Physical Controls

Keys –

All keys are labelled, and most illuminate to show when they are active. All perform specific functions, aside from the ‘SoftKeys’ which are user assignable.

Faders/Fader Screen –

There are 6 layers of assignable fader strips. For all inputs and FX returns, the fader controls the send level of this channel to the selected mix. FX Send, Main LR, Mix (Aux/Group) and Matrix faders control overall mix output levels. DCA faders affect the level of the DCA members, and MIDI faders send MIDI level messages. All fader strips can be taken over and used temporarily by the GEQ ‘Fader Flip’, 'CH TO ALL MIX' or 'DCA Spill' functions.

Rotary Encoders (Rotaries) –

These illuminate when active and are used to adjust various parameters. Some are dedicated to parameters for the currently selected channel or mix, though the SQ6+ and SQ7+ feature additional ‘Soft Rotaries’ which are user assignable and there is dedicated touchscreen encoder.

Touchscreen –

The touchscreen allows simple user interaction through on-screen buttons and menus. Parameters can also be selected on-screen and adjusted using the touchscreen rotary. When a parameter is selected, it will turn yellow on the screen, and the touchscreen rotary will illuminate to indicate it can be used to make adjustments.

Channel Types

Inputs – 48 input channels with processing. These can be sourced from local, remote or digital connections, and mixed to any output.

Main LR – This is the main mix. All post-fader modes and options follow this mix.

Mix –12 stereo mix channels with processing that can be used as either auxiliaries or groups.

FX Sends – 4 FX send buses are included for use with internal 'standard' FX engines. An additional 4 RackUltra FX buses are provided for use with the 4 RackUltra FX engines.

FX Returns – 12 dedicated stereo return channels for internal FX engines, 8 for the 'standard' FX engines and 4 for the RackUltra FX engines.

Matrix – 3 stereo or up to 6 mono matrix mixes, fed from a combination of other mixes.

DCA – 8 Digitally Controlled Amplifier’s for adjusting the level and mutes of multiple channels with one set of controls.

MIDI – 32 channels strips are available which send MIDI control data using MIDI over USB and TCP/IP.

ⓘ MIDI channel strips only send and respond to MIDI messages, their state is not stored with Scenes or Shows.

On-screen Parameters, Menus and Pop-ups

Adjustable parameters and selections – These are displayed as white text on a black background. Values are displayed as text as well as in a bar.

Libraries –

When available for the screen currently being viewed the ‘Library’ key illuminates. Pressing this displays a library window, allowing you to store or recall settings for things such as FX units, channel processing or input patches. Presets are stored in the Factory libraries, and User libraries are provided to store your own settings. Libraries are also used to load FX unit types, through recall of a preset.

ⓘ See the full list of library types in the Libraries section.

Menu lists –

With short lists, touch an option to select it. Longer lists can be navigated by touching and dragging, or by highlighting an option and using the touchscreen rotary to scroll through all available options. Where it is not possible to select a list item (as in user permissions lists) you may only touch and drag on screen.

An ‘X’ is displayed to the top right of most pop-up menus, touch this or outside of the pop-up to close it.

Keyboard –

An on-screen keyboard is displayed when entering names or numbers. Touch and hold ‘^’ (shift) to enable caps lock. Touch ‘Apply’ or ‘OK’ to set the name or number. Touch the ‘X’ at the top right of the keyboard to close it.

When entering hex characters, a hex-only keyboard is shown.

When entering a Channel Name, touch the colour button to choose a channel colour, which is applied instantly.

Confirmation –

Certain actions require confirmation. Where there is an option to apply or cancel changes, buttons will show as active on-screen. In some cases, a ‘pop-up’ with more information and choices will be displayed.

On-screen Title bar

The title bar is always visible at the top of the screen, from left to right it displays the following information:

• The currently selected channel.
• The last recalled (current) scene.
• The next scene to be recalled.
• An error/warning symbol when an error is detected (tap on this to see a pop-up window with information on the error).
• An I/O Port symbol that also indicates the currently fitted option card.
• The current SLink protocol being used (when an SLink connection has been made and is available).
• A USB symbol when a USB device is connected to the SQ-Drive port. This is replaced with transport symbols when using SQ-Drive for audio recording or playback.
• The currently selected mix.

Home Screen

This is the first screen shown when powering on the SQ+. It is also shown when no channels are selected, and ‘Processing’ or ‘Routing’ screen keys are active.

ⓘ Pressing the ‘Processing’ or ‘Routing’ screen keys in bank view will deselect the currently selected channel and return directly to the home screen.

‘Shut Down’ – Touch to shut down the SQ+.

‘Lock’ – Touch to lock the SQ+ surface and prevent surface controls from making adjustments.

‘Change User’ – Touch to change to another active user.

‘Brightness’ – Touch to go directly to the SQ+ brightness settings.

Diagnostics

To get to the diagnostics, press the ‘UTILITIES’ screen key, select ‘General’ on the left tabs and 'Diagnostics' on the top tabs. This displays important information about the SQ+, including the current IP address for connecting via TCP/IP, and the unique DNA code for registration and Add-Ons.

Basic Workflow Concepts

• Press an ‘LR’, ‘MIX’ or ‘FX’ key to display and adjust send levels from each channel to the selected Mix on the Fader Strips. Use the layer keys to move through the 6 layers of faders. The Mix strip controls the overall send level of the selected Mix/FX send.
• Select a channel by pressing a ‘SEL’ key or touching the channel strip in Processing, Routing or Faders screens. The dedicated physical controls can now be used to adjust parameters for the selected channel.
• Press 'MUTE' to completely mute a channel. Mute keys are illuminated or flash when a channel is muted.
• Use ‘PAFL‘ (Pre/After Fade Listen) keys to route a channel to the PAFL bus/Headphone output.
• Go to the ‘PROCESSING’ screen to see an overview of the processing for the selected strip. Touch on any part of the processing in a channel to see a detailed view, then touch parameters on-screen and use the touchscreen rotary to adjust.
• Mix sends set to ‘Post-Fade’ follow the LR send levels. To toggle channels between ‘Pre-Fade’ and ‘Post-Fade’ for the selected Mix, hold the ‘PRE FADE’ key and use ‘SEL’ keys, or use the ‘ROUTING’ screen.
• To assign or un-assign a channel from the currently selected mix, hold the ‘ASSIGN’ key and use ‘SEL’ keys, or use the ‘ROUTING’ screen.
• Pressing and holding the ‘CH TO ALL MIX’ key will display the send levels for the currently selected channel to all mixes across the main fader strips.
• Press the ‘FX’ screen key to view and adjust the FX engines. Use the ‘LIBRARY’ key to recall FX types and presets - change parameters by selecting them on-screen and using the touchscreen rotary. FX buses 1 to 4 send to standard FX engines 1 to 4 by default and RackUltra FX buses send to RackUltra FX engines 1-4. FX Return channels are routed to Mixes in the same way as input channels.
• Hold the ‘COPY’ key and press an ‘IN’ key, a ‘SEL’ key or a ‘MIX’ key, or use the on-screen overlays in the processing screen to copy parameters or sends. Hold the ‘PASTE’ key and press a ‘SEL’ key or Mix key to paste the processing or send assignments to another channel. Hold the ‘RESET’ key and press an ‘IN’ key, a ‘SEL’ key or a ‘MIX’ key to reset parameters.
• Press the ‘VEIW’ key to momentarily show alternative information on the channel strip and Soft Rotary LCD’s. Press multiple times to see different information and press and hold to display the information until the key is released.

Screens Reference