Live music streaming service Volume, founded during the pandemic as a way for musicians to continue performing and earning a living when live venues were shut down, has equipped one of its broadcast studios in Nashville with an Allen & Heath SQ-6 compact mixing console.
“The SQ does everything we need,” explains Volume business development manager Chris Austin, who also works as the production director. “We use the on-board effects, grouping, and customization — the console is so user-friendly. Even the default show file already sounds great.”
SQ series consoles offer 48 channels of 96 kHz digital processing along with 36 buses and eight stereo FX engines. It is one of three A&H console series built around the 96 kHz XCVI FPGA engine, joined by Avantis and dLive.
When multitrack recording is needed, Austin makes use of the SQ’s built-in 32-channel 96 kHz USB interface. “I hook up a laptop running Pro Tools and I can do full multitracking for the artists that want it,” he says. “Everything is super easy to set up and the artists gain deliverables that they can distribute to fans.”
Allen & Heath USA marketing director Jeff Hawley notes, “It continues to amaze me just how wide of a range of applications we see SQ show up as a key audio component. SQ is happy to tackle streaming, live mixing, multitrack USB, and whatever Volume throws at it without even breaking a sweat. This is a truly special partnership as the goal is so centered around supporting musicians and folks across the music industry. We’re proud to work with Chris and the extended Volume team!”
And as Volume grows, Austin hopes to expand into more areas of entertainment. “We’ve got boxing matches, comedy, and we’re looking to feature record producers giving lessons on mixing to an online audience.”
