We are the music makers - producers?

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.

I've just remembered I have a cheap old Behringer 8 channel desk stashed under the sofa-bed. Durrrrrrrr