The Allen & Heath SQ7+ is a remarkable evolution of the SQ console series, offering a familiar yet enhanced mixing experience. This review delves into the key improvements and my personal insights, providing a comprehensive analysis of this upgrade. Personally, I've been a long-time user of the SQ-7, and I must say, the SQ7+ is a significant leap forward. What makes this console particularly fascinating is its ability to strike a perfect balance between familiarity and innovation. The SQ7+ retains the core strengths of its predecessor while addressing many of its limitations, making it an attractive upgrade for seasoned SQ users like myself. One of the most notable aspects of the SQ7+ is its user-friendly interface. The layout refinements, including the larger touchscreen and improved control placement, make it feel like a natural extension of the original SQ. What many people don't realize is that the learning curve is remarkably shallow, thanks to the thoughtful design choices made by Allen & Heath. The console's software improvements are equally impressive. The new 96kHz XCVI processing core enables the mixer to run advanced effects and channel processing, enhancing the mixing experience. The inclusion of premium reverbs, delays, de-essers, and multi-band dynamics processing is a game-changer, addressing a common pain point with the original SQ. However, the availability of these effects as add-ons can be frustrating, and I wish Allen & Heath would offer them as standard or via a USB licence key. The SQ7+ also introduces the RackUltra FX, which, while not included as standard, adds a layer of versatility to the console. The console's processing power is a significant upgrade, allowing for more sophisticated effects and channel processing. This is particularly evident in the improved de-essers and multi-band compressors, which are essential tools in modern mixing. The SQ7+ also addresses the issue of channel insert limitations, allowing for greater flexibility in the mixing process. The console's overall sound quality is exceptional, with the new effects and processing enhancing the SQ's already impressive sonic capabilities. The SQ7+ is an impressive evolution of the SQ console series, offering a familiar yet enhanced mixing experience. The improvements are subtle yet impactful, making it a compelling upgrade for SQ users. In my opinion, the SQ7+ is a testament to Allen & Heath's commitment to innovation and user experience. It's a console that feels like a natural extension of the original SQ, while offering significant advancements in processing power and sound quality. If you're already familiar with the SQ range, I believe you'll find the SQ7+ to be a seamless and powerful upgrade, taking your mixing to the next level.
