Hi Beep. You may know this but those insert points on the first 8 channels are rather interesting in how they work. If you insert a mono jack only part the way in, it clicks in nicely and you have 8 direct outs on those channels. Also if you use a stereo jack and insert all the way in but only wire to the return you can get a signal into that mixer and completely bypass the Mic Pre and the EQ stages. This allows a very direct flow from there to the main outputs without any colour being added anywhere.

Those mixers are very good and clean and transparent. The Mic Pres are also very usable and sound excellent. I have done many recordings using them when I had the unit. They are also very clean, quiet and transparent. Do not be afraid to use them. Do not listen to anyone who says they are no good, they are incorrect.

Oh yeah! I forgot about all that stuff. I didn't really understand that back when I was first messing with it either. Now that I know a little more I might just be able to tame this beast. Good to know about the transparency too. I'll probably do some tests just to see what's up but that is encouraging. 

And I don't think I've ever seen anyone say anything negative about this board. The worst I recall were just lamentations about the lack of digital connections but that's just silly because it wasn't designed for that. The newer models seem to be though but the last time I checked they were like a thousand dollars and I think they are made in China or some other sweatshop country. Also the pres aren't supposed to be quite as nice.

Thanks for the reminder, Jeff. Gonna have to bone up on the manual.

yes, those direct outs that Jeff is talking about is how I run my signals thru to the MOTU.  the 1/2 insert on the 1st 8 inputs. 

which is also why I have my MOTU input on 13 &14 - it's higher than those first 8 because I don't need direct outs on the MOTU output.