So, "a friend" is thinking of getting a digital multi track. What features should s/he be considering?

S/he reckons to record "in the studio" but looking for a live sound. Small acoustic band with possibly a couple of guitars and a few voices - minimal overdubbing.

What features are important in your experience? - and I'd prefer experience rather than supposition - although "I don't have xxxx and I really wish I did" is valid.

Some of the less obvious(?) things I guess might be important would be:

• phantom powered XLR inputs for decent condenser mics


• two headphone sockets


• integral CD cutter


• four (or more?)track simultaneous recording


• high quality internal effects

Thanks, in anticipation of the usual erudite Mudlark helpfulness...