Control Surface / 5.1 Monitoring

[Dabbler]

Hi everyone.

I'm in the market for a control surface for my HD system (G5 dual 2.5, HD2Accel, 2x192I/O with Digital I/O expansion cards on both), but I'm also going to be 'upgrading' my stereo room into a 5.1 room in the not too distant future. So I was hoping to find something, on my limited budget of say under $4000, which would also double as a 5.1 mixer/monitor solution.

Most of my business is in music editing for features and tv, but occasionally I do some album production (usually just demos for friends) on the side, so I wouldn't mind if the item in question had between 8 and 24 Mic/line inputs, some inserts, decent routing options, channel EQ/dynamics, maybe even some onboard effects (not necessary).

I've been looking at the Tascam DM3200 with the IF-SM/DM and the IF-FW/DM cards as one option, or the Yamaha 01V96 with similar cards for surround/DAW control as another. Alternatively, I was thinking I could just get a Command8 and the Tascam DS-M7.1 (using 8 of the AES outs from my 192's as 'sends' to this box) and rent Mic-Pre's as I need them for recording (I probably do 1 pet-recording project a year on average). Basically, the 3200 is probably more horsepower than I need but if it's only $1500 more (with the expansion cards) than the Command8/DS-M7.1 option, and still brings me in under budget then.....

Anyway, looking for suggestions....what are folks out there using for this kind of thing, and what advice do you have for me on this issue?

Thanks in advance

[bizzle]

how about a Yamaha DM1000?

http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/products/mixers/dm1000/

that'll give you 16 mic/line ins, 16 faders of hui control, 5.1 surround monitoring with bass management, you could probably get one for under $5k and have a clean looking desk

&e