2500, 8 extra outs multitrack monitoring?

Im looking to upgrade to the 2500 and the zoom r16 which has 8 inputs, along with cubase 4.

i want to go 8 mono outs from the 2500 into the 8 inputs of the r16 and playback/monitor realtime all 8 outs AT ONCE in cubase with fx enabled. I DONT WANT TO RECORD with the fx applied in realtime, i just want to be able to MONITOR the 8 tracks coming in and edit fx to individual tracks in cubase. can i do this?

basically i just want to be able to edit fx for each incoming mono sound and test what all the fx and sounds will be like, BEFORE i record...if like the way the fx sound on everything in realtime, i could just turn the fx off and record everything dry, then apply the fx, AFTER all the 8 tracks are recorded in cubase

Why the R16? There are a lot of decent interfaces with 8 inputs that would work.

have people had problems with the r16?

i dont know,,,i've just watched some videos and i liked how the guy was able to control Cubase commands using the buttons on the R16, also he was able to adjust the faders and arm buttons.

Not that I am aware of. I see that you liked the R16's ability to act as a control surface. It is a low cost solution. If you are going to track your 8 outs, then you might want to check on the quality of the R16's converters to see if they sound good enough for you.