No, we don't use any
system processing of any kind except for an EQ and a
compressor.
Are you sure there is not any signal processing in a rack somewhere or integrated into the amplifiers? I will often provide basic processing such as an EQ and
compressor at
FOH that operators can adjust for 'artistic' use but the actual
system processing is in a rack where only authorized personnel can access it.
The director's idea with the PM1D is that we would use its onboard processing as the
system processor; each of those zones calls for a special mix because of how the church is set up. The choir and instruments are set on the left side with nothing on the right side. Fill zones far away on the right side would get significantly more music in the speakers than the zones on the left side, for example. Each
amplifier would be connected to its own matrix mix. We would then use one DCA that every input is assigned to for master volume control.
Typically, the issues you are talking about are exactly what the
system processor would
address, taking the basic mix components from the
console and mixing, routing and processing them to create the different signals required for the
speaker system. Unlike touring systems, with installed systems there are limited situations where the
speaker system itself needs to change on a regular basis, thus it is usually configured and adjusted for the room and use and then not changed, in fact it is common to make it where typical users cannot make changes to the basic
system routing and processing. Basically, let the
mixer be used for the things that are changed and/or adjusted on a regular basis and let a
system processor handle all the processing, mixing, routing,
etc. related to the portions of the
system that do not change. Using your example, you would use matrix sends to create different left and right side fills, but once that is done would those matrix mixes then normally be left alone? What if you instead took the same mix buses feeding the
console matrix, or at least the ones required, and ran those to a
system processor where you then performed all of the mixing, processing and routing that would not need to change?
Perhaps your Director is not familiar with installed systems or at least the
system processors used in such systems. Modern matrix
system processors are extremely powerful and flexible. The virtual 'devices' available in matrix
DSP units often include mixers (simple mixers, matrix mixers, automixers and so on), routing devices (matrix routers, combiners, distribution amplifiers), dynamics processing (limiters, compressors, expanders, gates,
etc.), a variety of
equalizer and filter options, presets and remote controls and so on. Some processors are 'open architecture', meaning that you can freely use and connect any of the virtual devices available as you see fit, not only allowing you to create processing that is specific to your
system and use but also to create more advanced virtual processing devices by combining component devices, for example creating a multi-band
compressor by using multiple band pass filters and compressors then combining that multi-band
compressor with
gain control, high pass filtering, EQ, de-essing,
etc. to create a vocal
processor device. Some matrix
DSP processors can also be linked together or with expansion units to create larger I/O count devices.
The processing capability and flexibility of such
system processors is usually well beyond what is available for digital
console outputs and can keep processing such as crossovers, limiters used to protect the
speaker systems and so on away from people who do not need to access or adjust them. It sounds as though it may be a good idea to get someone involved who has expertise and experience with designing and installing installed audio systems, they may be able to offer some ideas and suggestions that could be beneficial.
Added: Just to give an example of what you can potentially do with a matrix
system processor, imagine a
LCR system with underbalcony fills. Take the
LCR signals out of the
console into the
system processor and you can process those signals to the left, center and right speakers. But you can also create a mix for each underbalcony fill
speaker that has not only the relative levels of the left, center and right signals that would occur naturally at that
speaker location, but also the delay and
frequency response that would be related for each of the three component signals. Take the each of the three signals (left, center and right) and delay and EQ it appropriately, then run those three signals into a
mixer and adjust their relative
level. Now do that independently for each underbalcony fill
speaker. That is relatively simple processing for a matrix
DSP box but beyond the capabilities of the processing in many digital consoles.