So far, I've read pages 1-4. You're doing just about everything that I/we do and more. I'm so impressed and will be stealing a few ideas.
My setup is an XR16 for 2 or 3 duo setups and possibly a trio, most members of which come from our 5-piece band, which uses XR18. These duos were initially triggered by covid restrictions.
So, briefly, various versions of backing tracks mixed from karaoke-version.com which are, Dem (demo everything on the track), DuG (guitar duo), DuK(Keys duo), Kar (for just 1 solo singer) and sometimes Ka2 (for just 2 vocals if the backing needs to be different), and coming along now Tri for the trio, as appropriate. Those are filename suffixes.
Lighting just runs on its own currently but may be getting an upgrade (thanks) soon. Perhaps at least speed.
Vocal effects, I've just worked out, thanks to Arlo's hints, will be going OFF at Song Select (and possibly Song End); and ON at Song Second Select (= Start) if it will do all those things. This should cover those songs where I'm just playing guitar with no backing. I didn't want to make Automation for every song if it's avoidable. I had planned to send all 4 vocal mics (mostly 2 of 4 people at a time) to an Aux, then that back to a channel (with LR off) to go to FX but gated from the backing channel but that won't work for non-backed songs. So the start/end midi idea should do it instead.
I already plan to change guitar (Helix) patches from BH but had not thought to have it run more than that. I'll give that a go too.
I'm not greatly bothered about multitrack recording and the XR16 only does 2-track anyway, so I just press my Rec button on Mixing Station at the start, when I remember - and hopefully Stop at the end or it throws it all away! Maybe I should automate that too.
I like the Break 'songs' idea.
Already using and muting an ambient mic.
Wired (Behringer P1) or wireless (Gear4Music) IEM. I switch my source between Aux 5+6 for normal and Main LR to check the house. I must make a button for that instead of menu-fiddling.
Tempo goes to Midi for guitar echo and may soon do lights / mixer.
A BH Custom Text field, across the top, loud and obvious, describes the count-in and intro sequence. I don't display that on the band's layouts.
Guitar Capo is the one thing I forget most, though it is on the layout. Grr.
Can't wait to read the rest. Thanks for all the good info. I must be doing some of it right.