Re: Debate
You'll be fine. I wrote a message a while ago about everything I wish I knew about the 01v96 when I started but didn't. I'll see if I can find it. I was an 01v user, so I was very comfortable on the platform. I did try to train some other people on it and at first I withheld Studio Manager (SM) because you really should know how to roll without it. However, I found once I got people used to studio manager they were way more comfortable playing with stuff. I'd do both if I was you - once you are comfortable doing something on SM try to make it happen on little screen (or vice-versa). Once you get your head around the layout it's really nothing.
There are still some things I prefer doing within SM (mute groups) and others that I naturally do on the console (pairing/unpairing, etc). You'll find your own flow.
(PS - if your friend wants to dabble in the future tell he to check out the presonus - it's a little less complicated)
(PPS - re cross rentability - I agree with him somewhat. I still own a Mix Wiz and a bunch of little mackies (and a small outboard kit). The reality is that the Mix Wiz can't replace the 01v96 though. You'd need something much larger and LOTS of outboard to make the same show happen. Once you get to that point, the people who care about what they're renting tend to not want either the MixWiz or the 01v96 - preferring larger digital or analogue. For the people who don't know what they're doing to Mixwiz has too many knobs anyways - get a little used mackie 1402 or something if you're worried that you need something for 'volunteer' soundman use or whatever.)
