Help with Firewire/mackie

[jaredsletter]

I am totally new to recording. I am a 19 yr old college student who is putting together a small project with my band in order to get the most out of studio time by having our own. I know that my computer can support firewire and from what I have read it seems to be the one that can handle the most channels. I need help in choosing an interface and a DAW thats simple to use. I have a mackie 1604VLZ, and I was wondering if it would be possible to run that through the interface in order to have access to 16 channels or if I need to buy a new board. I want to have enough channels that I could record drums if needed. Right now I am starting small just recording acoustic guitars and vocals, but I want to have the room to expand if needed. So to begin I want to go with a condensor mic. Is there a mic that is best for the money?

thanks

[izzy]

Only the new Onyx mixers have the Firewire option. I too have the 1402 VLZ and am considering an upgrade.:)

[howlingwolf487]

I understand the want to upgrade, but if you've mixed with that mixer before and gotten good shows/sounds out of it, you might just consider going for a stereo mixdown from the board's submixes or mains.

Just a thought...