I read about the M8 below...I am in a similar situation

how does the preamps compare to the small 12-16 channel mackies?
If you are forced to use either one for recording which one would you choose?

just came around someone selling a Folio F1 for $200 so I am attracted by the price (since I heard their preamp are pretty decent).

I am just starting out recording on-location for classical musicians as a hobby/side-income, so obviously I could not afford anything in the "over 1K" category. I used to work as a studio assistant as my grad assistantship and had access to the big names like JH's preamps etc but I have never used anything from soundcraft.