12 Mic would be great, maybe a bit too big.
The Octamic XTC seems no longer available.
Behringer ADA8200 is a low budget alternative that would do the job well.

There is no extra latency from a simple mic preamp adat and these channels will be in Totalmix as before.
For changing a mic preamp gain you have to use another software beside Totalmix.
Octamix XTC and the 12Mic can be both remote controlled via Midi remote application this one :
https://rme-audio.de/downloads/midiremote_mac.zip

> Most affordable would be best.
> Something with at least 2 mic preamps. Will have it go through the ADAT In.

Least expensive is ADA8200 for under €200.

> Need it to be RME so that I can still use Totalmix FX with it

No, simply a preamp that can be connected through ADAT

> Also, with an RME, how much extra latency can I expect?

Transfer through ADAT has no significant/noticeable latency compared to transfer through USB depending on ASIO buffersize or converter latency.
The latency that you will get on top is the converter latency of the connected preamps for A/D (and for D/A if present). But converter latency is compared to RTL over USB much much lower.

See here typical values from one of my blog articles:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ind … 8-RME-UFX/

It has already been pointed out, that ADAT can carry 8 channels at single speed (44.1/48). The ADA8200 is limited to single speed, but gives you everything for a low budget: preamps, line in, line out.

In contrast to that RME's least expensive preamp is a Octamic II for €1279.
Not sure but assume that this exceeds your price range.
But if you want to have a RME preamp, then this would be the least expensive solution to upgrade through ADAT.

If 4 preamps are enough for you as you said, then we can make a cross caluculation.
If you add the cost of BBF Pro FS and Octamic II: €1279+698 = €1977

For a little lower price you could get an UFX II for €1879 with four really fantastic Mic Preamps with 75dB Gain range, that are flexible as they can also be used as line or instrument inputs.

Furthermore a lot of features and possibilities to expand: 2x ADAT, 1x AES, 2 phones outputs, 2x MIDI I/O, DURec, Autoset, Full implementation of FX chip...
Then later maybe an ARC USB on top if you want to have a remote for TM FX control room.

The Focusrite I wouldn't take because its and audio interface, not a preamp.
You pay a lot for a functionality that you do not need.
And I think this preamp has too much limited input gain for that price.

If it would be at least USB, but Thunderbolt makes it unnecessary expensive and narrows the possibilities to connect it to a PC as audio interface, because Thunderbolt based computer are still rare (and also expensive).
Unlike any other PCI/PCIe card Thunderbolt can sadly not be added to a PC by simply plugging a PCIe card, the mainboard/BIOS has to be prepared/designed for Thunderbolt.
RME can send 68ch in and out through USB2 (former product MADIface Pro) and USB2 is present at each PC.

So in short this Focusrite audio interface is in my personal not so good in your case and gives you limited value for the price.

To sum up, in your case you have already a recording interface with USB the BBF Pro.
So you do not need another audio interface, you only need a Mic Preamp alternatively an USB audio interface with 8 Mic Pres that can run in stand-alone mode (USB, so that unlinke TB it doesn't become too exensive).

If you are willed to pay €1000 for such a Focusrite, then you could also think about
- RME OctaMic II
- Audient ASP880

The MOTU 8 Pre USB (USB recording interface with 8 Preamps) has even fewer Gain.

It might be the case, that you need to make the Mic Pre to act as clock master if the mic pre has no ADAT IN port or another digital input which is compatible to the BBF Pro FS. As the BBF Pro FS has no word clock, this is also not an option.
So simply let the preamp be clock master, BBF Pro's SteadyClock technology will eliminate any potential clock jitter anyway reliably.

Or you take the Behringer, simple, isi pisi, cheap.

You will have TM FX effects because the effects work inside the BBF Pro. But remember, BBF Pro FS has only a limited FX section on board for e.g. EQ. FX effects like Reverbs/Dynamic effects are rendered on PC via the RME ASIO driver.

Hi,

Thanks for the clarification. I used to own a Focusrite Scarlett Octopre. Sold that. Glitchy at the time with weird dropouts and pops.

I was looking at the wrong thing. What I should have been looking at was the Clarett Octopre. The Focusrite website is kind confusing. The problem is that it seems to have been discontinued and no longer available. I will check out the refurbished units. Thanks for the info!

Yup. Have the Babyface Pro FS. Just wanted additional Mic inputs added via ADAT to the Babyface. No other features as I am expecting now that I know I can use Totalmix FX on any added Mic Preamp ADAT I use.

For brand new, I think am setting my sight now on either the Behringer or Audient. Will check them out.

Thanks!
Loren

Just an update. Going for an Audient ASP880 instead. Clarett Phantom Power was a limiting 1-4, 5-8 set up and not individually like the Audient. I didn’t want the headaches later on when I start getting mics where Phantom Power might damage the mic and I make a mistake.

Hi Del_Gesu,

Sorry. My knowledge is limited. I understand what you are asking but don’t know of any.

Have you tried searching the RME Products section? Curious. Let us know if you find what you are looking for.

Even more curious, how do you plan on such a device?

Loren