Looking to get at 8-channel preamp USB audio interface.

Torn between a Scarlett 4th gen 18i20 vs getting an SSL 12 plus the Behringer ADA8200. I really only NEED 8 preamps, so the extra 4-channels isn't necessarily a perk to the SSL/Behringer option. The biggest perk of the SSL would be flexibility of taking the it mobile if/when needed. Much easier than unracking the 18i20.

18i20 is slicker, neater, better metering, better overall preamp (maybe not vs the SSL but certainly vs the Behringer).

As a note, channels 4-8 would usually be used for line level sources (guitar modeler and synths).


Which way would you go, and why?

I like to have a modular/scalable setups, especially with a portable “head unit”. I use RME Babyface plus Focusrite Saffire as 8 channel I/O+preamps via ADAT, and using it with 10m cables is really cool - i can place I/O anywhere and still have headphones + monitor controller right next to my laptop. Not to mention i can easily leave rack I/O unplugged and still being able to record something and mix anywhere. And i can change ADAT preamps for anything else, and i can plug my laptop at any studio with ADAT…

If one doesn’t need analog IO and is OK with the head unit plus lots of connectivity, the RME Digiface USB has 4x the ADAT and costs half. It’s what I use (plus it’s tiny).

But agreed the Babyface is nice if you want a mobile interface with lots of capability.

I decided to go with the SSL12 for now and if needed, I'll add an 8-channel ADAT box down the road (maybe the Behringer, maybe something better).

Portability and flexibility is important, and if I went with the 18i20 I'd be giving that up entirely. The SSL 12 seems to check all the boxes for me. The vocalstrip and drumstrip plugins it comes with are actually useful to me as well, vs most of the junk software that most interfaces come with.