1. The 8-Bus was designed from the start to fit the needs of both live and recording applications.

2. All six aux sends can be switched to be pre-fader, switched in pairs. Also, the Mix-B section can pick the pre-fader channel signal as its source, for a total of 7 independently controlled monitor feeds.

3. The path of the channel signal is: tape or mic/line preamp, insert, EQ, fader, mute, pan, then assign switches 1-8 and L/R. There is no switch or modification to move the assign point to pre-fader, since you would lose your pan settings, and the previously mentioned fact that you already have 7 pre-fader sends at your fingertips. Besides, post-fader 1-8 busses are mighty handy in live work for creating submixes, no?