SQ7 48 Ch Digital Mixer and 2412 Stagebox

Hire Allen & Heath SQ7 Digital Mixer with AR2412 Stagebox

48 Channel Professional Mixing Console

The Allen & Heath SQ7 with AR2412 stagebox is Edwards NZ's primary high-performance digital mixing solution — a full 48-channel console with 32 motorised faders, 32 onboard preamps, and the same 96kHz FPGA processing engine used in touring and broadcast production worldwide. Combined with the AR2412 remote stagebox, the system provides 56 mic and line inputs: 32 from the console's own rear panel preamps and 24 from the AR2412 connected via a single Cat5e cable up to 100 metres from the stage. Hire code MXSQ7AR.

The SQ7 is the largest and most capable console in the Edwards digital mixer fleet. Thirty-two motorised faders across six assignable layers, 16 SoftKeys, 8 Soft Rotaries, 12 stereo mix buses, three stereo matrix outputs, eight stereo FX engines, and a 48-channel Automatic Mic Mixer — all controlled from the 7" colour touchscreen or remotely via the SQ MixPad app on iOS, Android, or macOS. Every input channel carries a full processing chain: high-pass filter, noise gate, compressor, four-band parametric EQ, and delay. The 32-fader surface means most live events run comfortably with minimal layer switching — what you see is what you get.

The AR2412 stagebox connects to the SQ7 via a single Cat5e STP cable with no audio snake required. Twenty-four XLR mic and line inputs and twelve XLR line outputs sit at the stage position, with all preamp gain and phantom power controlled remotely from the console. The stagebox is powered entirely from the Cat5e connection — no mains feed needed at the stage end. Connection is automatic and firmware updates run without intervention.

Multi-track USB recording is built in — up to 32 channels simultaneously at 48kHz to a USB drive or directly into a connected computer. The SQ7 is class-compliant on macOS as a 32×32 USB audio interface with no driver installation required, making it a clean solution for events combining live mixing with broadcast or streaming output.

What is included:

• Allen & Heath SQ7 48-channel digital mixing console
• Allen & Heath AR2412 24×12 remote stagebox
• Cat5e STP connection cable
• IEC mains cable
• USB drive with Edwards standard show file

Specifications at a glance:

• 48 processing channels
• 32 onboard mic/line preamps + 24 via AR2412 = 56 total inputs
• 32 motorised faders across 6 assignable layers (192 total strip positions)
• 12 stereo mix buses plus LR main and 3 stereo matrix outputs
• 96kHz XCVI FPGA engine, under 0.7ms latency
• 8 stereo FX engines
• 16 SoftKeys, 8 Soft Rotaries
• 48-channel Automatic Mic Mixer
• 32×32 USB multi-track recording at 48kHz — class-compliant macOS
• 16 local XLR outputs on rear panel
• Remote control via SQ MixPad app
• AR2412 stagebox: 24 XLR inputs, 12 XLR outputs, Cat5e connected, up to 100m
• Weight: 17.7kg console, 4.5kg stagebox

Ideal for: Large corporate conferences and gala dinners, live bands and corporate concerts, theatre productions and performing arts, broadcast and streaming events, awards nights and major product launches, any event where a full 32-fader surface and maximum input count is required. The primary Edwards mixer recommendation for large-scale professional events alongside the EVENT28-3 through EVENT28-7 line array packages.

Available for self-collection or delivery and setup by an Edwards technician.

Frequently Asked Questions — Allen & Heath SQ7 + AR2412 Hire

What is the difference between the SQ7 and the SQ5?

Both consoles run identical audio processing — same 96kHz FPGA engine, same 48 channel count, same per-channel processing chain, same FX engines, same buses, same touchscreen interface, same USB recording capability. The SQ7 has 32 motorised faders where the SQ5 has 16, 32 onboard preamps versus 16, 16 local outputs versus 12, 16 SoftKeys versus 8, and 8 Soft Rotaries which the SQ5 does not have. The SQ7 also provides 56 total inputs with the AR2412 versus 40 on the SQ5. For events with large input counts, live bands, or operators who prefer a one-fader-per-channel workflow without layer switching, the SQ7 is the more comfortable and capable choice.

How many inputs does this system provide?

The SQ7 has 32 onboard XLR mic and line preamps on its rear panel. The AR2412 stagebox adds 24 XLR mic and line inputs remotely at the stage position. Combined total is 56 mic and line inputs — the highest input count available in the Edwards hire fleet from a single console and stagebox combination. The console processes 48 channels with the remaining capacity available for USB playback, FX returns, and internal routing.

How far can the stagebox be from the console?

The AR2412 connects via a single Cat5e STP cable up to 100 metres. One cable carries all 24 inputs, 12 outputs, and power to the stagebox — no audio snake is required between stage and FOH. All preamp gain and phantom power is controlled from the console. The stagebox firmware updates automatically on connection without any manual intervention.

Does the AR2412 need its own mains power?

No. The AR2412 is powered entirely from the SQ7 via the Cat5e connection. No separate mains feed is needed at the stage position, which simplifies cable runs significantly for events where getting power to the stage is inconvenient or impractical.

Can it record the show?

Yes. The SQ7 records up to 32 channels simultaneously to a USB drive via the SQ-Drive port, or directly to a connected computer as a 32×32 USB audio interface at 48kHz. The console is class-compliant on macOS — no driver installation required. This makes it a clean option for events combining live mixing with broadcast output, podcasting, or multi-track recording for post-production.

Can I control it remotely from a tablet?

Yes. The SQ MixPad app for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows connects to the SQ7 via the onboard RJ45 network port. The app provides full remote control of channel processing, levels, routing, and scene recall — useful for events where the mix engineer needs to walk the room during soundcheck, or where a second operator is managing monitors from the stage while the FOH engineer controls the main mix.

Is this suitable for a live band?

Yes — the SQ7 with AR2412 is the standard Edwards recommendation for live band work. Thirty-two physical faders cover most live band input counts without layer switching, the eight FX engines handle the full effects complement a band requires, and the 56-input capacity covers even large band configurations with room to spare for playback, effects returns, and talkback. For bands requiring monitor mixing as well as FOH, the SQ7 drives the AR2412 monitor outputs from the same console surface, or the ME personal monitoring system can be added for in-ear monitoring.

Does it have Automatic Mic Mixing for conferences?

Yes. The SQ7 includes two independent 48-channel Automatic Mic Mixers — combinable to cover all 48 input channels simultaneously. AMM automatically manages gain distribution across multiple open microphones, keeping the system stable and reducing operator workload during panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and multi-speaker conferences. It is one of the strongest features of the SQ platform for corporate conference work and removes the need for constant manual gain management when many microphones are open simultaneously.

What line array packages pair well with this mixer?

The SQ7 with AR2412 is the standard recommendation alongside the EVENT28-3, EVENT28-5, EVENT28-6, and EVENT28-7 line array packages — events at scale where a full 32-fader surface and maximum input count match the complexity of the production. For mid-size corporate events using the EVENT28-2, the SQ5 with AR2412 is a more appropriately scaled and cost-effective pairing.

Is delivery and setup available?

Yes. The SQ7 and AR2412 are available for self-collection or delivery and setup by an Edwards technician. For large events where the console will be operated by Edwards staff, we can quote full mixing services alongside the hire. Contact our hire team at (09) 571 0551 or hire@edwardsnz.co.nz to discuss your requirements.