Also...

You could go for real High End stuff

Like Lynx Aurora and buy some 500series pre's like NEVE, API, SSL...

If you have the money
That is really awsome and hard to beat

 

I heard that if you disconnect the firewire cable while it is plugged it it will kill the Pro 40.

The focusrite Scarlett 18i20 is a great device. I went with the fire wire inter phase since I wanted the better through put for audio, USB not as fast as firewire for transfer data.

 

The New Clarett Range products line by Focusrite will be a better option than the Sapphire and Scarlet models
http://us.focusrite.com/clarett-range

Still the Forte is a great underated sounddevice
http://us.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/forte


PeaceR

 

Notice that the Clarett Pre 8 which is supposedly like my Pro 40 they have removed the pad button on channel 1 and 2. Yes I have used it in recording to a hot signal and to get the signal under control.

 

I couldn't use the clarett range as I've only got one thunderbolt port on my MacBook Pro and I use that for my display screen . That's why I considered the saffire range being FireWire but then I heard bad things about the ports blowing and plus I use my FireWire port for recording my sessions to on my LaCie Porsche drive . The forte sound card doesn't have enough inputs or outputs for me That's why I opted for the Scarlett 18i20 with the octopre mk2 . I'm happy with this setup as I have the option to add more ins/outs through the adt as my studio grows and It was a good price at £555 for the pair. It was the cheapest I could find it anywhere online. I did think about the muto ultralite mk3 hybrid sound card but I've got midi express 128 and I've had nothing but problems with it loosing connection , I have to keep unplugging and plugging in the USB to get the connection working. The Scarlett has won my vote . Thanks everyone for the advice

 

Yep and it is in the software driver that comes with it...
You can push that virtual button and get still your beloved pad

PeaceR

 

My Focusrite Forte is still doing it`s job.

 

That is good they still have it. Is it still only on 2 channels?

 

Yep...that's right