(at least) 8 channel mixer advice

Up until now I've been using a simple 3 channel DJ mixer (Stanton RM-THREE to be exact) for sound going to and from my turntables, MPC2000XL, monitors (reciever actually ) and my Mbox1. I'm not feelin the MPC's internal mixer any longer, and I'm starting preparation for expanding (MPC 8 out/possible modules down the line). I'm stuck between a couple choices (tweakheadz.com has been invaluable). Trying to stay around $200 FYI.

#1 Peavey PV10 $219.95 http://www.zzounds.com/item--PEVPV10
Very basic, and the right price.

#2 Yamaha MG124 $199.95 http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMMG124
12 channels, seems to have more features (I'm not very technical with mixing) and is cheaper!

#3 Yamaha MG124FX with DFX $266.95 http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMMG124FX
same type of thing, but with effects built in.... dont know if for me that would be worth the extra money...but since now i have no effects in my MPC2000XL it might be.. but i also dont have 8 outs... and i wouldnt want effects on my entire mix... know what im sayin? I could always just record a single sample with the effect through the mixer, and RE-sample into my MPC right? Anyone have experience with Yamaha effects?

The guy who runs that website seems to really like Yamaha. My keyboard is (old) a Yamaha, and seems fine, but I know that for the most part with this kind of equipment you get what you pay for, so which would you guys pick? or do you have a better choice? I'm leaning towards the yamaha MG124.

Another small issue i was running into... Obviously these mixers do not have a crossfader, so what if i want to scratch in a future recording? I will be running a turntable in on one of the sets of RCA's on this new mixer so there really isnt anyway to leave the DJ mixer in my system without running a separate turntable, or having to change cables right? What do you guys do to combat this?

Thanks for the help! this ish is so much fun!!!!

maybe i need to rephrase my question, what kind of mixers do you guys have? how many channels would you consider being an intellegent choice if ill be expanding later?

couldn't you plug the dj mixer into one of the larger mixer's inputs? that way you would have the best of both worlds.

hope this helps.

that is true, but then i run into whether i should run my turntables RCA's through the DJ mixer or the bigger mixer, because i am under the impression that daisy chaining would muck up the sound some? wouldnt having a dedicated mixer sound cleaner? or maybe it doesnt matter. plus having a turntable, 2 mixers, my powerbook, and my MPC on one desk would be kinda cumbersome..

thanks for the reply

you're right it would add noise to the signal, though a dj mixer with a digital out would solve that. you are more likely to notice a difference in the quality of the signal if you use a better/worse preamp though, as this is where the amplification takes place. also, if the dj mixer has balanced outs and the larger mixer has balanced ins, you're laughing, because very little noise (as in you won't able to hear the difference) will be added by using the dj mixer plugged into the larger one. try it and see how you get on, though yes, i agree, you will have space issues!

hope this helps.