Hi Roel: The D1200mkII allows you to record in either 16 or 24 bit mode. In 24 bit mode you can record up to 4 tracks simultaneously with a maximum of 8 tracks simultaneous playback. I can hear significantly better musical 'timing resolution' when recording 24 bit vs 16 bit, so think it worth giving up the added track capacity recording in 16 bit, to gain the improved audio timing/sound quality. I figure if I really need more tracks, I can easily (via USB) move the tracks to Sonar.

Admittedly, when mastering to CD (dropping down to 16 bit) won't retain the original 24 bit resolution, but (for some reason) both studio engineers (and even I) can still detect the smoother & better fidelity sound when listening to a CD which was captured originally in 24 bit. Big time recording studios always prefer mastering at the highest bit resolution possible even though they know it will end up in 16 bit audio CD, because the more audio information you can capture in the original recording the better. In fact, with the new Sony SACD audio format now out, every bit of 24 bit quality resolution can now be retained and played back on an SACD (super audio compact disc) format CD player. I'm now just waiting for SACD format recorders to become commercially available to the general public.

Whether you go with the Yamaha AW16G, Korg D1600mkII, or the smaller Korg D1200mkII (like I did), you can't go wrong for the price. Each one is just geared for slightly different personal user requirements. - Scott