Allen & Heath CQ18T

The Allen & Heath CQ-18T is a compact digital mixer for bands, small venues, houses of worship, AV rental, and recording, packing 16 mic/line preamps and a 7-inch touchscreen into a desktop frame. Its 96 kHz FPGA processing engine and smart assistants for gain, feedback, and effects help you get a great mix fast, and built-in dual-band Wi-Fi lets you mix wirelessly from a tablet anywhere in the room. Use it as a main mixer for a small venue or as a sub mixer on a larger stage.

Highlights

• 16 mic/line preamps (8 XLR, 8 XLR/TRS combo) plus a stereo line input
• XLR main outputs, 6 TRS monitor mixes, and 2 headphone outputs
• 96 kHz FPGA processing with 4 FX Assist engines
• Gain Assistant, Feedback Assistant, and Automatic Mic Mixer
• Multitrack recording to SD card or USB; stereo Bluetooth playback
• Built-in dual-band Wi-Fi for CQ MixPad and CQ4You apps

Allen & Heath CQ-18T: More Inputs, Same Easy Workflow

The CQ-18T steps up from the CQ-12T with 16 preamps, four FX engines, two headphone outputs, three Smart Rotaries, and built-in Wi-Fi. Quick Channels dial in instrument- and application-specific processing with a single knob, while Complete Channels expose full EQ, compression, and gating on every input. The 7-inch capacitive touchscreen and its associated rotary make navigation fast.

Smart Assistants for Faster Mixing

Gain Assistant automatically sets preamp gain and watches for peaks during the show. Feedback Assistant removes feedback frequencies at setup in Fixed mode, then monitors every output in Live mode. Signal-conscious reverb and delay in the FX Assist engines 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-18T

Connect microphones and instruments to the 16 preamps and a stereo source to the line input. Patch the XLR mains to your PA and the six monitor outputs to wedges or in-ear transmitters. Run Gain Assistant, then Feedback Assistant, and load Quick Channel presets. Connect a tablet over the built-in Wi-Fi to mix from the room with CQ MixPad.

What to Pair With the CQ-18T

Pair the CQ-18T with powered speakers and stage monitors, vocal and instrument microphones, an in-ear monitor system, a high-speed SD card, a tablet for CQ MixPad, and a padded case for transport.

Recording and Streaming

Record multitrack straight to an SD card without a computer, or connect over USB-B for DAW recording and live streaming. The USB interface runs 24×22 at 48 kHz or 16×16 at 96 kHz. Stereo USB and Bluetooth playback each get a dedicated input channel for walk-in music and backing tracks.

Wireless Mixing Built In

Dual-band 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi with auto channel select means no external router is needed. CQ MixPad gives the engineer full control from Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS, and CQ4You lets each performer adjust only their own monitor mix. Three custom SoftKeys and dual footswitch inputs add hands-on shortcuts.

CQ-18T vs. CQ-20B

Both mixers share the same 16-preamp engine. The CQ-18T has a built-in touchscreen for hands-on mixing at a desk or FOH, while the CQ-20B is a screenless stagebox for wireless tablet mixing from the stage.

Allen & Heath CQ-18T FAQ

Does it need a router for wireless control? No. It has built-in dual-band Wi-Fi.

Can it record without a computer? Yes. It records multitrack directly to an SD card.

Allen & Heath CQ-18T Specifications at a Glance

• Inputs: 16 mic/line (8 XLR, 8 combo), 1 stereo line (2 x TRS)
• Outputs: 2 XLR main, 6 TRS monitor, 2 headphone
• Processing: 96 kHz FPGA, 4 FX Assist engines
• USB interface: 24×22 at 48 kHz, 16×16 at 96 kHz
• Recording: SD card multitrack
• Wireless: dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth playback
• Display: 7-inch capacitive touchscreen
• Size and weight: 13.6 x 9.5 x 3.5 in; 6.6 lbs

Who Buys the Allen & Heath CQ-18T

• Bands and musicians
• Small venues and bars
• Churches and schools
• AV rental companies

Why Buy the Allen & Heath CQ-18T 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-18T 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-18T product page.