Why Q-SYS Plugins?

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If you are familiar with Q-SYS, you have probably heard the term “plugin” more than a few times. And while we use the word often, there is usually some confusion about what a plugin does and why they are an integral part of the Q-SYS Ecosystem. So let’s dive right in!

Q-SYS is built around a standards-based IT architecture that enables an entire Ecosystem of third-party integrations developed by Q-SYS Partners and a worldwide community of Q-SYS programmers and developers utilizing a set of development tools that we call “Q-SYS Open”.  These integrations are often driven by plugins, which allow anyone working in Q-SYS Designer Software to connect, configure and control a wide range of third-party devices without the need to write any code.

Let’s look at an example! Sennheiser, a longtime Q-SYS Partner, developed a Q-SYS Plugin that simplifies integration of their TeamConnect Ceiling 2 network microphone into Q-SYS. The plugin allows for configuration of the microphone within the Q-SYS environment, removing the need to open up a separate piece of software. Additionally, integrators can drag-and-drop any of the controls (Figure 1) to a Q-SYS user control interface without any programming. Easy!

Figure 1

Benefits extend to the end user as well. By adding the relevant controls to a Q-SYS touchscreen, the end user can control microphone parameters from the same user control interface as the rest of their AV system. The plugin also provides real-time vertical and horizontal pickup data which can be used to enable other Q-SYS Plugins for even deeper integration.

Q-SYS as an Ecosystem

Q-SYS Plugins aren’t just one-and-done solutions for specific products. They are developed to enable the entire Q-SYS Ecosystem, integrating with both Q-SYS Products and third-party devices. The Sennheiser plugin mentioned earlier is a great example. Working in tandem with the Q-SYS Automatic Camera Preset Recall plugin, Q-SYS is able to pull horizontal and vertical angle data from the Sennheiser microphone and use that to recall specific Q-SYS camera presets based on a talker’s location within the room. Together this results in a ‘value-add’ experience for the end-user that is made much simpler for the integrator through the use of plugins, and this is just one example. 

We offer a growing library of Q-SYS Plugins that are intended to simplify integration of common third-party devices into Q-SYS for a broad range of applications. Plugins are available for download through Asset Manager within Q-SYS Designer Software.

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Emily Eicher

Ecosystem Product Manager
Emily is the Ecosystem Product Manager on the Alliances and Ecosystem team. She has an integration background, but originally came from live sound. Emily graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's degree in Performing Arts Technology. She has two of the best good boys in the world, her dogs Bo and Emmett and lives in Boulder, Colorado with her partner Daniel (also a Q-SYS programmer.)