Allen & Heath CQ-18T Compact 18-Channel Digital Mixer with Touchscreen

Compact Digital Mixer with Touchscreen, Wi-Fi, USB, SD, and Bluetooth Audio

The Allen & Heath CQ-18T Compact 18-Channel Digital Mixer with Touchscreen is an ultra-compact digital mixer designed for bands, producers, AV rental houses, small venues, and production teams that need professional mixing, recording, and playback tools in a portable desktop format.

Built with 96 kHz FPGA processing, the CQ-18T provides 16 mic/line inputs, a balanced stereo line input, two XLR main outputs, six monitor mix outputs, and two assignable headphone outputs. It also supports 24 input and 22 output USB-B audio interface operation, 24 input and 22 output SD recording and playback, stereo USB recording and playback, and stereo Bluetooth playback.

The 7-inch capacitive touchscreen, Smart Rotaries, Custom Softkeys, and built-in dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz AC Wi-Fi give engineers a fast, modern control surface for live sound, recording, streaming, and installed audio work. Remote control is supported through CQ-MixPad for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, while CQ4You lets performers adjust their own monitor mix.

Smart processing tools including Gain Assistant, Feedback Assistant, FX Assist engines, Quick Channels, Complete Channels, and Automatic Mic Mixer help speed up setup and improve consistency in real production environments, especially when fast turnaround and clean speech intelligibility matter.

Key Features

• Compact 18-channel digital mixer with 7-inch capacitive touchscreen
• 96 kHz FPGA processing engine for professional digital mixing
• 16 mic/line preamps with 8 XLR inputs and 8 combo XLR/TRS inputs
• Balanced stereo line input on two 1/4-inch TRS connectors
• 24 input and 22 output USB-B audio interface
• 24 input and 22 output SD recording and playback

Professional Applications

• Live sound mixing for small venues and portable systems
• Band rehearsal, performance, and monitor mixing
• AV rental and compact production setups
• USB and SD multitrack recording workflows
• Speech, presentation, and streaming audio control

System Integration

The Allen & Heath CQ-18T fits into compact professional audio systems as a main mixer for small venues or as a sub mixer on a larger stage. Its local analog inputs and outputs, USB-B interface, SD recording and playback, stereo USB audio, Bluetooth playback, built-in Wi-Fi, and remote app support make it a flexible control hub for live, recording, and portable AV environments.

Broadcast Workflow Benefits

For broadcast-style speech, streaming, and presentation workflows, the CQ-18T offers Automatic Mic Mixer operation on every input to help improve clarity and reduce background noise. Feedback Assistant, Gain Assistant, and touchscreen control also help operators set up faster, manage changing input levels, and maintain cleaner audio during live productions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many inputs does the Allen & Heath CQ-18T have?

The CQ-18T provides 16 mic/line inputs and a balanced stereo line input on two 1/4-inch TRS connectors.

Does the CQ-18T have a touchscreen?

Yes. The mixer includes a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen with an associated rotary control for navigating and controlling the mix engine.

Can the CQ-18T record multitrack audio?

Yes. The mixer supports 24 input and 22 output SD recording and playback, as well as 24 input and 22 output USB-B audio interface operation.

Does the CQ-18T support wireless control?

Yes. The mixer has built-in dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz AC Wi-Fi and supports remote control with CQ-MixPad for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.

Can performers control their own monitor mix?

Yes. CQ4You allows performers to adjust only their own mix so they can hear what they need during a performance or production.

Related Equipment and Workflow Compatibility

The CQ-18T is used with Allen & Heath CQ remote control apps including CQ-MixPad and CQ4You. It also supports production workflows that use USB-B audio, SD card recording and playback, USB stereo recording and playback, Bluetooth playback, main XLR outputs, monitor mix outputs, and assignable headphone outputs.

For installation or mobile production use, the mixer is rack mountable with non-included hardware and can be used as a compact control solution where touchscreen operation, remote app access, multitrack recording, and flexible local audio I/O are required.

Why Professionals Use This Type of Product

• Compact digital mixing for live sound and portable production
• Touchscreen control for fast setup and operation
• USB and SD recording tools for capture and playback
• Built-in Wi-Fi for remote mixer control
• Smart processing tools that help streamline speech and music mixing

Additional Compatibility Information

The Allen & Heath CQ-18T compact digital mixer is a strong fit for buyers searching for an 18-channel digital mixer, touchscreen audio mixer, USB audio interface mixer, SD recording mixer, Bluetooth playback mixer, Wi-Fi controlled mixer, or portable live sound mixer for professional audio, AV rental, small venue, streaming, and production applications.