Ok guys here is my setup Alesis 32 Mixer, MOTU 828 into my DAW. the 828 has gain knobs for all channels, but when I use these in conjunction with the trim knobs on the mixer I get a lot of noise. Should I just use the mixer preamps and not the MOTU's. It gets even more confusing when I am transfering my bands practice sessions from our Tascam 4-track > mixer > 828 > PC.

As a mixing assignment I'm presented with tracks recorded with a so-so 16 bit interface. They're not terrible, but of course they leave something to be desired.

What I'm asking is would it be benficial for me to convert them (internally via software) to 24 bit files, or perhaps just the stereo mix as a 24 bit file, before they ultimately get dithered back to 16?

Hello all,
This may be basic common knowledge, but I'm still working on getting some of that, so perhap you guys can point me in the right direction on this one...

For a truer frequency response during tracking, mixing and mastering should I...

1) Turn the monitor amps up full and control the gain on my Motu?

OR...

2) Turn the monitor gains less then full and add more gain from the Motu?