[Siberian]

Okay, after further research it has come down to these two choices... I need between 9 and 10 simultaneous mic inputs (to mic my drums) so whether I go with the Digi001 or the Digi002 I am still faced with buying an 8-channel outboard preamp to supplement the built in pre's on the 001 or 002.

I had set a rough startup budget of around $4500 for everything to get up and running. Then as I grow and become a better engineer, I'd upgrade and add more plugins, mics, and pre's down the road for whatever future needs I may have. According to my estimates, if I went with the Digi002 ($2200) and bought the Presonus Digimax preamp ($800), I'd be at around $3000. Then I still need to get a PC, ($800 for the "Allen" system), and finally monitors, which I figured maybe ($500) give or take. Total that up and I'm at about $4300 and I still need to get mic's, cables, stands, etc.

Now if I went with the 001 I'd be at about $2900. ($800 for the 001, $800 for the Digimax preamp, $800 for the PC, and $500 for the monitors). That would leave me PLENTY of extra money to buy some mic's, cables, stands, etc to get up and running, and maybe even spend a little more on the monitors. HOWEVER, I think if I got the 001 I would also want to buy some extra plugins and the cost could go up by $200-$300... maybe.

Up to this point the choice seemed pretty clear... get the 001 and add plugins and control surface down the road as my needs change.

HOWEVER, I recently was browsing through the musiciansfriend website and happened across this 8-channel preamp by SM Pro Audio... it's the SM PR8, 8-channel preamp for $199.00. Now I realize that the sound quality of this preamp is probably crap, and it doesn't have digital output so I'd have to just run the direct out's from each channel to the eight analog in's on the Digi002. But if I went with this preamp instead of the Presonus, I'd save about $600 bucks which would allow me to have enough to get the mic's and accessories I would need to get my basic studio off the ground.

The presumption being, that if I DID go with the cheaper preamp, I would eventually upgrade to the Presonus Digimax when the funds allow it. And with this package I would be getting all of those great Digi002 plugins and the control surface.

And seeing as how I am new to recording, I have a lot of learning to do anyway, so I wouldn't expect my recordings to come out all that great for awhile anyway. So I figure while I am practicing and learning, I could get by temporarily with the lower-end preamp for drum mic'ing. I figure I'd use the four good pre's in the 002 for the kick, snare, and overheads, then throw the toms on the cheaper preamp.

So based on those scenarios, what do you guys/gals think is the better way to go? I know that ultimately only I can decide, but if you were in my shoes, what would you do? Personally, I think I am slightly leaning towards the 002 with the cheaper pre.