We are the music makers - producers?

Only 2 XLR inputs.

I need to record 4 simultaneous analogue XLR inputs with phantom power.

May be easier to use an analogue mixer like a small Mackie as a pre-amp, sort out gain etc, then send to line inputs of an interface? Or spend more on something like the Focusrite ISA 428, which I haz and it's very nice, but pricey.