Depends on what you want, the n8 is a real mixer where as the tascam is a "mixer-style" control surface/audio interface. You can't use the tascam without a computer. Pretty much anything you do with the tascam is going to be in the box. Look at what you need tho, do you need all the midi i/o that the tascam offer, do you need to be able to use the mixer stand alone without a computer, do you have outboard efx that you want to use? Both are good at what they do, neither is a complete POS, you just have to look at the features and see what best suits u. If i say fck that, get the n12, are you gonna do it? Especially if you only have 1 mic and a cd player to hook up? Don't let something silly like cool lookin motorized faders sway you if it won't benefit you at all. Print out the specs for both and X out and check mark what you do and don't want in a mixer, in the end, the one with the most check marks should be your choice.
LevLove