Hi,

I'm leaving the digital world except for MIDI sequencing, and need
some advice on mixers and a workable studio setup. I really just
don't like computers for audio, both in terms of the sound I
personally have been able to get from them, the amount of fun I have
while recording / setting things up (a negative amount). So don't try
to convince me otherwise!

So far, I've primarily looking at the Tascam 38 1/2" 8-track and
Tascam MS-16 1" 16-track machines as multitrack recorders.

I need some kind of (inline) mixer that will work with these and also
with my existing gear:

3 Technics turntables (6 mono outs)
1 Alesis Andromeda (16 outs)
1 JoMoX Airbase 99 (10 outs) -- I might replace this with a TR-808,
we'll see.
a bunch of analogue effects (not purchased yet, but I badly want them)

I want to make house, techno, ambient ... all sorts of electronic
music. Although it might be interesting in the future, microphones
aren't a necessity right now (my synthesizer is more than capable of
what I need).

Basically I'm looking for recommendations as to specific mixer models
as well as information on how I could wire everything together.
Naively it seems like I want a 32x8 mixer. Given that I don't want
any Mackie / Behringer / other similar quality gear, I think that
leaves me looking at a Ghost LE.

At the same time, that board is probably way too big and powerful and
expensive for what I want to do. I've been referred to the Tascam
M-300(B) line of mixers as having great sound. I think I could use a
Tascam M-312 to mix the drum machine outs, M-320 to mix the
synthesizer outs, and Tascam M-308 or plain DJ mixer to mix the
turntable outs. This seems workable, but I don't know how painful it
would be for recording (because I lack practical experience; I've just
been using the crappy stereo outs from these machines through a DJ
mixer into my PCMCIA sound card and doing it all on my computer). It
would also take some time to find all the right pieces ... that's not
such an issue.

Any other mixer series or tape machines that I should strongly be
considering? I want warm, beautiful, analog sound. I can't really
afford more than $2000 U.S. for mixers or $2000 U.S. for recorders.

Cheers,
Chris
http://www.sable.mcgill.ca/~cpicke/

P.S. Some recommendations on good phono pre-amps would be welcome; I
know there's a whole audiophile world devoted to that; I'd be willing
to spend up to $200 U.S. per pre-amp.