JeffTD
Senhor Testiculo
Metalkingdom - how are the stock pre's on the Saffire? I'm pretty much sold on it, I'd say, from the rest of the info you've given.
I should add here... you said you wanted something with 12 mic inputs... all the things people are recommending like the SF pro are only 8 mic inputs. The saffire has 8 mic/line inputs, and 2 channels of ADAT, which means you'd still need to buy another 8-channel convertor and mic pres. The other option is using a desk with a firewire interface. Dunno how much they cost over there, but the Mackie Onyx is great, I've spent some time on it. That's 16 pres, which are way better than the saffire, and 16 channels of really nice analogue EQ as well.
Metalkingdom - how are the stock pre's on the Saffire? I'm pretty much sold on it, I'd say, from the rest of the info you've given.
And yes, I think the onyx pres are way nicer than the focusrite! Cleaner, richer, and without that bland platinum series sound.
SF Pro isn't platinum series.
The pres are straight out of an octopre LE. Not only do focusrite say that, but I've recorded with both side by side in a rack and they sound the same.