A couple of questions. Why are you running the centre
cluster as a left and right? It seems a
bit of an overkill. The
downstage and upstage are they normaly used as monitors or what is their purpose?
I would probably look at a piece of equipment called a Matrix
Mixer. There are quite a few different brands. It always happens when you want the info you can't find it.
For those of you who don't know what these are I'll give a quick explanation.
Matrix Mixers are basicaly programmable digital signal processors. They have a number of audio inputs and audio outputs. In the middle is a range of programable processors and signal routing. In the simplest form you can have an input that goes through without any processing and come out the output un changed. Or you have it
pass through an automatic
gain control then through a
crossover so that the one input now comes out as the high pass and low pass for the mains and subs. Obviously it can be more complicated then that.
They are normaly programmed with a computer but you don't need it to run them. The programming is pretty simple and normally done using pictures like a flow chart idea.
They also normally allow you to have multiple programs stored you can change at the touch of a
button. For example in this case one program would be for general
theatre use with the centre and the sides having the appropriate delays. Another setting would be for movies so all you do is
plug the surround sound output into the appropriate connectors and the program would route them correctly.
I worked in a school
theatre last year where this was installed. We didn't have as many speakers as mbenonis needs but it showed the basic principles.
The
eq'ing for the
theatre was done in the matrix
mixer so people couldn't alter it after it was set correctly for the
venue. If you wanted to change the eq you could still do it at the mixing
desk.
It would be good in this university setting because the
theatre could have the proper
EQ'ing and delays set so people couldn't change them from what was best for the
venue. This saves a lot of time if you come in after another user has been mucking around with it.
The matrix mixers also normaly come with remote control circuits such as volume controls and on/off switches. These can be good in multipurpose venues where say you only need one
microphone, eg assembly. This gets programmed into the
mixer so people only have to push one
button and they have a mike setup.
They are so flexible they will gradually become a standard item. Although they cost a $2000 - $3000 the lost time they save is worth the investment. Just my two cents ( Oops that has to be ten cents, NZ doesnt have any coin smaller then 10 cents now)