project studio ideas and advice

[osostrings]

A fellow bandmate is seeking the path of the audio engineer and I intend to provide as much support as possible (I might love the recording arts as much as he does anyway). We plan on putting together a project studio to hone our craft and record local bands (probably for free). We don't have a lot of money to put into it...and we don't expect it to make us money...we just want a setup that will deliver some quality recordings and help us develop our skills. So...via endless hours on the net and after perusing myriad forums, magazines, and online reviews...we've put together some ideas for our entry-level DAW. I'd really like to know what thoughts/suggestions/words of sage wisdom might be out there. Here goes:

DAW:
iMac G5 (already have it)
RME Fireface

OUTBOARD:
Presonus M80 (is there a better 8-ch box for the money?)
Presonus ACP88 (just to get us started and have some versatility...although we probably only need about 4 channels compression at once...very open to suggestions here, especially if they save $)

MONITORING:
Headphones:
Sony MDR-7509
Extreme Isolation Headphones
Speakers:
Mackie HR824

MICS:
Shure SM57 (x2)
Sennheiser MD421 (x2)
AKG D112
Josephson C42 (sd con)
AKG AT4050 LDC

PLUGINS/SOFTWARE:
Cubase SX3
Propellerhead Reason 3
Waves Platinum Bundle

MISC:
Mic stands
Mic/patch cables
Headphone distribution amp
Extra headphones

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FUTURE DREAMS:
Expansion: RME ADI-8 DS
Dangerous 2-Bus LT
Royer R-121
Soundelux u195
Another gig of ram
API 3124
John Hardy M-1
FMR RNC

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For musical reference, we play stuff in the realm of indie rock...some hardcore influences, some post-rock/instrumental influences, etc. Check out http://www.myspace.com/thebrightlightsocialhour for mp3s...we recorded them ourselves actually...not on the above gear (digi 001 and such)...we had some helpful friends, but it was pretty much out first crack at it.

Your consideration is deeply appreciated.

[DrDeltaM]

I'd skip the Presonus boxes. For an 8 pre-amp box, the Audient one seems a much better ticket, and cheaper too (here in EU anyway).

As for compressors, since you need only 4 channels, you can get better stuff then the Presonus as well. Which ones, depends a bit on what the purpose is gonna be. Why not get 2 RNC's and 2 DBX 160X(T)'s to start? Will give you plenty of options.

[osostrings]

The Audient box looks cool...more reading is in store for me I suppose. However, the one caveat that immediately jumps out is the 25 pin output. How would I get this into the Fireface since the RME unit has no 25 pin input?

[DrDeltaM]

There are snakes in all lenghts from 25pin to 8 TRS's