Quote Originally Posted by Evil G
this is an interesting discussion.

i'm currently running mixerless, with 6 instruments running into the 8 analog ins of my MOTU 2408mk3. i need more channels, and i'm having a terrible time deciding if i should expand my MOTU system with the 24I/O or if i should get an analog desk and bus 8 channels at a time into the computer.

my main question is, if you make an analog fx loop from a digital system, do you lose too much quality from the d/a - a/d conversions? i guess i could always use a patch bay and put the analog fx inline between the synths and the computer, but it would make automation easier if everything was plugged into the computer all the time and i could route from there.
I don't think you'd really lose much, but you're dependant on how far the MOTU can be pushed, because you are feeding directly into a digital signal before you even hear the output. This may not be the case if it has the ability to monitor without passing though the convertors first, but then you aren't hearing what the computer is actually receiving (because it may be clipped upon conversion).
If you rig up the mixer correctly though, you should be able to hear what anything sounds like at any stage of the process. Pre-computer, post-computer, pre/post fx.. whatever. All simultaneously too. The thing about mixing it all in the console first and then sending the 8 outs to the computer, is that everything stays analog and you can push those Mackie's hella.

One of these days I need to upgrade my Mackie 16/8 in favor of a 32/8. I really want to run my aux returns back into real channels.. which I can't do now because I'm using them all up.

Automation wise... yeah you're going to be lacking there.. but if you are really hell bent on having it you can get a couple of those Niche Automation Stations http://www.audiomidi.com/common/cfm/...t.cfm?pid=1788
and control stuff via midi.
Mackie also had some system that plugged into their 8bus consoles that allowed automation... I forget what it was called though.. and it was a bit expensive (maybe not anymore though..).

If I were you I'd definetly go for the console... the sweepable EQ is also way nice :)