Hello,

First here is the plan: I am going to be using the mixer with a computer running a DAW. Each song will have its own tab or project with multiple tracks. I will trigger movement from project to project, playback, start/stop, etc... from a midi floor board. These tracks will send click tracks to in ear monitors, we will also have a channel setup for vocals with some VST automation to perhaps add a little delay at certain points throughout the song (will just set the track to monitor mode and setup an envelope). We will record ourselves with the click track so I can add the VST envelopes correctly, then I'll just keep all the tracks setup along with the click track but remove wave files and such. I haven't really done this too much but common sense tells me this is the easiest approach in creating the click tracks. Possibly adding some sort of audio queue to our in ear monitors wouldn't be a bad idea either; such as a different pitched metronome 8 beats before a section change within the song. Later adding backing tracks/samples is something we may do as well; perhaps to add an instrument part that we can't play. Would also be recording our live shows as well (Either to keep or critique ourselves... because there's nothing better than listening and having record of every single mistake you made so you can wallow in self pitty for years to come about the fact that you played the #9 on the second half of beat three in measure 142 of the song instead of the major 7th)

The reason I wanted to add that was:
1. I need a mixer that doubles as a full audio interface, otherwise I can't do what we want with the samples, click tracks, and VST Automation within the DAW and send the processed audio to the mains.
2. I would like full wireless mixing capabilities using a wireless tablet PC and/or ipad (prefer PC but we do have an ipad available)... I do understand that we'll be using two computers: 1 plugged directly into the mixer via firewire or usb and the other running the mixer software (such as UC Surface)

So here is the question!!

1. What mixer under $3000 (and I will consider used prices) doubles as both a mixer and a full multi-track audio interface and has wireless mixing available sounds the best, high quality craftsmanship, and I would be happy with for years to come?

2. What is more reliable: USB or Firewire?

3. Does the RM32r, Yamaha TF series, and Allen and Heath QU series have multi track recording capabilities to pull this off?

4. What order would you rate the pre-amp quality and sound between presonus, Yamaha, and A&H?

5. Are there other brands I should consider, such as soundcraft? (sorry but behringer isn't an option, they may have come leaps and bounds but I have already had too many problems with their products and I am simply never going to own another behringer ... So that one is COMPLETELY out of the realm of what I'll consider)

I bought the RM16ai already, I haven't really used it too much yet, but I am still within return period.

By no means am I thinking that the RM16ai isn't a great mixer; mostly because it looks like it does everything I want it to, the price is right, and I have read great things about it. But this is a question about what if you could do it again with regards to your mixer purchases? I would like to get a mixer that would last and keep me happy for years to come...

If I spend more than I did on the RM16ai, that can be made up for in the fact that I have a mixer that I don't feel like I'll want to replace later on.

I do understand that I am asking this in a presonus forum... But who better to ask?!

I know a lot of these quality of sound questions are purely subjective... But as an industry standard who makes the highest quality digital mixer that would double as an audio interface that doesn't cost a small car loan?

Thank you guys VERY much... I have done some searching around on these but no direct comparison have I been able to find.