I'm thinking of buying the M-Audio Project Mix. It's basically the same thing as the digi002 without 4 extra outputs. Has anyone used this or owns it? What do you think?

What do others think about it or what I should get or could get on $1000 budget to create a nice little setup that will give professional sounding results (given the rest is done rite) ? What do other members use for their recordings or would recommend that is in this price range?

Also, how many inputs can be simultaneously recorded? 8 or 16? I'm afraid I am new to this whole thing and need some advice! Thanks!