Replacing my d8b - recommendations?

[Varuna]

Hello gents,
I've been limping along with my d8b for the last few years, occasionally taking it apart and spraying all the ribbon connectors, etc. I knew its days were numbered. I'm going to be moving my studio in the next few months and I'd like to take the opportunity to replace the very aging d8b with something current that offers all the things I love about the d8b, which include:

24 bit lightpipe connection to my HDR 2496 (I do not plan to replace that just yet)
Good sounding built-in library of compression, eq, delay, reverb, de-ess, etc.
Moving faders
Mix automation (can be PC hosted, but must be integrated like Mackie's is)
Ability to display the unit's video on as big of a monitor as I want

In my search, I came up with 2 contenders, each of which has a big miss in the requirements department. I like the Behringer X32, but it lacks any automation software, and video output, and the Presonus StudioLive doesn't have moving faders.

I'd like to ask the assembled wisdom here if I'm missing anything out in the market that would fit the bill. I'm kind of hoping Presonus or Behringer will announce some new kit at the NAMM show this month that will solve this.

Thanks for your ideas!
Roy

[the boss]

Behringer....? No.
Yamaha 01v96 or 02v96.
Midas...: of some kind.

IF Behringer you'll get what you pay for in quality, that's my opinion.

[Varuna]

I checked out the Yamaha 02R96 - it does tick all of the boxes, thanks for your input. The one thing that worries me about the Yamaha is the PC software was last updated 4 years ago, so it might have problems with Windows 8 or 10.

There is a Midas board that is essentially the X32 with Midas packaging, but as far as I can tell, it also lacks automation. I'm totally loving the Mackie's automation editing capabilities, and I don't want to lose that with this upgrade.

Thanks again!
Roy

[Crash]

Keeping the HDR in the picture really hamstrings your choices. I know the day is coming when I am going to have to make a move as well and I don't look forward to it either. I like mixing and recording...not worrying about what is gonna happen on my next OS update. The Raven MTXII really looks interesting to me but it also terrifies me to enter the full on computer realm of recording. I know the HDR is essentially a computer as is the d8b in many ways but I cringe at the thought of making the move.... I'll be interested to see where you land.

[hyaena]

I moved to the DM2000, as I could acquire a used one that only needed some tech´s inspectation regarding the Master DigIn/Out. The automation is very similar to what I knew from the d8b. And I love the 6 slots with endless count of connections to the outside world - as I have some analogue gear to connect. The only thing I miss a lot is the big fat screen of the d8b.
About the PC software, you are talking about Studio Manager, to take control over the setup from outside the console ?
Why not have a laptop running on an old system like XP or Win7 ? You don´t need a connection to the net, so don´t worry about a system that´s no longer supported (sounds familiar ?). It works.

Just my 2 cents.
Manfred.

[hyaena]

And let me add one more thing:
In Yamaha there is no such fore as still is for the d8b !
Yamahy users seem to be a crowd of their own.

I miss you, folks !
Manfred.

[FrankH]

If I ever have to replace my D8B with something else....this would be it, hands down.

http://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/gs-r24/

[anyhorizon]

If I ever have to replace my D8B with something else....this would be it, hands down.

http://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/gs-r24/

Agree, Frank. 'twould see me out.

Peter

[Crash]

If I ever have to replace my D8B with something else....this would be it, hands down.

http://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/gs-r24/

I completely forgot about that little beast...

[FrankH]

Yep, it's got just about everything you could need in a modern DAW-centric studio...particularly all the lovely little I/O routing schemes available. The more I looked into this the more I appreciated how A&H covered the bases with this thing.