Allen & Heath SQ WAVES Expansion Module for Mixers

SQ Waves — Waves SoundGrid Networking for SQ and AHM Mixers

The Allen & Heath SQ Waves is an expansion card that adds Waves SoundGrid connectivity to any SQ or AHM digital mixer. Fitted into the mixer's I/O Port, it delivers a 64×64 channel interface at 96 kHz or 48 kHz for plugin processing, multitrack recording, virtual soundcheck and audio distribution. Engineers and installers can drop the card into an existing SQ or AHM-64 unit without rewiring the rest of the system, making it a focused upgrade for venues, houses of worship, broadcast rooms and touring rigs already running the Allen & Heath ecosystem.

What Sets the SQ Waves Apart

Unlike a generic USB audio interface, the SQ Waves is engineered specifically for the SQ and AHM I/O Port, inheriting the mixer's routing logic rather than appearing as an external soundcard. Two locking EtherCON ports and dual 96 kHz / 48 kHz operation let engineers trade headroom for channel count without changing hardware, while super-low-latency plugin hosting keeps existing Waves plug-ins running live without audible delay.

64×64 Channels at 96 kHz or 48 kHz

Channel count and sample rate decide whether a network card can carry a full live band to a recording rig. The 64×64 interface captures a complete multi-mic drum kit, full band line-up and playback returns for virtual soundcheck on one card.

• I/O Channels: 64 inputs / 64 outputs — captures a complete live band on one card
• Sample Rates: 96 kHz or 48 kHz — dual-rate design trades headroom for channel count without swapping hardware
• Network Protocol: Waves SoundGrid

Two Locking EtherCON Ports

The two EtherCON ports combine standard RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet with a locking shell that resists accidental disconnection during a show, while the same network path doubles as a 64-channel recording feed into a DAW for later mixdown.

• Ports: 2 × EtherCON (locking RJ45) — survive cable yanks on a live stage
• Network Type: Standard Gigabit Ethernet (Cat 5e / Cat 6)
• Form Factor: I/O Port expansion card — installs internally in any SQ or AHM-64 unit

Plugin Processing, Recording and Virtual Soundcheck

The card moves audio between mixer and SoundGrid server with minimal delay, so the same hardware handles both FOH plugin chains and studio multitrack capture. It drops into any SQ, SQ+ or AHM-64 unit without rewiring the rest of the system.

• Compatible Mixers: Allen & Heath SQ, SQ+ and AHM-64
• Primary Use Cases: Waves plugin processing, multitrack recording, virtual soundcheck, audio distribution — covers the full live-to-DAW workflow
• Manufacturer Part Number: AH-M-SQ-WAVES3-A