Your last sentence above is a bad sign but lets keep our fingers crossed. Do I need some weird eight-headed snake cable to plug into each one of those outputs, just so I can hear the entire mix? Am I overlooking something? I was told I could save some bucks, compared to a new one at about $400-$500. If I plugged my outputs to say, #1 and #3, then I only have sound from mics one and three! The only thing I could hear was the #1 and 2 mics. So, I expected to hear sound when I plugged my monitor speakers into outputs one and two. I was told outputs 1 and 2 serve as the "outputs" for the entire board. I have all mics hooked up, #1 to 8.The outputs on the rear are accordingly numbered one through eight. It has eight inputs and eight outputs and here's where I run into trouble. So, I ordered a M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8r. So, I was told the way to go would be to get an eight input interface, which would give me control of each mic. I decided not to go the mixer into the interface route, because I would like to be able to work with the individual stems after recording.
I am attempting to record my acoustic drum set. I believe them to be pretty basic, but have checked user guides, sought advice from "sound engineers", have searched this forum, and even called up some sales people from different stores. First of all, thanks to anyone who answers my questions.