Ok, Rob, here's the skinny: To start with, I'd like a mixer with 12 channels. Why 12? I need them for tracking real drums. Also, perhaps one day my wife and I might get our "family band" happening and we'll need channels for both our Sticks plus vocals, etc.
Built-in USB would be really cool, as I would be able to go direct from the mixer into DAW; that way I'd be able to assign each drum mic' its own channel in the DAW (up to this point I've been limited by USB interfaces to 8 channels, so I've had to sub-mix parts of my set, and I'd like more individual control).
Of course phantom power is a given.
Many mixers have some built-in effects, which could be useful sometimes, until I get some outboard FX. EQ flexibility and control will be needed.
It needs to have as close to zero noise as possible.
I intend to shop at Sweetwater, just so you know. (Interest-free for a year or two, and all.)
Budget? $1,000; less if possible.
Thanks!

Hi Luc, I'm not Rob, but I'd say something like this might do it for you:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Sig22MT

My only worry about this mixer is that it doesn't have channel inserts. Other than that, it look pretty cool. I would do some research on user comments on the DAW functionality of it before buying.

check out the new QSC Touch Mix....

+1. I´ve checked it out. Impressive thing. Sounds good and takes little space.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TouchMix16

Go with the 16 channel version. ALITTLE over your budget but worth it I would say.

Of course, the QSC Touch mix is the ultimate and certainly the way to go.

A cheaper option is the Zoom R24 multi-track recorder that works pretty well as a mixer (I have one). You can link two of them together to get 16 tracks of simultaneous inputs. And, you don't need to have a computer with you to record -- it records onto an SD card. Dead easy to use, pretty good on the noise, and a lot of fun to play with.

Oh. And it can be battery powered, so works well for busking with my battery powered Rollad BA330 ( if I ever get around to busking).



But, really, the QSC has my mouth watering. Now, how can I convince my wife that I really need the QSC....

I've had the QSC touchmix 16 for 2 months and it DELIVERS. Very good buy.

And one can record 21 (?) channels directly to hard drive or other USB devices! Without a computer. I got really impressed with this mixer when I took a look at it. They might release a 24 channel version as well some time in the rather near future to my understanding.

The great thing about this unit: you can record your live performances without hauling extra equipment. A featherlight SSID disk plugged in a USB port, press "record", play your entire set, then press "stop". Everything is in the can: all your individual tracks, plus a 2 track mix. When you're back home, you check the 2 track mix (always a useful gig debriefing) and if there are songs you want to polish, just import the individual tracks into your DAW for further tweaking.

DAMN! The TouchMix has got me thinking...!
Thanks everyone for chiming in.