For the immediate, I will be using a Mackie onyx 1620 board and recording small rock, R&B and reggae bands (wherein 8 channels is more than enough). This stuff is generally for video related work wherein I need separate sound. I am also incorporating this mix into some indie filming I have coming up (next 12 or so months) wherein there are music scenes (not dubbed over unless absolutely necessary).

Spot, thanks for the clarification! 'Makes perfect sense.

Dwight, I'd love to hear how that Onyx board works out for you, as I've had my eye on the 1640 for awhile (saving my pennies). In the meantime, I hope I haven't hijacked this thread too badly.

Jeremy, no problem, I'll give you the scoop as soon as I begin to use the 1620 for full scale production work. I was going to get the 1640, but I just couldn't justify the added expense of almost $400 bucks for 8 additional mic pres and 2 additional monitoring options. Still so far the unit handles fairly sweeeeet. I bet in a year I'll eat those words as a bevy of alternatives will be out, just as good but much cheaper.