Bryan,
        What you want is a mixer with per channel direct outs.  I believe
Behringer has an 8 channel with direct outs for $250 US.  You can buy a
cheap Behringer two channel mixer and pan the outputs from each track
full left and right and then use the L/R outputs as input to two of your
channels.  I actually have one of these little $60 wonders around and
that works fine.  I also recently bought an Art TPS (Tube Preamp
System).  This is a two channel tube mic/instrument preamp.  It cost
$180 US and I use it with my condenser mics to warm things up a bit.  I
also use it live for my vocals and harp.  It's not the greatest but it's
not bad.
Jan
On Mon, 2003-03-31 at 15:31, Bryan Koschmann - GKT wrote:
  Hello,
 I'm am sure this is off topic but I am desparately seeking help.
 I am trying to figure out how the mixer/preamp/input card will coincide
 with each other.
 If I have a card with 4 inputs (either midiman digital or SB lives), I
 will be needing preamps. I looked at the M-Audio Audio Buddy, which seems
 like it simply has 2 XLR inputs and 2 1/4" outputs. That part is
 straightforward and I understand.
 However, I was looking at mixers and I got lost. I looked at a Eurorack
 (cant remember which model) for around $170. It had 4 XLR inputs, and the
 box said it had 4 mic preamp inputs. But, how do the outputs work? I was
 looking for 4 1/4" jacks marked "output 1" "output 2" and so
forth. Where
 am I lost?
 Please forgive me for asking such newbie questions. I simply do not know
 where else to turn. I've searched the net high and low and didn't find the
 answers.
 Thank you very much in advance,
        Bryan