Hi,

I set up a similar system to yours about 3 years ago and have had loads of fun and released 2 CD's (production runs of 200 and 500. I looked at the Roland VS880 (as it was then) and was very impressed as it offers everything in one box - effects as well. In the end however I went for a seperate Mackie VLZ1604 desk and a Fostex D80 8 track HDD and outboard effects as I thought it offered more flexibility though for 90% of the time you probably don't need it. One thing I think you will need which you haven't mentioned is an analogue compressor. I have found that when recording things like percussion and even guitars and vocals it does improve the recording substantially if used correctly. It may be worthwhile even getting a valve compressor to warm up the sound a bit - tat should make your vocals sound even better - I think Joe Meek make some reasonably priced models. One thing you do learn is that recording can empty your wallet quite quickly!! One thing I would suggest you try is a pair of Tandy (Radio Shack) PZM mikes used a stereo pair for recording guitars. I you place the PZM's about 1m infront of the guitar about 1.5 m apart with your Audio Technica fairly close to the body (not in front of the sound hole though) and pan the PZM's hard left and right you should get a very full but natural guitar sound. Anyway I could chat for hours about recording but I had better go.

Ian