Audio
Allen & Heath CQ Series troubleshooting
The Allen & Heath CQ Series problems live-event techs bring to Ask Roadie most (also called A&H CQ, A&H CQ-12T, A&H CQ-18T, A&H CQ-20B). Pick your symptom, or describe your own in plain words, and get the likeliest fix first, with the manual page when there is one.
Common CQ Series errors & problems
What techs run into most, and what's usually behind it. The step-by-step fix for your exact unit is in Ask Roadie.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
CQ Wi-Fi keeps dropping / app disconnects (built-in Wi-Fi, esp. 5GHz or crowded RF)
Likely cause: The onboard radio has limited range/antenna; an external AP gives a stronger, stable link.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
How to update CQ firmware by USB drive (no app needed)
Likely cause: CQ reads the update from a correctly-structured FAT drive; using the wrong model file or an unformatted drive is the usual cause of a failed/greyed-out update.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
How to use the recessed RESET button and what the LED colours mean
Likely cause: The single button is colour-coded so you can pick the scope of the reset without a screen - critical on the screenless CQ-20B.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Locked out of the mixer - forgot the CQ Wi-Fi password / cannot connect the app
Likely cause: The Blue (Wi-Fi-only) reset targets just the network credentials, so you regain access without losing scenes/config.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Multitrack SD recording setup and limits (rehearsal capture / virtual soundcheck)
Likely cause: Formatting in-mixer builds the required structure and a fast card sustains 16x96k throughput; knowing the 96k=16ch / 48k=all-ch limit prevents dropped tracks.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Update CQ firmware from the CQ-MixPad / CQ4You app
Likely cause: The app bundles the correct firmware image and pushes it, but the mixer must confirm; V1.2.2 fixed prior app-update reliability issues.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
USB audio sounds crushed / bitcrushed / distorted when streaming to a computer
Likely cause: Bitcrushed artefacts come from the host resampling or running a different rate than the mixer; locking both ends to one rate removes the mismatch.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
USB streaming to a Mac/DAW stops after running a while
Likely cause: Toggling the rate forces the USB audio class stream to renegotiate; the V1.2.2 fix and a clean cable path address the underlying dropouts.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
What are the CQ models and core specs? (CQ-12T vs CQ-18T vs CQ-20B)
Likely cause: Establishes the baseline the whole family shares so techs pick the right box and know channel/IO limits.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
What V1.2 firmware added - features a tech should know exist
Likely cause: These features only exist post-V1.2, so a tech on old firmware will wrongly think the desk cannot do DCAs/mute groups - updating unlocks them.
Not on the list? Describe it your way, or paste the error code off the display. Ask Roadie works the problem with you until it's fixed or you have a clear next move.
How Ask Roadie helps with the CQ Series
- 1. Pick the Allen & Heath CQ Series. It's already in the list.
- 2. Describe what you're seeing. In your own words, or the error code off the screen.
- 3. Get the likeliest fix first. Steps in order, the manual page when there is one, and a note when other techs have confirmed it.
- 4. Still broken? Tap 👎 and it keeps going from where you left off.