I will be going there at the U.S. in a couple of weeks from all the way here in Manila, Philippines. I have been researching your sites and reading different magazines which either deal directly or touch on the subject matter of recording, as I am much interested to set up my very own Home Studio. After months of reading and surfing I have narrowed down my choices to a MOTU 896 (maybe with a Mackie controller too) and eventually install Digital Performer for OSX since I have a G4 Powerbook 550. But I am also interested to get a Mackie HDR24/96.

I also already have a Mackie VLZ-Pro, and a n AT3035 condenser mic.

At present I record thru my Athlon750 PC thru a Creative Extigy. Works good but I really intend to move up.

What in your expert analysis would I best get. Yes, I will order thru Sweetwater by the way.

Please help me out. once I get the Motu and Mackie controller. Do I need to get the HDR24/96? Or just get that one instead? I might risk overlapping one of them. Redundant in a way.

I will be using them for the home recording studio and Live Recording as well. Right now, I am poised to be recording a Philiharmonic Orchestra by December and a Professional Chorale Group consisting of 32singers.

Thanks in advance for your advise. More power.