You Should Use a Matrix to Feed the PA

Today, I want to tell you why I believe there are major advantages of using the matrix section of your mixing console for feeding your PA system. This approach can greatly enhance control and flexibility in your sound setup.

There are four main benefits. Let’s dive in!

1. You can feed multiple destinations with the LR Buss Mix

The matrix allows you to send your main LR mix to various destinations at once. This is useful for sending different levels or EQ settings to areas like the main auditorium, lobby, or overflow rooms.

Instead of duplicating your efforts, you can use the same LR mix and adjust it independently to these destinations in the matrix.

2. You can adjust volume to the PA without touching the LR Buss Master Fader

With a matrix, you can adjust the overall volume sent to the PA system without changing the LR buss master fader.

This separation helps you maintain a consistent mix level on your LR buss while customizing the volume for the PA, which is particularly beneficial in complex systems where you need to have independent volume adjustment for the Main PA hang and then the Delay hang or a Front Fill.

3. You gain control by using EQ and Compressing the Outputs to the PA

The matrix section on most mixers offers individual EQ and compression controls for each output. This allows you to fine-tune the sound for different parts of your PA system, ensuring optimal audio quality in every area.

For example, if your PA system sounds too bright or lacks bass, you can adjust it in the matrix without affecting your main mix, ensuring consistent sound quality across all outputs.

4. You can set up a stream/recording Buss off the LR Buss Mix

If you’re live streaming or recording your mix, the matrix simplifies creating a separate buss for these purposes. You can send your LR mix to a matrix and then adjust the levels and EQ to suit streaming or recording needs, ensuring the best possible audio quality without interfering with the live sound in the room.

The main benefit of this is it can take the same mix you have in the room and send it to your streaming output. This is especially helpful if you have maxed out your mixbusses with monitor feeds or subgroups.

Practical Example: Feeding a PA through the Matrix

Consider a scenario where your PA system sounds too bright in the room. Adjusting the LR buss EQ to fix this could negatively impact other outputs, like recordings or streams, making them sound too dark.

By using the matrix, you can apply EQ adjustments specifically to the PA feed, keeping the main LR mix untouched.

Here’s how to set it up:

• Select the Matrix Section: On the your mixer, navigate to the matrix section.

• Link Matrix Channels: If you need a stereo feed to this destination, you may need to link two matrixes together. If so, link two matrix channels together.

• Send LR Buss to Matrix: Use the 'sends on fader' function or your sends page on the LR Buss to send your LR mix to the selected matrix channels.

• Adjust Tap Point: Ensure the tap point is set to 'post-fader' so any changes to your LR fader will also affect the matrix send.

• EQ and Compression: Apply EQ and compression to the matrix channels as needed to tailor the PA feed.

Feeding your PA through the matrix section provides immense flexibility and control over your entire sound system.

It enables you to manage multiple outputs efficiently, adjust volumes independently, apply specific EQ and compression settings, and set up dedicated streams or recording feeds—all without disrupting your main mix.

Give it a try sometime and let me know how it goes!

Until next time,

Drew

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