I've heard good things about the Yamaha AW16G. In fact it's suppose to be the best DAW dollar for dollar of any DAW on the market right now. It has been out about a year and a half and still holds its own as far as a cutting edge product goes.

But I have to agree with Jim that the best thing might be to boost your Computer's power and capability. Then use the extra money to get this:

Digi 002R Music Production System

SAVE $95.01 (7%) When You Buy Today!
List: $1,295.00
Sale Price: $1,199.99 @ www.musiciansfriend.com


An affordable FireWire-based Pro Tools mini studio!

Packs all the punch of Digi 002 (minus the control surface interface) into a 2U rackmountable unit.

Create everything from top-notch demos to masterful DJ mixes to superb radio spots, all with 24-bit clarity and up to 96kHz sample rate support. Analog, digital, and MIDI capabilities for a wide variety of I/O configurations, with dedicated monitor and headphone outputs.

Single-box design includes a sole FireWire connection to your PC or Mac (OS 10.2.5), so you just plug in and go. No additional hardware is required -- great for laptops. Everything you need to create professional audio productions with Pro Tools ease, power, and flexibility. FireWire-based portability makes it equally viable for studio and live applications.

8 channels of balanced analog I/O, 8 channels of ADAT optical I/O, and 2 channels of S/PDIF I/O, all easily accessible via the back panel. 4 mic preamps with 48V phantom power; 96 kHz converters; one MIDI Iin and 2 MIDI out ports for a total of 16-in/32-out MIDI channels; a separate unbalanced RCA-based, --10dBV main input and output (for recording from/to cassette decks or CD players); and an alternate source input for monitoring tape or CD players at the touch of a button.

24-bit robust signal throughout. Sample rates extend up to 96kHz, and a >105dB dynamic range further ensures the sonic quality of your end results. Whether you are working with raw audio, MIDI, or a combination of the two, Digi 002 Rack and Pro Tools LE work together seamlessly to allow you to optimize your time and creativity. Ships with the latest 32-track Pro Tools LE software, giving you greater functionality and ease-of-use than ever before.

RTAS/AudioSuite-format plug-ins offer even more production options. Pro Tools LE software includes a variety of professional Digidesign plug-ins with the DigiRack plug-in bundle. And, as Digi 002 Rack includes native support for the RTAS format, you can always augment your system with a large variety of professional plug-ins created by Digidesign.

Connecting the Digi 002 Rack to your computer is as simple as plugging in a FireWire cable, which facilitates the flow of all audio streams, MIDI data, and Pro Tools control data between Digi 002 Rack and your host computer. For storage and throughput, an extra FireWire port allows you to connect another FireWire-capable device, such as an external hard drive, to your computer while simultaneously running the Pro Tools application. For Windows XP users, Digi 002 Rack works with leading 1394 (FireWire) controller cards.

Digi 002 Rack works with any FireWire-enabled system to give you serious creative power. You're not restricted to bulky, desktop CPUs, nor to a software-only working environment. And your sessions are equally viable in your own studio and in a professional Pro Tools TDM studio, sharing the same interface, and in many respects, the same functionality.

No other product prepares you as effectively to make the transition from an all-in-one home/project solution to a professional DAW environment. And, no other product can touch the value.

Features:

Single FireWire connection to PC or Mac host computer
8 analog inputs with 4 mic preamps with individual gain and high-pass filter
48V phantom power enabled on channel pairs
8 analog outputs
Outputs 1 & 2 mirrored on 1/4" TRS monitor output (with dedicated volume control), headphone output on 1/4" TRS (with dedicated volume control knob), and RCA-based --10dBV fixed output
8 channels of ADAT optical I/O or 2 channels of optical S/PDIF I/O
2 channels of S/PDIF I/O on RCA connectors
Alternate source Input for direct monitoring of --10dBV audio equipment (CD players, tape players, etc.)
24-bit/96kHz converters, up to >108dB dynamic range and >98dB (0.002%) THD+N
MIDI I/O--1 IN port, 2 OUT ports (16 channels in, 32 channels out)
Footswitch for QuickPunch control
2U rackmountable chassis
Support for PC and Mac (OS 10.2.5)
Specifications:

A/D:

Sample rate: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz

Max Input:
Inputs 1-4 (mic): +3 dBu
Inputs 1-4 (line): +18 dBu
Inputs 5-8 (line/+4 mode): +18 dBu

Gain Range:
Inputs 1-4: Mic Setting: +15 - +65 dB; Line/DI Setting: +0 - +50 dB
Inputs 5-8 -- fixed +4 dBu or --10 dBV, -14 dB headroom
Mic E.I.N (unweighted):
Inputs 1-4: --126 dBu @ 65 dB gain, 150 ohm source, 20 Hz -- 20 kHz

THD+N:
Inputs 1-4 (mic): 0.004%, 62 dB gain see 1,3
Inputs 1-4 (line): 0.004%, +17 dBu signal (minimum gain) see 1,3
Inputs 5-6: 0.002% @ +17 dBu input level
Inputs 7-8: 0.003% @ +17 dBu input level

Dynamic range: see 1,2
Inputs 1-4: >101 dB (A-weighted), 98 dB (unweighted)
Inputs 5-8: >108 dB (A-weighted), 105 dB (unweighted) see 5
Alt Source Inputs: >99 dB (A-weighted), 97 dB (unweighted)

Frequency Response:
+0.15 / -0.5 dB, 20 Hz -- 20 kHz

Input Impedance:
Inputs 1-4 (XLR): 2 kohm
Inputs 1-4 (1/4"): 10 Mohm

D/A

Sample Rate:
44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz

Max Output:
Main (1-2), Monitor, and Outputs (3-8): +18 dBu
Alt. --10 dBV Outputs: +4 dBV
Headphone Outputs: +15 dBu, 150 ohm load

THD+N: see 1,3,4
Main Outputs: <0.0016% (-95 dB)
Monitor Outputs: <0.0016% (-95 dB)
Outputs 3-8: <0.0023% (-93 dB)
Alt. --10 dBV Outputs: <0.0023% (-93 dB)

Dynamic range: see 1,3,4
Main Outputs: 114 dB (A-weighted), 112 dB (unweighted)
Monitor Outputs: 112 dB (A-weighted), 110 dB (unweighted)
Outputs 3-8: 114 dB (A-weighted), 112 dB (unweighted)
Alt. --10 dBV Outputs: 98 dB (A-weighted), 95 dB (unweighted)

Frequency Response:
+0.15 / -0.5 dB, 20 Hz -- 20 kHz

Output Impedance:
50 ohms
1 - Measurement made using balanced connectors
2 - ADC measured -60 dBFS method with a gain setting such that +18 dBu = 0 dBFS at S/PDIF output
3 - Measured relative to level at 1 kHz
4 - Measured with digital input at -60 dBFS @ 1 kHz
5 - Measured using "+4" setting
Incredible power at your fingertips for a fantastic price. Order today and break into true pro-quality recording.

The only bad thing about it is it is a non-returnable item if you buy it at Musicians Friend. If you bought it at a local GC perhaps you would be able to return it if you wound up not liking it. I would definitely ask the Manager about that before you bought it though.

Best regards,
Mike


[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 12-08-2003).]