Hey Paul, Linux Audio User is probably a more appropriate place to ask, as your question isn't really Ardour specific. Do you need low-latencies? If your *only* recording live gigs, then you can get away with huge latencies no problem... If you want low-latency 8 channel I/O, you're pretty much going to have to stay away from USB gear, there isn't enough bandwidth there to provide high sample-rate multiple channel audio. I will advise the PCMCIA / ExpressCard route with a firewire soundcard. My experiences with the Echo cards is fantastic, and they have an 8 channel-with pre's unit. Its definatly *not* budget though... http://www.echoaudio.com/Products/FireWire/AudioFirePre8/index.php Good luck, -Harry PS: Took the liberty to also sent this to the LAU list On Fri, Sep 30, 2011 at 4:21 PM, Paul Winkler <slinkp(a)gmail.com> wrote: I want at least 8 preamps built-in (convenience and cost trumps quality for me).

Is there any such device? I think there are some USB2 devices on the market, but do we have drivers for any of them? Or could I get a firewire PC card? _______________________________________________ Linux-audio-user mailing list Linux-audio-user(a)lists.linuxaudio.org http://lists.linuxaudio.org/listinfo/linux-audio-user