[Geosync]

Am I to understand that it's basicly the N12 in a rack (as far as pre's, sweet spot morphing, rev-x) with hardware based VST?

Yes


I noticed you said that it does not have the same drivers,

Yes but the n series will eventually use the same.... More info on that near year's end

I also noticed that it's branding is Steinberg. Is it a Yamaha product?

Same designers, but the MR's primary role is to provide a very tightly integrated system
DAW system for Steinberg... But..... The MR will work with any DAW, As a Nuendo user,
You will love the integration of either.

It doesn't matter if you are a total ITB person or not, you still must have Hardware to get the sound in... and hardware to monitor the results the better those pieces work in concert the better. Eventually, you can start with eithe the N or the MR and expand with the other, up to 3 devices..

3 MRs,
1 N12 and 2 MRs,
2 n12s and 1 MR,
1 n12, 1 MR and 1 Motif XS or Motif Rack XS w/ 1394 card...

Whew......



Any info you can shed on comparing the similarities, and differences of the two (N12 & MR816), would be greatly appreciated.


That's not possible.. the MR has not shipped.

Why choose, get one each.. One now and the other for Christmas drivers will be available shortly after I hear ;-)