Allen & Heath CQ-20B: inputs, outputs and rack mounting guide
The CQ-20B is a compact 96 kHz digital mixer with no control surface: you mix from the free CQ apps over its built-in WiFi or a wired network. Every socket is on one panel: 16 mic/line inputs, two stereo line inputs, 8 XLR outputs, Alt Out jacks, headphones, USB-A, USB-B, an SD card slot, a network port and the mains inlet. Click any socket on the panel below to see what it does.
- 16 mic/line inputs
- 2 stereo line ins
- 8 XLR outputs
- Alt Out A/B
- USB-B audio (24x24)
- Built-in WiFi
- AC mains, internal PSU
- Rack kit, 4U
CQ-20B specifications
| Model | CQ-20B |
| Inputs to mix | 20 (16 mono, 4 stereo: ST1, ST2, USB, Bluetooth) |
| Mic/line inputs | 8 x XLR, 8 x XLR/jack combo (2 with Hi-Z), +48 V phantom |
| Stereo line inputs | ST1 and ST2, each 2 x 1/4 in. TRS, balanced (Left/Mono normalled) |
| Mix outputs | 6 x XLR (Outputs 1 to 6), balanced, +4 dBu nominal, +22 dBu max |
| Main outputs | 2 x XLR (Main L and R), balanced |
| Alt outputs | 2 x 1/4 in. TRS (Alt Out A and B) |
| Headphones | 1 x stereo headphone output |
| USB-A | Stereo record and playback, data, firmware updates |
| USB-B | USB 2.0 audio interface, 24 sends and 24 returns, 48 or 96 kHz |
| SD card | SDHC up to 32 GB, 24 tracks at 48 kHz or 16 at 96 kHz |
| Network | RJ45, for control from apps |
| WiFi | Built-in dual band access point (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) |
| Bluetooth | 4.1, stereo playback to its own channel |
| Processing | 96 kHz, latency under 0.7 ms, 4 FX engines |
| Power | 100 to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, 45 W max, IEC inlet, internal PSU |
| Size (W x D x H) | 372 x 154 x 134 mm (14.7 x 6.1 x 5.3 in.) |
| Weight | 2.6 kg (5.8 lb) |
| Rack space | 4U with the CQ20B-RK19 rack kit |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 40 °C (32 to 104 °F) |
Every socket on the CQ-20B, explained
Click a card to light up those sockets on the panel above.
Inputs 1 to 8 (XLR)8 on the panel
The top row of eight XLR sockets are mic/line inputs with recallable preamps and +48 V phantom power. Use them for microphones and DI boxes.
Inputs 9 to 16 (XLR/jack combo)8 on the panel
The middle row takes an XLR or a 1/4 in. jack. Plug a mic into the XLR, or a keyboard or other line source into the jack. The jack has a fixed 20 dB pad for line level.
Inputs 15 and 16 have a Hi-Z option, so you can plug a guitar or bass straight in without a DI box.
Outputs 1 to 6 and Main L/R (XLR)8 on the panel
The bottom row of XLR sockets are the outputs. Outputs 1 to 6 carry monitor mixes, in-ear feeds or extra zones, and can be linked into up to 3 stereo pairs.
The last two sockets, marked MAIN L and R, are the main outputs. Run them to your front-of-house speakers or amplifier.
Stereo inputs, Alt Out, footswitch and headphones8 on the panel
ST1 IN and ST2 IN are two stereo line inputs on 1/4 in. jacks, for a phone, laptop, playback device or keyboard. Plug into Left only for a mono source.
ALT OUT A and B are two balanced jack outputs that you can assign in the app, for example to a recorder or a second pair of speakers.
The FOOTSWITCH jack takes a single or dual footswitch, and the headphone jack next to it is for listening to any mix.
USB-A and USB-B2 on the panel
USB-A takes a USB drive for stereo recording and playback, archiving shows and firmware updates.
USB-B connects to a Mac or PC as a 24 x 24 audio interface for multitrack recording and virtual soundcheck.
Network port1 on the panel
The RJ45 port connects to a router, access point or computer so you can mix from the free CQ apps on a tablet, phone, Mac or PC.
Mains inlet1 on the panel
The IEC inlet feeds the internal power supply, which accepts 100 to 240 V AC. Use the p-clip next to it to hold the mains cable in place, especially before you rack the mixer.
No screen, no faders. The CQ-20B is mixed entirely from the CQ apps. The small Reset button on the left of the panel resets the unit and helps set up a remote connection, and the CM LED is a chromatic meter you can assign to show signal or status.
Recording and playback
- SD card: records and plays back up to 24 tracks at 48 kHz (16 at 96 kHz). Use an SDHC card up to 32 GB, UHS-I Class 10.
- USB-B: 24 channels to a computer and 24 back, Core Audio on Mac, ASIO or WDM on Windows.
- USB-A: stereo WAV recording from the outputs, the stereo inputs or the FX, and playback of mono or stereo WAV files.
Mixing from a tablet over WiFi
The CQ-20B has its own dual band WiFi access point with a replaceable antenna, so a tablet or phone can connect straight to the mixer with no router. Use the network port instead when you want the mixer on an existing network. Bluetooth is for music playback only, to its own stereo channel.
Rack mounting the CQ-20B
The CQ20B-RK19 rack kit holds a left ear, a right ear and four M4 x 8 Torx screws. You need a Torx T20 driver.
- Place the CQ-20B on a padded surface with the sockets facing down.
- Line up each ear with the unused screw holes on the underside, near the rubber feet, so the front of the ear is parallel to the socket panel. Each ear fits one side only; the right ear has a cut-out for the fan.
- Fix each ear with two of the supplied M4 Torx screws. Use only the supplied screws.
- Secure the mains cable with the p-clip, then mount the mixer in the rack.
Give it 4U and airflow. The mixer needs at least 4U of rack space. Keep the vents clear, especially on the right side where the cooling fan is. A small gap between the ears and the sides of the mixer is normal.
Frequently asked questions
How many mic inputs does the CQ-20B have?+
Sixteen. Eight are XLR sockets and eight are XLR/jack combo sockets, all with +48 V phantom power. Inputs 15 and 16 also have a Hi-Z option for guitars.
How do you control the CQ-20B?+
From the free CQ apps for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android, over the built-in WiFi or the network port. The mixer has no screen or faders.
How many outputs does the CQ-20B have?+
Eight XLR outputs (Outputs 1 to 6 plus Main L and R), two Alt Out jacks and a headphone output.
How much rack space does the CQ-20B need?+
At least 4U, using the CQ20B-RK19 rack kit, which fixes two ears to the underside of the mixer.
Does the CQ-20B need an external power supply?+
No. It has an internal power supply and an IEC mains inlet that takes 100 to 240 V AC. It draws up to 45 W.
Can the CQ-20B record multitrack?+
Yes. It records up to 24 tracks to an SD card at 48 kHz, or streams 24 channels to a computer over USB-B with 24 coming back.
Plan this digital mixer in your rack
The CQ-20B is in the Allen & Heath library for DaMatrix, with every port mapped so you can drag it into a rack, patch it and print the documentation.
Related Allen & Heath devices
Summarized from the Allen & Heath CQ-20B Technical Datasheet and CQ-20B Rack Kit Fitting Note (AP12817). This page is a quick reference; check the full manual for safety warnings and model-specific limits.