Straight up quality

It's one thing to have 8 channels of preamps in two rack spaces, it's another to have 'pro' Focusrite gear in those same spaces at a reasonable cost. My Isa 828 gets used mainly for drums (sounds very solid), but with the flexibility it offers in inputs, gains, and resistances on input signal, it can adapt well to almost any task. Worth every cent.

A Great Solution for Recording Drums the Right Way

I was in need of 8 solid pres to raise the bar in recording quality sounding drums. Obviously, you need great drums and a great drummer for quality drums, but great mics and a great set of pres sure help. These pres sound very clean, warm, and transparent. The variable impedence settings allow so much flexibility in maximizing a mics positive characteristics. You would be searching for a long time and to no avail if you were looking for 8 channels that sound as good as these and that cost the same amount. I have a Great River ME-1NV, which is my go-to mic pre, but sometimes I find I need a cleaner sound, which always makes me smile that I have my ISA828.

Make your drums and your drummer smile. Get an ISA 828...unless of course you have tones of cash...like $4000 or more, because that's what it will cost you to find 8 channels that are better than the 828's.