Newbie with a Focusrite Scarlett looking for opinions

I have a Focusrite Saffire.... it's about 6 years old now and I know a few other users here also use Focusrite as well.

They are superb interfaces and if my Saffire ever dies I will be at the store same or next day buying the 8i6 for a replacement. 

The Focusrite interfaces have great preamps and also a software control panel where you set the interface up and select default input and output levels as well as some FX that can be applied to the incoming signal in the interface. I keep those levels and FX low.

The majority of the songs I have on my website were recorded using Music Creator 4 with the Focusrite interface. I bought the X1 upgrade a while back so the latest stuff is recorded with X1 essentials on the Focusrite. There is no substantial sonic improvement between MC and X1.... they both give superior sound quality. In other words what goes in is exactly what you hear.

With the Focusrite interface, you get pristine pre-amps so you will not need to use a mixer. Yup, not one of my songs was recorded with a mixer. Mics and guitar POD2 are all straight in to the Focusrite inputs. 

Run it with ASIO drivers and buy MC6 or X1 essentials to get started...( it might now be X2 essentials) but as far as I am concerned....you can not go wrong with MC6 for $50 in the box version. I didn't ever use all of the capabilities of MC4 when I recorded the songs. 

The MC series is called "beginner" software because it has less tracks available (in all my years this has NEVER been a problem) and it limits you to 2 inputs at a time. For a "one man band" or a project studio such as I have, that is not an issue. The specs say the 8i6 has 8 inputs...MC6 allows 2 at a time to be used..... if you need more inputs at the same time, X2  is required. 

Come back here to ask questions...and best of luck to you.... you have a nice interface.

Note: for a properly  formatted post.... use a browser other than Fire Fox.  I use Chrome. 

I do like the spec of the 8i6 but like many others, it may state the number of inputs but they usually never state how many of these inputs can be used at the sa\me time.
 
For example my friend and I may wish to plug in two guitars and rig up two mics on phantom power to record a duet session. This does not seem possible on the 8i6.
 
The makers also include spdif and midi as inputs when really - whay we want to know is how many audio inputs are there and in what configuration.
 
When I buy an 8 input machine I expect just that.
 
Has anyone any differing opinions on this?
 
Thanks

Thats very true. Does anyone have an audio interface that can actually provide phantom power for two mics and also have 2 Hi Z inputs that can be used at the same time?

And if so would they mind sharing the details i.e. make, model etc as i cannot seem to find a 'good' usb one for less than about £250 UK pounds.

I just noticed the Focusrite does not use USB to power it and i really was looking for something that was 'portable'.

Thanks guys.