Audio Interface... new rig build

Hey all. I'm working on a new rig build. Thanks to some of your recommendations for studiocat, I just bought this new pc: . My next purchase will be a new interface. Heres what I'm looking for,, I would LOVE an interface/controller combo... if I could find one that works well with Reaper and has stable drivers for my PC. Lots of In's for drums, I don't need a lot of outs. I'm not that concerened about the preamp quality since I have some nice stand alone preamps on my want list... Same for the converters. S/pdif, ADAT and MIDI are musts. My price range is $1400. If I had to spend a little more to get the right piece I would :) what do you guys like?

How about a as your card with TOtalMix for monitorind and then use a few ADAT units to get up to 36 channels for ~$850. I'm not sure about Control surfaces.. I would like one myself.. but I think the (~$1300) will as well as the (~$200)

What about the M-audio Project mix?? It has 8 inputs, 4 outs, s/pdif, ADAT, MIDI, and 2 headphone jacks. I read somewhere that it is compatible with Reaper in "cubase mode". What is cubase mode? I've read the pres and converters are not great with it but I would be bypassing them anyway. thoughts?

As a controller and interface, the project mix is a good unit. I have it working with Reaper in Sonar mode, it surely works as a control surface. Keep in mind that if you cannot bypass the pres on the unit by going line in. You used to if it was modded by Black Lion, but they no longer do it. You can obviously go ADAT in, as well as SPDIF. Also, the pres are not total crap, but they are very hot. I would suggest buying individual attenuators for each channel you will use, so you can cut 20 DB off the signal. This will give you a useable sound.

I've chosen M-audio profire 2626. It's not a controller obviously but it has everything I need. I might give the alphatrack a try

Jake- That is a great move! The ProFire 2626 has the 8 pres, but they are based on the Octane technology and actually could work for actual stuff that is released. Obviously, we are not saying competing with a Neve or API pre, but they are probably the best in that price range. Something that was discontinued was the Frontier Tranzport, which I use. It does not have a fader, but it does have all of your playback/record options as well a jog wheel, which is key. I hear the AlphaTrack is cool too. Good luck!