Thanks for the quick reply Roundbadge. Very encouraging.
I have looked into OSA (nice guys to talk to), UA's new 8ch 3 mode thingy, and the Portico. The GAMA is by far the least expensive and most versatile option for a bunch of pre's. Probably the only other thing I can think of that's cheaper is the Presonus M80 with that IDSS knob for a 'tube (read: darkness)' control, but my gut says the GAMA is going to have a better sound with a few tracks mixed together.
I'm sure many of you have experienced the deflation one gets when your song gets played on the radio and it just doesn't sound clean and punchy like the other stuff - so I'm back to the beginning and trying to start with the best possible signal upfront with a bit of that 'fattness/magic' built in. (yes, thanks, I know about mastering, compression, and the whole recording chain...I still think you have to start with a great cohesive sound)
Actually, I found my early mixes murky and lumpy. Great for porridge, crapola for a radio debut. Maybe I should start a new thread about how salesguys will sell you a bunch of stuff that just doesn't sound good together (or good alone in the first place). Yep - use your ears, not your phone to order stuff.
Hell, my biggest gripe was that after 5 vocal comps form the meek, I couldn't tell if it was my SM57 or the AT4050 we'd tracked with - being a complete newbie I wondered why the crap I had spent so much on a condenser when no one could tell in the finished song.
The very patient guys at OSA explained that a decent pre would make the SM57 sound great and a better mic...Hell, Bono still uses a '58, I quickly got the point.
" i like the feel of records made on desks instead of different flavors for every application. - Unseen Hand"
Sounds like a great approach. Might even help to get that cohesive mix with a lot less effort.
All your thoughts/pearls before swine are greatly appreciated.