimited channels thanks to the BANK-UP and BANK-DOWN functions of the softkeys #7 & #8, or whatever channel I select in my DAW. Layers “B” through “E” are factory original settings. The mixer has 17 motorized faders, this is how LAYER “A” is layed out:
Fader# —- Device Name
1 – NW-800 Condenser mic
2 – BK-7m L/R channels
3 – Ketron X4 Arranger L/R channels
4 – Ketron X4 right hand instruments
5 – SmallMicL (NW-410 Condenser mic)
6 – SmallMicR (NW-410 Condenser mic)
7 – BgMicL (SE Electronics SE4400a Condenser mic)
8 – BgMicR (SE Electronics SE4400a Condenser mic)
9 – FR-8x Wireless transmitter Left channel
10 – FR-8x Wireless transmitter Right channel
11 – Petosa Acoustic Accordion transmitter Left channel
12 – Petosa Acoustic Accordion transmitter Right channel
13 – Beltuna Leader V Acoustic Accordion Left channel
14 – Beltuna Leader V Acoustic Accordion Right channel
15 – Beltuna Leader V Acoustic Accordion Digital channel
16 – Stereo AUX 1 – Used for my IEM volume control
17 – MASTER Fader – output control depending on if I am on any one of the the main, AUX or Matrix outputs.
SOFTKEYS
The SQ-5 has eight softkeys where I can configure many things to. By default, they are set to turn on or off any of 8 possible Mute Groups. Currently I only use 3 softkeys, #1, #7 and #8.
Softkey 1 – My “Panic Mute”. By hitting it, I activate MuteGroup 1 and turn off all sound.
Softkey 2 – Default
Softkey 3 – Default
Softkey 4 – Default
Softkey 5 – Default
Softkey 6 – Default
Softkey 7 – MIDI BANK DOWN
Softkey 8 – MIDI BANK UP
Recording to Reaper
To start the process, verify that the SQ-5 is set to USB mode and not SQ Drive and that we have connected the mixer to a computer via a USB-B (printer port style) cable.
Make sure that Reaper is properly configured to use the ASIO driver from the SQ-5 and that all channels (1 to 32), both in and out are selected and enabled. Bring up the template called “SQ-5 RECORDING TEMPLATE” that I created, and Reaper is ready to record any of my 32 inputs, however my template on covers whatever I have setup in the mixer at any given point PLUS a main stereo L/R channel.
We need to be sure that the SQ-5 routing is properly set up and I have created a SHOW file that reconfigures the entire mixer.
We are now ready to record on all my connected inputs. Please note, that we are sending all the DIRECT output from the mixer to Reaper without any effects, EQ, compression etc… this is straight fromthe inputs to the outputs to Reaper. I can apply any and all settings later in reaper and export a file… or I can now setup to do a virtual sound check and should I wish, output that to a file in Reaper that “sees” all the mixer effects.
SQ-5 Virtual Sound Check via Reaper
Once I have all the tracks recorded, I can do what is called a VIRTUAL SOUND CHECK, which means I can send each track to the same channel that it was captured on, straight out to the SQ-5 mixer without any editing or modifications. Any and all effects that I do on the mixer (EQ, compression, reverb, etc…), are heard and can be captured, but even better, I can immediately hear the effects of the changes that I make on the mixer. This is ideal to setup templates for settings, performance scenes and more.
To do this, we need to change the routing and again, I have created another SHOW file that references these needed changes. Now anything you play through reaper gets sent to each channel and I can make adjustments on the console so that I would hear what I sound like live or as final recordings if I was performing at a venue or recording at home and burning effects to the files.
IMPORTANT NOTE: USB routing is changed and I will lose computer audio with this setting. To make sure I hear “something” if I need to, in Voicemeeter Potatoe on the PC Audio and Chrome Audio sections, select an “A” setting to send the output to any of my available hardware devices like the 55″ TV, 31″ LG monitor or SB500 wireless headset for the time being. Once the sound check is completed, I can placeh the mixer back to the “SQ-5 to Reaper” preset to return things back to normal.
Windows 11 SOUND Setup
The influence of Voicemeeter is evident here and it is important to set up in this manner.
In Window 11’s “Sound Settings”In the OUTPUT section, select VOICEMEETER INPUT. In the INPUT section, select VOICEMEETER OUT A1.
In Window 11’s “More Sound Settings”, in the PLAYBACK TAB make sure that VOICEMEETER INPUT is set as the Default Device and that the SPEAKERS is VB-AUDIO VIRTUAL CABLE is set as the Default Communication Device.
In Window 11’s “More Sound Settings”, in the RECORDING TAB make sure that the CABLE OUTPUT – VB-AUDIO VIRTUAL CABLE is set as the Default Communications Device and that VOICEMEETER OUT A1 is the DEFAULT DEVICE.
Voicemeeter Potatoe Setup
Voicemeeter Potatoe is a crucial part of the setup. This application decides where what goes and it boosts audio levels that get sent to the Zoom Meeting stream. It also eliminates feed back because I can then remove all USB audio output on the AUX used by the stream and inject either PC audio or application audio like audio from a YouTube video without introducing echo. I can also control what devices or AUX outputs get what additions and at what levels. It’s setup is very specific.
I have specific AUXes on my SQ-5 set up for specific functions. The MAIN L/R sounds go to my main external speakers (monitors). AUX 1 is dedicated for my in ear monitors (IEMs), AUX 2 is dedicated to everything that gets sent out to my ZOOM MEETINGS and AUX 3 is dedicated to sending audio to OBS.
This means that I can turn down or off the MAIN L/R mix, instantly eliminating all potential for feedback. I can hear everything (incoming and outgoing sounds from my mixer and Zoom meeting stream) in my IEMs, on AUX 2 I can remove all incoming sounds from USB eliminating all echo and send exactly everything out from my mixer and even add in Youtube via voicemeeter. On AUX 3 I send everything incoming and outgoing to OBS but at a lower level for more headroom and all audio gets captured in stereo.
It is all about control… EXACTLY what gets sent where, at what levels and with which effects.
Input #1: Looking at the image above, and starting from left to right on the Voicemeeter interface, the first item we see is my mixer’s AUX 2 which displays as “SQ-5 CH3/4 Zoom”. The signal is output to “B2”.
Input #2: Moving one input to the right, we see the Link2Pro microphone which gives me a choice to use the mixer mic or the webcam’s mic for times when ultimate sound quality is not required. This signal is set to send to “B2 and B3”.
Input #3: Moving another step to the right we see my mixer’s AUX 3 which is identified as “SQ-5 CH5/6 OBS”. This channel is sent only to OBS. The signal is output to “B1”.
Input #4: The following option is the audio from my cellphone camera thanks to the Iriun app. I can grab my cellphone and walk around and have it’s audio pushed into the mix and OBS. This signal is set to send to “B2 and B3”.
Input #5 is currently not used.
So while anything labeled with a “B” is an input, I can also send signals to specific locations, and those are the physical outputs labeled as “A”
Physical output A1 goes to SQ-5 AUX 2
Physical output A2 goes to SQ-5 AUX 1
Physical output A3 goes to my 55″ LG TV monitor
Physical output A4 goes to my 31″ widescreen LG monitor
Physical output A5 goes to a wireless Bluetooth headset (Phillips SB5500)
Using the “A” outputs let’s me hear computer audio during times when the mixer output is cut or unavailable like during Virtual Sound Checks and so I can hear (for example) PC audio through one of my monitors as a backup or use my Phillips SB5500 headset as an alternate “listening source”.
Extra Notes:
May 31, 2025:
Today I spent a couple hours making some custom wires for my setup… they are made to fit between the mixer and the 2 sets of wireless Lekato wireless transmitter/receivers. One set for my FR-8X and one for accordions that have microphones built in them (The Beltuna Leader V and Petosa Antico). This way I can just swap accordions and boom, I am ready to record or use in a zoom meeting. Basically each one is dual male XLRs leading to a female 1/4″ stereo plug that mates to the 1/4″ male plug on the wireless receiver.
June 4, 2026:
The Reaper setup is evolving to match the mixer changes… here is what it looks like:
So that is it for now. As mentioned above, this is is a very fluid document that changes as my setup evolves and grows, so I will add the new stuff here.
Enjoy!