Any reason why you don't want to go with firewire instead of usb.
USB is not great for multi channel back and forth although with usb 3 getting more popular
there might be some improved usb mixers comming out but i don't know of any avalable yet.
Firewire works great and is a proven format.

No particular reason, would firewire be better for multi track?

Yeah definetly, there are mixers like the AH GSR24 that can carry 24+ tracks while also carring adat and midi streams via firewire without a hitch.
Plus you would have a lot more choices.
How many tracks do you need and what's your budget?

I'm looking to have about 8 to 12 XLR ready tracks and the budget is around 1200, give or take, very little is concrete at this point.

This might work for you.
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