Allen & Heath CQ-20B

The Allen & Heath CQ-20B is an ultra-compact digital mixer in a stagebox format, built to sit on stage while you mix wirelessly from a tablet anywhere in the room. It shares the CQ series’ 96 kHz FPGA engine and smart assistants, adds 16 mic/line preamps and six XLR monitor outputs, and includes built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and SD/USB recording. It’s ideal for bands, small venues, AV rental, and anyone who wants a clean stage-to-FOH setup without a snake.

Highlights

• 16 mic/line preamps (8 XLR, 8 XLR/TRS combo) plus 2 stereo line inputs
• XLR main outputs, 6 XLR monitor mixes, and a stereo TRS line output
• Screenless design; mix from a tablet over built-in dual-band Wi-Fi
• Gain Assistant, Feedback Assistant, 4 FX Assist engines, and AMM
• Multitrack recording to SD card or USB; stereo Bluetooth playback
• Stagebox format with internal power supply; optional 4U rack kit

Allen & Heath CQ-20B: Mix From Anywhere

The CQ-20B has no screen. Instead, it’s designed for wireless control from CQ MixPad on a Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS device. Keep the mixer on stage beside the band, run short cables to it, and walk the room while you mix. Quick Channels apply instrument- and application-specific processing with one control, while Complete Channels expose full EQ, compression, and gating on every input.

Smart Assistants for Faster Mixing

Gain Assistant automatically sets and watches preamp gain. Feedback Assistant finds and removes feedback frequencies at setup and keeps watching every output during the show. The FX Assist engines’ signal-conscious reverb and delay respond to the signal to sit correctly in the mix, and the Automatic Mic Mixer keeps speech clear on every input.

Setting Up the CQ-20B

Place the CQ-20B on stage or rack-mount it with the optional rack kit, and connect it with the supplied IEC power cord. Plug microphones and instruments into the 16 preamps, connect the XLR mains to your PA, and connect the six XLR mix outputs to wedges or in-ear transmitters. Join a tablet to the built-in Wi-Fi, open CQ MixPad, and run Gain Assistant and Feedback Assistant.

What to Pair With the CQ-20B

Pair the CQ-20B with a tablet for CQ MixPad, powered speakers and stage monitors, vocal and instrument microphones, an in-ear monitor system, a rack case, and a high-speed SD card.

Recording and Streaming

Record multitrack directly to an SD card, or connect over USB-B to record and stream with your DAW. Stereo USB and Bluetooth playback each have dedicated input channels for walk-in music and backing tracks.

Personal Monitor Mixing

With six XLR mix outputs and the free CQ4You app, each performer can adjust only their own monitor mix from a phone, so the engineer can focus on the house sound. Dual footswitch inputs give hands-free control of functions like FX mute or playback.

CQ-20B vs. CQ-18T

Both share the same 16-preamp engine. The CQ-18T has a built-in 7-inch touchscreen for hands-on mixing, while the CQ-20B removes the screen and adds XLR mix outputs, a second stereo input, and a stagebox form factor for wireless mixing.

Allen & Heath CQ-20B FAQ

How do I control it without a screen? Use the free CQ MixPad app on a tablet or computer over the built-in Wi-Fi.

Can it be rack mounted? Yes, with the optional CQ20B-RK19 rack ear kit, which takes 4U of rack space.

Allen & Heath CQ-20B Specifications at a Glance

• Inputs: 16 mic/line (8 XLR, 8 combo), 2 stereo line (4 x TRS)
• Outputs: 2 XLR main, 6 XLR mix, stereo TRS line, headphone
• Processing: 96 kHz FPGA, 4 FX Assist engines
• Recording: SD card and USB-B interface
• Wireless: dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth playback
• Control: CQ MixPad and CQ4You apps
• Power: internal supply, IEC cord

Who Buys the Allen & Heath CQ-20B

• Bands that mix from the stage
• AV rental companies
• Small venues and churches
• Corporate event producers

Why Buy the Allen & Heath CQ-20B From Metro Sound & Lighting

Metro Sound & Lighting isn’t a catalog-only retailer. We design, install, and service sound systems in-house, so our team can set up your CQ-20B and support your system after the sale. We offer B2B and integrator pricing for churches, schools, and venues.

Browse more options in our Digital Mixers category, or see the full specifications on the official Allen & Heath CQ-20B product page.