Group outputs or direct outs?

[soulbrother]

Hello there,
I'm updating my current studio set-up (Tascam US-428 into laptop with Cubase) because I want to be able to record more tracks at once. I'm thinking about getting a good mixer and an m-audio delta 1010 interface (obviously with a new computer - pci slots). I want to go into the channel and out into the interface. However, I'm not sure whats the best way to do this. Should I be looking for a mixer with 8 group outputs so I can bus the incoming audio that way, or will a mixer with direct outs on each channel do exactly the same thing? I guess groups are more flexible, but the mixers are more expensive and physically bigger. The mixer that caught my eye is the Mackie Onyx 1640 which has 4 bus outputs and also direct outs on every channel. I know Mackie are a good make, but has anyone got any other suggestions for good studio mixers that will do what I want?
Thanks in advance for any help with this!

 

[mixsit]

You're basically trading the convince of some switch-routing via the sub group assignment Vs a little shorter path. A patch bay is another option. I used to come direct out of a 24-8 with some short eight-ch. snakes directly to the converters and now do the same with stand-alone pres. That works well and is short as it gets. Set-up time is a bit slower but it's works fine here since I'm typically doing one band at a time here.
So it can depend quite a bit on how you'll be working.
Wayne