Allen & Heath SQ-WAVES3

A Network Extension Designed for the SQ and AHM Ecosystem

The SQ Waves SoundGrid 3 is part of the family of Allen & Heath expansion cards designed to open up the I/O port of SQ consoles to dedicated network audio protocols. The goal here is clear: to provide a complete SoundGrid gateway without changing the mixing habits established on the main console. This card places an SQ or AHM in a professional Waves environment, with a bidirectional 64x64 connection that can operate at both 48 kHz and 96 kHz.

The “3” designation refers to the current generation of this interface within the Allen & Heath ecosystem. For users, this primarily means updated SoundGrid integration for the processing, recording and audio distribution workflows expected from the brand’s latest systems. This card does not replace the console’s internal capabilities: it extends them to a network dedicated to external processing and audio transport.

Which Setups Is This Card Ideal For?

This card is primarily aimed at live sound engineers, production companies, houses of worship, performance venues and fixed installations looking to integrate the Waves ecosystem around an SQ. It is particularly relevant if you want to insert Waves plugins into your mix chain, prepare a realistic virtual soundcheck, or capture a clean multitrack feed to a computer or other SoundGrid-compatible devices.

In a production context, it is also suitable for users looking for a more flexible solution than simple stereo or local multitrack USB recording. In practice, the SQ Waves SoundGrid 3 becomes a true bridge between the console and an audio network capable of handling remote processing, signal sharing and advanced computer integration. It is a relevant solution whenever patch stability, low latency and routing flexibility become priorities.

A SoundGrid Gateway Designed for Processing, Recording and Virtual Soundcheck

Waves Processing and Controlled Latency

One of the main benefits of this card is that it opens access to the Waves SoundGrid world directly from an SQ. You can therefore use a SoundGrid server and Waves plugins in a setup designed for live applications, with controlled latency and full bidirectional routing. For engineers who want to access dynamics processing, specialized EQs or spatialization and correction tools in a robust network environment, this is a particularly coherent extension.

Multitrack Recording and Virtual Soundcheck

The card also allows the SoundGrid network to be used for multitrack recording at 48 kHz or 96 kHz, as well as for virtual soundcheck. This is a practical advantage for rehearsing a mix without the musicians on stage, fine-tuning processing, or training a technical team on a real show. In a well-designed workflow, a computer can also serve as a 64x64 audio interface over Ethernet within the SoundGrid environment.

Network, Patching and Synchronization

In terms of integration, the SQ Waves SoundGrid 3 uses standard Cat5e Ethernet cabling and can be deployed within a network infrastructure with switches and VLANs, depending on the chosen SoundGrid architecture. Audio patching between the SQ engine and the card is handled through the console’s I/O port, while signal distribution to other devices is managed in Waves software. In terms of clocking, the setup can use the console’s internal clock or synchronize from the card, depending on the deployment scenario. Finally, note that the internal network bridge is used for control, not for the main audio transport, which must remain connected directly to the card’s ports.

Technical specifications

Number of channels	2	Category	recording accessory
Sampling frequency	48 kHz	Type	card
Limiter	No	Color	Black
Location markers	No

Generation reference	Waves SoundGrid 3.	On SQ consoles, minimum required firmware	V1.3 or higher.
Supported protocol	Waves SoundGrid.