ATSorry to muddy up the waters even more.  Good hunting.

 
Nah.  All good information.  Thanks.
 

Mosvalve
I just upgrade my signal chain as follows: Motu 828MK3 >Warm TB12 ToneBeast Pre >Warm WA76 Comp.
Can't go wrong with the Warm Audio stuff. Soon I am incorporating the Pultec Eq.
 
The pre's on the 828 are nice also. I also use a Presonus D8 Pre as well.

Thanks.  I'm seriously looking at that 828mk3, but also the UltraLite-mk3.  Other than the number of I/O's, I don't see much difference between the two.  The UltraLite is $200 less at Sweetwater.

olemon

Zargg71
Hi. You are probably good to go as you are.
But I have, and would like to suggest a Drawmer MXPRO 60 (front end one), into a RME Ucx.

 
Given the sparse amount of time I spend in the studio these days you may be right:)  The RME gear is too pricey for me.  I'll keep that Drawmer in mind though.
 
p.s.  I guess Drawmer is of the opinion that it's better to Compress before EQ.  Interesting.
 

I usually do not eq or compress much on the way in, but you have a point.
I do not however think you would be disappointed with the MX60.
I just have two outboard preamps, end the MX60 is one of the two.
It was my first "proper" outboard preamp, and it is a keeper
All the best.
Edited for correction.

olemon
I'm limited by the gear I already own and by the money I'm willing to spend, up to $1500 maybe, but I'm considering an improved external signal chain for recording vocals and guitar and being able to use the same hardware as external inserts in SPlat.
 
At the moment I'm thinking that a decent analog mixer with Channel Inserts like the Mackie 1402 VLZ4 or the Allen & Heath ZED14 may work for recording, but the Quad Capture only has a pair of TRS Outputs, so when it comes to using External Inserts with SPlat, that's a problem, isn't it?  The single USB 3.0 on my laptop is dedicated to the external HDD, so a USB 2.0 Interface is required.
 
Existing recording chain:  GAP Pre73 -> FMR RNC (Insert on Pre73) -> Quad Capture
 
Option 1:  GAP Pre73 -> Warm Audio Pultec -> Mixer -> FMR RNC (Insert on Mixer) -> Quad Capture
Option 2:  GAP Pre73 -> Warm Audio Pultec -> Warm Audio WA2A or WA76 -> Quad Capture
Option 3:  GAP Pre73 -> Warm Audio Pultec -> Warm Audio WA2A or WA76 -> New Interface
Option 4:  ???
 
Does one need a pair of external units to process and return a stereo signal?
 
Thanks for your time:)

Unless you're going to spend a lot, your current front-end chain is pretty good.
I'd avoid an external mixer.  The shorter the signal path, the better your ultimate fidelity.
 
If want/need more I/O, I'd look at a higher-end audio interface.
That combined with option 3 from above would be fantastic (especially if you had both LA-2A and 1176).
 
If you didn't already have front-end gear, I'd suggest checking out the Neve Portico II channel strip.
Mic-pre, 4-band EQ, and compressor are all world-class.
Mics that sound "strident" with mediocre preamps suddenly sound large/focused.
The compressor does both softer and more aggressive compression (LA-2A and 1176 ish).
It's a budget buster (~$2750), but the quality/versatility is as good as it gets.
 

Yea Jim, the Portico II  is the most flexible front end I've come across and covers about every function one needs.  It is hard to make it sound bad.  But it costs.

AT
Yea Jim, the Portico II  is the most flexible front end I've come across and covers about every function one needs.  It is hard to make it sound bad.  But it costs.

It's fantastic sounding on DI electric bass too!
I'm trying to find something (significant) I can liquidate to help fund a second.  
 

Thanks for the discussion and recommendations. I haven't bought anything yet, but have set my sights a new and better interface.

Let us know what you end up with, and how you like it. It might help others in your situation.
All the best.

Something to consider for cash spending on upgrades is to spend in this order of impact:

1) talent/instruments/amps/research
2) mics
3) monitors
4) room
5) cabling/connections
6) pre-amp
7) A/D
8) Better power conditioning/cabling


In this order, you'll work toward better results. This assumes you're investing in improvements vs. just starting out. Many times, starting out, even just a cheap, but decent pre-amp is enough to get you through until you've made yourself a better environment (1-5), for example.

brconflict
Something to consider for cash spending on upgrades is to spend in this order of impact:

1) talent/instruments/amps/research
2) mics
3) monitors
4) room
5) cabling/connections
6) pre-amp
7) A/D
8) Better power conditioning/cabling


In this order, you'll work toward better results. This assumes you're investing in improvements vs. just starting out. Many times, starting out, even just a cheap, but decent pre-amp is enough to get you through until you've made yourself a better environment (1-5), for example.

 
Sound advice, pun intended.  So far, the cash remains in my pocket....