Product Overview The QSC Core 8 Flex is a compact Q-SYS audio, video, and control (AV&C) processor for commercial installations that need both networked and analog I/O in a rack-efficient form factor. It combines 64x64 Q-LAN/AES67 networked audio with eight software-definable Flex I/O channels and 16 GPIO, making it ideal for spaces that still rely on analog microphones, local sources, or contact-closure control alongside a modern networked AV infrastructure. With eight channels of onboard acoustic echo cancellation and native USB AV bridging, the Core 8 Flex is well suited to web-conference-enabled meeting rooms across corporate, higher education, and healthcare environments. Product Description The Core 8 Flex extends the Q-SYS Ecosystem into smaller-scale rooms while preserving the platform's software-driven design workflow. It delivers 64x64 networked audio channels over standard gigabit Ethernet, eight channels of acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) for clear conferencing, and software-based Dante starting at 8x8 and scaling to 32x32. Its eight Flex channels are user-configurable as analog audio inputs or outputs with phantom power (+12 VDC) on inputs, and eight GPIO outputs (open-collector, 24 V, 0.2 A max) plus eight GPIO inputs (0-24 V analog or contact closure) bring legacy devices and control signals into the system. Native USB integration bridges 8x8 audio and video with all major web-conferencing applications, with Q-SYS camera support, enabling full room UC deployment. Dual LAN A/B gigabit ports, two RS-232 COM ports, and a USB-C 3.1 host/device/DisplayPort connection round out the rear panel. Because the Core 8 Flex runs the same Q-SYS Designer Software used across the entire Core portfolio, design files and programming carry forward as a system grows, and optional Capacity Scaling Licenses expand processing power, network channel count, AEC channels, softphones, and NM Series microphone support. For network-only rooms, compare the QSC Core Nano. Key Features 64x64 networked audio — Q-LAN/AES67 transport over standard gigabit Ethernet. Eight Flex I/O channels — Software-definable as analog inputs or outputs, with +12 VDC phantom power on inputs. Eight channels of AEC — Onboard acoustic echo cancellation for clear conferencing audio. Native USB AV bridging — 8x8 audio plus video integration and Q-SYS camera support for all major web-conferencing platforms. Software-based Dante — 8x8 included, expandable to 32x32 for interoperability with networked devices. 16 GPIO — Eight open-collector outputs and eight inputs for contact-closure and analog control integration. Dual LAN and RS-232 — LAN A/B gigabit ports and two RS-232 COM ports for resilient networking and device control. Q-SYS Designer platform — Shared design files and workflow across the Core portfolio, with optional Capacity Scaling Licenses. Typical Applications Conference room — UC-enabled audio with eight-channel AEC and USB bridging. Boardroom — Networked and analog I/O for premium meeting spaces. Huddle room — Compact processing for smaller collaboration spaces. Training room — Program audio, microphones, and control from one processor. Commercial meeting space — Scalable AV&C across corporate and education facilities. Technical Specifications Type Q-SYS audio, video & control (AV&C) processor Network Audio I/O 64 x 64 Q-LAN / AES67 Flex I/O Channels 8, software-definable (+12 VDC phantom power on inputs) AEC Processors 8 channels Dante Software-based, 8 x 8 included (up to 32 x 32) USB AV Bridging 8 x 8 audio + video, Q-SYS camera support GPIO 8 outputs (open collector 24 V, 0.2 A) + 8 inputs (0-24 V / contact closure) Network Ports LAN A & LAN B, gigabit Ethernet Serial Control 2x RS-232 (3.5 mm, 3-position) USB Ports USB-C (3.1) host/device/DisplayPort Software Q-SYS Designer; optional Capacity Scaling Licenses Form Factor 1U half-width Specifications sourced from QSC. Refer to the official Core 8 Flex specification sheet for complete details. Competitor Comparison Criterion QSC Core 8 Flex Biamp TesiraFORTE X 400 Extron DMP 128 Plus AT I/O architecture 8 software-definable Flex analog channels plus 64x64 networked audio. Fixed analog mic/line I/O plus networked audio. Fixed 12x8 analog matrix with Dante on AT models. AEC 8 channels of AEC onboard. AEC included for conferencing. AEC on Plus models. USB / UC Native USB audio and video bridging with Q-SYS camera support. USB audio bridging; video handled separately. USB audio bridging; no native video. Networked audio Q-LAN, AES67, and software Dante (8x8 to 32x32). AVB native; Dante/AES67 via option. Dante/AES67 on AT models. Control engine Full Q-SYS control engine plus 16 GPIO and two RS-232 ports. Logic via Tesira or external control system. Requires external control processor. Scalability Capacity Scaling Licenses expand processing, channels, AEC, and softphones. Expandable via networked Tesira devices. Largely fixed; expand by adding units. Form factor 1U half-width. 1RU full-width. 1RU full-width. Competitor specifications are summarized at a feature level; verify current model details with each manufacturer before specifying. Frequently Asked Questions What makes the Core 8 Flex different from a network-only Core?It adds eight software-definable Flex analog I/O channels and 16 GPIO, so analog microphones, local sources, and contact-closure devices integrate alongside networked AV. Does it support web conferencing?Yes. It provides eight channels of AEC and native USB AV bridging compatible with all major web-conferencing applications, with Q-SYS camera support. Can it scale as my system grows?Optional Q-SYS Capacity Scaling Licenses expand processing, network channels, AEC, softphones, and NM Series microphone capacity, and Q-SYS Designer files carry forward across the Core portfolio. How does it fit into a larger Q-SYS design?It runs the same Q-SYS Designer Software as every other Core, so it can be deployed as a room processor within a larger networked system. What about warranty and support?Refer to QSC warranty terms for coverage. For Q-SYS design and purchasing questions, contact Creation Networks support.
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