Allen & Heath
CQ-18T – 18-Channel 96kHz Digital Mixer with Touchscreen, Smart Assist & Multitrack Recording

Allen & Heath CQ-18T – 18-Channel Digital Mixer

Introduction

The Allen & Heath CQ-18T is a compact professional
18-channel digital mixing console designed for live sound, recording, broadcasting,
rehearsal rooms, content creation, houses of worship, corporate events, and portable PA applications.

It combines 96kHz high-resolution audio processing, smart mixing tools,
built-in recording features, touchscreen control, wireless connectivity, and a compact format that makes it easy to use in both fixed and mobile setups.

As part of the Allen & Heath CQ series, the CQ-18T is made for users who need professional digital mixing quality without the complexity of a large-format console.

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Core Function: Digital Mixing System

The CQ-18T is a full digital mixer with flexible routing, advanced DSP processing, and modern control options.

It provides:

• 18 total input channels
• 6 output mixes for main and auxiliary routing
• 96kHz high-resolution digital processing
• Advanced channel processing for vocals, instruments, and playback sources
• Built-in recording, playback, and USB audio interface functions
• Touchscreen, encoder, app, and wireless control

Unlike a traditional analog mixer, the CQ-18T gives the user precise digital control, recallable settings, advanced processing, and flexible operation in a compact body.

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Smart Assist Technology

One of the key strengths of the Allen & Heath CQ-18T is its intelligent assistant system, designed to simplify setup and reduce the time needed to achieve a clean and balanced mix.

Gain Assistant

The Gain Assistant helps set and manage input gain levels automatically. This helps prevent clipping, distortion, and weak input signals while keeping the source level optimized.

Feedback Assistant

The Feedback Assistant detects and suppresses problematic frequencies in real time, helping reduce feedback during live performances, speeches, conferences, and worship applications.

These smart tools make the CQ-18T useful for experienced engineers as well as users who want a faster and more guided workflow.

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Audio Processing Engine

The system runs on a 96kHz high-resolution DSP engine, delivering professional sound quality with low latency performance.

Each channel includes:

• 4-band parametric EQ
• High-pass and low-pass filters
• Compressor processing
• Gate processing
• Delay control
• FX routing and sends

This gives the user detailed control over microphones, instruments, playback devices, and other audio sources.

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Recording & Playback Capabilities

The Allen & Heath CQ-18T includes powerful recording and playback features that make it suitable for live performances, rehearsals, podcasts, studios, and content creation.

Supported recording options include:

• Multitrack recording directly to SD card
• USB multichannel audio interface (24 inputs / 22 outputs)
• Stereo USB recording and playback
• Playback from USB storage devices
• Bluetooth stereo audio streaming

These features allow complete live recording without requiring additional external hardware, making the CQ-18T ideal for mobile engineers and permanent installations alike.

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Control Interface

The mixer combines physical controls with an intuitive touchscreen interface for fast operation.

• 7-inch capacitive touchscreen
• High-precision rotary encoder
• Fast touchscreen navigation
• Remote control via Windows, macOS, Android and iOS applications
• Integrated Wi-Fi for wireless control

Whether mixing from the console or remotely using a tablet, the CQ-18T provides an efficient workflow suitable for both beginners and professional engineers.

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Connectivity & Inputs / Outputs

The Allen & Heath CQ-18T offers flexible connectivity for a wide range of professional audio systems.

• 8 XLR microphone inputs
• 8 XLR/TRS combo microphone or line inputs
• 2 stereo line inputs
• Main stereo XLR outputs
• 6 TRS auxiliary outputs
• Stereo headphone output
• USB-A connection
• USB-B multichannel audio interface
• SD card slot
• Ethernet networking port
• Built-in Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth audio input

This wide range of connections allows the mixer to integrate easily into professional PA systems, recording studios, churches, conference halls and broadcast environments.

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Professional DSP Processing

Every channel benefits from Allen & Heath’s advanced DSP processing, allowing users to achieve polished mixes without requiring external processors.

Processing includes:

• 4-band fully parametric EQ
• High-pass filters
• Low-pass filters
• Compressor
• Gate
• Delay
• Professional FX engines
• Flexible routing
• Scene recall

Because processing happens internally at 96kHz, the CQ-18T maintains exceptional clarity while minimizing latency.

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Sound Quality & Performance

Allen & Heath is well known for delivering transparent, musical sound quality, and the CQ-18T continues this reputation.

Main performance highlights include:

• 96kHz audio engine
• Ultra-low latency under 0.7ms
• Very low noise floor
• Wide dynamic range
• Excellent phase accuracy
• Professional-grade microphone preamps
• High headroom

These specifications make the mixer suitable for demanding live productions, corporate presentations, worship environments, streaming, podcast production and studio recording.

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Technical Specifications

• Product Type: Digital Mixing Console
• Audio Engine: 96kHz DSP
• Total Inputs: 18
• Output Mixes: 6
• Touchscreen: 7-inch Capacitive Display
• USB Audio: 24 In / 22 Out
• Recording: SD Card Multitrack Recording
• Bluetooth: Stereo Audio Input
• Wireless: Built-in Wi-Fi
• Latency: Less than 0.7 ms
• Processing: EQ, Gate, Compressor, Delay and FX
• Remote Control: Windows, macOS, Android & iOS
• Main Outputs: Stereo XLR
• Aux Outputs: 6 TRS Outputs

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Ideal Applications

The Allen & Heath CQ-18T is designed to perform across a wide variety of professional audio environments while remaining compact enough for portable use.

It is an excellent solution for:

• Live bands and musicians
• Churches and houses of worship
• Corporate presentations
• Conference rooms
• Education facilities
• Recording studios
• Podcast production
• Broadcast applications
• Content creators and streamers
• Mobile sound engineers
• Rental companies
• Portable PA systems

Its compact dimensions, intelligent setup tools and professional DSP make it suitable for both experienced engineers and users transitioning from analog mixers.

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Why Choose the Allen & Heath CQ-18T?

Unlike many compact digital mixers, the CQ-18T focuses on delivering professional sound quality together with an intuitive workflow. Instead of spending valuable time configuring complicated menus, users can take advantage of the Smart Assist tools to reach an excellent starting point within minutes.

The combination of 96kHz processing, multitrack recording, integrated wireless control, USB audio interface and powerful DSP allows one compact mixer to replace multiple external devices while maintaining Allen & Heath’s renowned audio performance.

Whether you’re mixing live concerts, corporate events, podcasts or studio sessions, the CQ-18T provides reliability, flexibility and outstanding sound quality.

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Technical Datasheets

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Conclusion

The Allen & Heath CQ-18T is a modern professional digital mixer that combines exceptional sound quality, intelligent workflow, and advanced recording capabilities into a compact and portable design.

Featuring an ultra-low latency 96kHz DSP engine, Smart Assist technology, built-in multitrack recording, USB audio interface functionality, wireless control, Bluetooth audio streaming, and professional signal processing, the CQ-18T delivers outstanding performance for live sound, recording studios, content creators, houses of worship, educational facilities, corporate venues, and mobile audio professionals.

Whether you’re replacing an analog mixer or upgrading your digital workflow, the CQ-18T provides the flexibility, reliability, and premium audio quality that Allen & Heath is known for worldwide.

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Why Buy the Allen & Heath CQ-18T from Lux Audio?

• Authorized Allen & Heath dealer in Lebanon
• 100% genuine products with official warranty
• Professional consultation before your purchase
• Expert advice for live sound, studio, and installation projects
• Fast delivery across Lebanon
• International shipping available upon request
• Dedicated after-sales support and technical assistance

At Lux Audio, we help musicians, sound engineers, rental companies, installers, churches, and commercial venues choose the right professional audio equipment with confidence.

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