My new Studio board & redesigned DIY custom built desk.

What do you guys think?!    And.... Any pointers on a laptop that isn't going to break the bank account?

Thanks Jay Tee.  I got some new goodies for Christmas I shall be adding in to the mix here over the next day or so.  I will update the pics when done!

To answer your question the best I can bud, Yes for some they prefer to mix in the analog domain and have hands on faders & knobs.  It is a workflow preference and they like the analog summing of all the tracks....  In this case for me, the vast majority of all end stage mixing will still be done within the computer as opposed to the console for a few reasons:
1) as nice as this desk is, it still can't do automation as the faders are not motorized.  It would be nice but, until ya get about $1000 higher than this board you just don't get those features yet.
2) For similar reasons as above, it doesn't have a full instant recall (where you open a project from a week ago and everything snaps back to where you left that song project.  I can't do with out that yet.  I still, am rarely ever/never finished in one session.
 
For me I bought this board because:
1) it's a monster 24 channel interface that allows me to do hardware monitoring (no latency issues at all)
2) I can run up to 10 different headphone mixes
3) I can have my iPod plugged in to reference music through my monitors during mix sessions
4) It replaces nearly everything else in my studio...  I now run through it and out an am & PA speakers for band practice so my old board,Eq's, Gates, & compressors are being sold off.  I no longer need my other interfaces So I am selling a saffire pro 40, and the Behringer ADA800 I have connected to it... ( with these I had up to 16 channels before, I now have 24).  You interested??!  Let me know.
5) I can go mobile much easier to record off site or at live gigs much easier (while running sound for the gig itself too)
6) I can play those recordings back through the board and do quick mixes on it for live stuff.
7) Big complicated boards with lots of knobs, lights, and faders make musicians feel better about paying you to record them.  It may not sound any different than if you didn't have it but... they get all happy inside when they see it.   That, (by the way) is my other definition for the term "Psycho-Acoustic" LOL!
 
 

True enough on the ipod issue,  when you get called out doing something kinda stupid.... ya just gotta admit it and laugh!