Unless you're recording very quite and exposed music this is a stunning and musically versatile pre-amp. Each channel has independent controls; Phantom Power / 15dB Pad / Mic or Line input / Low Cut / Phase Invert / Insert points / Slow or Fast Compression / classic VU Metering for Input, Gain reduction or Output AND the option of colouring the tone from a clean solid state sound or dialing in a warmer, more, "vintage" tube sound!!
With 4 mic inputs / 4 Hi-Z DI inputs and 4 additional jack inputs (for digital send only) this pre-amp has served me very well when recording artists in the studio, most notably on vocal sounds, drums and guitars. The digital out and variable sample rates are also a real bonus. A great product from Universal Audio!