Mixerless Studio Redesign advice

[monads]

Ok, here we go...again . My old school setup revolved around Firewire Audio Interfaces, namely the Motu boxes. I decided to ditch them in favor of a better AD/DA converter, mic pres, expansion possibilities. I mix in the box relying on some digital effects processors (KSP8, TC Reverb 4000). My instruments are Virus C, Motif, Voyager, Arp Odyssey, MachineDrum. I also have a RME Octamic, Lynx AES16 and Aurora 16 ‘preorder’ (probably overkill since it’s just me recording myself).

I’m likely to add in the future to my instrument list/effect list. I was going to stick with internal processing, not planning on adding any outboard gear for compression, eq, etc. But I’d still like this option open for the future.

Now I know I need some type of monitor controller between the DA outputs and studio monitors. Solved. But is there something I’m missing to make my system more versatile/expansion proof? Obviously 1 Octamic isn’t enough to plug all my instruments in. Should I add another, or go with a patchbay? What do you guys think best to hook up all this crap. Set aside prices and give me some proposals. I know there are other users out there that have had similar setups or experiences switching to mixerless based setup. A lot of peeps ponder this but are to scarred to ask how you guys "pros" do it. But I don’t mind if you beat me up, I’m bound to learn something…or maybe you beat me up so bad I won’t be able to stand up again . And don't worry, I didn't forget about the importance of a proper word clocking .