Something else I need to ask about this whole debate. Does everybody have a clear picture of what I have here? From people making suggestions and recommending hardware, I think the overview is completely lost. Let me try to refocus.

1. I WANT to use Real Band. It composes. Any other software or hardware that requires me to actually play is not going to cut it. I'd spend more time correcting clams than I do at my day job.

2. My interface is NOT a USB piece, there are not 2 sound cards... It is one PCI card with 4 firewire outputs that is made BY MOTU to use with the MOTU boxes. I am not using Bob's card to drive Fred's boxes.

3. Nobody else here is using the hardware I am using. So while I love you all for your "I use this and that and have no problems" posts, that is like telling me how great your Ferrari handles while I drive my Kia Rio. Unless someone else has a MOTU PCIx-424 in their computer driving 2 2408 interfaces, it isn't apples and apples.

4. I am well aware that other hardware would work. However, I already have one mortgage for my house and a $2500 digital mixer is not on my short list. I barely make a living here.

Now specifically, the Tascam mixer than was suggested, I looked at it and don't know what I am looking at. How does it interface with the computer? Can I assign each Real Band track an output so I can mix it one track of RB to one track on the mixer? (That IS, after all, the goal here.) If it is just a 24 track multitrack recorder where I have to play and program drums, etc.... it doesn't help me. I have an 8 track Tascam that I don't use because I don't want to play. I want to write and let RB play. 100% if possible. It never makes mistakes. I do. Lots of them.