Finally, the perfect mixer? [Allen & Heath QuPac]

[Stumm42]

Yeah.brought it off eBay.thought I was gonna get scammed, but arrived and seems to work great

[b73]

Hi,

I’m looking into getting a QuPac to use primarily without a DAW. Could someone please confirm if the following workflow is possible/easy to accomplish:

1. Connect instrument to line-input-1 and record to Qu-Drive track-1.
2. Disconnect instrument from line-input-1
3. Patch playback of track-1 from Qu-Drive to channel-2
4. Apply compression, effects etc to channel-2 and record to Qu-Drive track-2.

In short I want to know if I can build up a mix piecemeal, utilising pre-recorded tracks from the Qu-Drive, that can be further effected/re-fined without the original instruments being connected to the mixer.

Thanks in advance

[b73]

It turns out that it’s not possible to record and playback with Qu-Drive at the same time, so the workflow I described above would not be possible.

[b73]

I think you could be right something like the Zoom LiveTrak L-12 could fulfill my needs. But it doesn’t look like it has the studio quality eq, compressor etc that I desire.

One of the big appeals of the QuPac was having a visual parametric EQ, a quality compressor per channel and being able to use the visual RTA.

The QuPac seems very close to what I need, but unfortunately seems to be somewhat restricted in the multi-tracking aspect.

[b73]

Thanks for the suggestion @Ray-Ray_Velouria, I think that could work.

So if I understand correctly, my workflow for my contrived example would be:

1. Connect instrument to line-input-1 of QuPac.
2. Route channel 1 output to multitrack recorder and record to track-1.
3. Disconnect instrument from QuPac.
4. Connect track-1 output from multi-track to line-input-1 of QuPac.
5. Optionally apply compression, effects etc to channel-1 and record to Qu-Drive track-1.

Any suggestions on a good multitrack device that could fit? I guess ideally it would have a similar number of tracks as the QuPac does channels.

Thanks again.

[LyingDalai]

I remember having read something about reading QuDrive tracks while recording other ones…
Are you guys absolutely sure this can’t be done? Got to check this again.

@hereiamhere75 you can perfectly use a delay and send it back into itself. On the Qu24 I have, it’s really easy to handle, and you can use the EQ to filter the feedback…

[b73]

@LyingDalai see the Qu-Drive modes section of the following article:

Multitrack Record + Multitrack Playback, not supported simultaneously.

http://support.allen-heath.com/Knowledgebase/Article/View/774/201/understanding-qu-drive-and-usb-devices

[LyingDalai]

Oh, I have just figured the manual was not really helping in this regard.
Thx for the link, @b73!

[zfigz]

Do inputs on the expander show as channels on the mixer? i.e. the mixer natively on the Qu-Pac will have 16 channels (talking about the mic inputs here), will the mixer be able to display and control 32 channels using the AB168?

Yes, I have an AR84. You’ll have access to all additional INs/OUTs via the in/out menu under setup.

Effects routing: again I have seen conflicting things here, how much control is there on what can be routed to the outputs? Ideally I would like to set up different channels being routed to different outputs on a song by song basis so that I can send / return effects. I know that the Qu-Pac has some pretty decent on board effects, but I could not find anything concrete in regards input effects etc.

I use the 3 stereo outputs on the QuPac for my 3 outboard effects. You’ll have to eat up some inputs, but that’s how I go about it.

[zfigz]

So with this in mind, my last question would be is it possible to route a channel to an output I am using as an external effects send but not have that channel going to the main mix (i.e. muted to all intents) and just use the return of the effect which would have both wet and dry signal already mixed? Does the Qu-Pac go to that level of flexibility?

Yes, you can mute whatever you’d like and route anything pretty much anywhere. I’ll often route multiple effect outputs to a Group which is what I’ll end up recording instead of the single effect outputs.

[MartinL]

I am selling my Qu PAC pm me if interested

[zfigz]

i am keeping my qupac, but selling my ar84 if you’re in need of more inputs/outputs.

[anon64972012]

I finally got one after 2 years hunt for a good deal. Once i had it i realized that i should have bought the first time i saw this thread.

[wickfut]

those breakout boxes, do they introduce any latency? Might get one or two to save running wires everywhere

[zfigz]

i don’t notice latency, but the AR84 does whir a bit. other than that, it’s been a great option for adding additional inputs/outputs.

[tsutek]

Whir? it has a fan or something?

[zfigz]

yes, has a cooling fan. if it’s close by it’s very noticeable.

[jingo]

Yup, xlr to line works fantastic, using my specular tempus this way

Off topic, the built in effects are not that bad btw…

[zfigz]

aye, no issues using the XLR mix outputs. they sound good to my ears, but i’m no expert.

as for the internal fx, i’m quite fond of the reverb.

[tsutek]

Are the QuPac fx the same as on the SQ-5? I am not sure I like the fx too much on the SQ-5… But plenty of outputs at my disposal so setting up fx loops is not a problem. Using a line level shifter for going with balanced XLR into unbalanced quarter inch and back.