MSC Town Hall, the student-run concert programming committee at Texas A&M University, has made Allen & Heath’s CQ-18T digital mixer central to its audio work. The console is proving to be a game-changer for the organisation, which has been bringing entertainment to the university and surrounding communities since 1951.

Producing between ten and 15 shows each semester, MSC Town Hall manages everything from intimate coffee house performances to large-scale concerts featuring nationally recognised artists and local talent. The commitment to student involvement extends to every aspect of production, including sound engineering, handled by students.

Travis Whitaker, an executive in a Town Hall subcommittee, embodies this dedication. With a background in high school theatre tech, Whitaker was drawn to the CQ-18T’s intuitive design and advanced capabilities, notably its user-friendly interface, which allowed him to navigate the mixer and run a successful concert on his first attempt.

After familiarising himself with the console for a few hours, he took the time to access the CQ’s Complete channels, with full processing like parametric EQ, gates and compressors. ‘The CQ-18T is a powerful little thing,’ he says. ‘I was curious when I first saw it, wondering how much it could really do. Once I started exploring the system, I was truly amazed by its capabilities.’

Whitaker also appreciates the CQ’s built-in reverbs with FX Assist, which monitor incoming signals and make automatic changes to ensure the mix does not get overpowered. ‘The reverb was definitely easier to work with compared to other boards I’ve worked on,’ he says.

Integrated features, such as the automatic feedback assistant and comprehensive effects library, have not only streamlined Whitaker’s workflow but also simplified the training process for new student engineers. He emphasises the importance of hands-on learning, encouraging students to trust their ears and develop a deep understanding of how adjustments impact the overall audio experience.

MSC Town Hall’s commitment to fostering student growth within the music and entertainment industry, coupled with a dedication to showcasing both established and emerging talent, makes them a force on the Texas music scene.

‘The scale of what we can do fluctuates with funding and shifts in the industry itself,’ says MSC Town Hall Vice Chair, Jillian Weeks. ‘For the near future, we’ve really focused on platforming the up-and-coming local bands in Texas and surrounding states. I definitely see us growing as we continue to explore what we can bring to campus.’

The Allen & Heath CQ-18T has become an integral part of their mission, enabling students like Whitaker and Weeks to deliver exceptional live audio experiences to their audiences.

More: www.allen-heath.com