The home studio is so my band can produce our own songs ourselves (make an EP) rather than paying someone to let us use their equiptment. Our budget is around $1000-$1,500 but ofcourse if it's cheap and works just as good we will take the cheap stuff. As far as the mixers/sequencers go I really have no knowledge about them past their basic use (other band members do) so it's more that I have read through forums and made a list of whats needed but more likely I won't be the one purchasing them because I know ill end up getting a P.O.S.