Mixer options with 8-out 2000xl, into logic.

I've got a 2kxl with the 8-out upgrade and my goal is to have 8 channels (tracks) in the MPC going to 8 channels on a mixer, where mix can be done, effects sends and returns (to outboard reverb, distortion, etc) added, and hopefully direct input for guitar/bass/mics which will then go to 8 channels (or more depending on which mixer I choose) in Logic 8 (or another DAW if I have to) .
My questions are
A)is it possible?
B) which mixer should I go with? I've been looking at the Phonic Helix firewire/USB, Behringer XynyxFX USB, Mackie ProFX USB, and Alesis MultiMix 8 USB mainly.

does any one have any experience with any of these mixers, or a similar set up/different mixer suggestions. All of these are in the $250-400 range and have 8-12 channels, built in effects, USB interface, and have pros and cons. If Im reading correctly though, only the Alesis ($299) sends more than 2 channels of audio signal over the USB, it sends ten, which is really what Im looking for, so that once in logic, tracks are separated and Ill have more flexibility. However Ive heard negative things/had problems with latency and lousy/noisy signal thru USB and Im trying to keep my set up as Low noise as possible, the FireWire option on the Phonic Helix is a huge turn on. Any opinions?

Thanks in advance!

edit: the Phonic Helix board also boasts 10 independent channels of output to your DAW. let's see if any further reading of online reviews uncovers any more errors in my original post...

Choose a firewire interface/ mixer if your budget allows, a much better experience for audio applications than USB.

Consider ten analogue inputs as a minimum, so you can also use your MPC main outputs and/ or the individual outputs.

Other factors to consider:

1. Desktop control surface

2. Rackmounted interface unit

3. Portable unit for laptops

4. Firewire or USB

5. With or without built-in FX/ EQ

6. Midi I/O

7. Digital I/O

You gotta be careful with those USB/Firewire mixers as well...sometimes they only allow you access to the main outs digitally...not always all channels.

You could do this with an analog mixer with direct outs and inserts on each track. Each of the outs for each channel would then go to an input on your interface.

The Edirol FA-101 is a pretty sound Firewire mixer...10in/10out they claim but two of those are digital...so it's really 8/8. It works very good though for line-level signal.

You can even get by without the mixer if you do your mixing in logic. You could send all 8 outs of the MPC into the Edirol and mix within logic, and that would be simple.

Also, in your example, the sends would need to go somewhere besides the 8 channels you are talking about...so you would need to have 8 channels for direct tracks, and another main mix/aux mix for the fx to come through, if you are running them outboard.

Consider if you really need all those channels though...I get by pretty good with 4 out of the MPC and that leaves at least 4 more channels to do what I want with.

thanks for the help,
Im still weighing my options... talking to my lab tech in my sound engineering course for help to. The edirol looks nice, but unless I'm mistaken it is just a firewire audio interface, and the Phonic Helix board (only about 20 bucks more) has firewire interface capabilities, as well as the on board mixing, AUX sends and returns, on board effects (though whether or not they're good may be another story), and "10 separate output paths" but you're saying the problem may be I may not be able to EDIT each of the individual output channels once in Logic?

And Im talking about AUDIO signal, Ill just take care of all the MIDI portion in the MPC (sequencing.)
I have another control surface for MIDI triggering in junction with the computer.

*double post*

I've never heard about that mixer before, but like you said, this:

sending up to 10 independent channels of audio to computer

...is reassuring that you can actually get all those channels independently in logic.

If you can get them into logic you will def be able to edit them.

I'm just saying do pay attention to that, because it is kind of a make-or-break feature that can be marketed in a misleading way.

Sounds like a good find.

EDIT: Looking at the Phonic Helix 12 (which is $400, so I'm assuming that's what you were talking about), you wont be able to do all 8 channels in EXACTLY as you want. The last four channels are actually stereo pairs. True, you can separate these pairs later in software, but as far as the mixing surface goes, those channels will be linked by all channel routing (gains, sends, etc).

That's the kind of stuff you got to watch for. The '10 channels' is probably, maybe, the 4 mono, 2 stereo pairs, and a master stereo pair. It could just as easily be 4 mono, main stereo pair, aux stereo pair, and the 'mute-group' stereo pair. Just something to consider. The '18' is $600 but is much more likely to behave like you are looking for.