recording synths

I don't think that is very proper way?

Most of the time people just feed their synths into a mixer small or big, EQ them there and then it goes to the computer or recorder or whatever.

As far as I know, it depends on the output signal of the synth and the input level of the interface whether you need a preamp. A dx7 for instance is -10db unbalanced, a jx8p or juno106 can be switched to L/M/H (which I believe is -10, 0 and +4, but I could be very wrong), a Nord Lead is line (+4db)...
As for consoles, you don't need a big console, there's small consoles with mic pre's as well, like the Mackie 1402 and such, although there's a big difference in the (noise-) quality of mic pre's...

Would be interesting to hear some opinions about this, it's not something you always considder (at least I don't).

Didn't you get an ADA8000 recently?   You could use those pres to give a bump before hitting your interface, no?

about the clavia issue, i don't know really if they're louder.. a friend of mine always complains that his Modular G2 has so little output volume, compared e.g his juno106

to OP: maybe consider geting a rackmount channelstrip if you overdub a lot.. won't help you tho if you want to record all synths at once

Any preamp will make the job,
you could try the electro harmonix 2ube,
it's cheap and can boost as high as you want,
it's tube and when driven hot distorts really nice, but watch out if you're looking for something totally transparent (if you could notice a cr1604 in the signal path )

imho don-t waste money on some high end preamp if you're just using it with synths...

whoever told you DI and mic pre is the proper way to record synths directly is getting very confused with instrument level (like an electric guitar) and line level (like a synth)

A DI might help with providing a nice high impedance for some wonky old guitar pickup, but any line level synth should have plenty of juice for a line level recording input, if you turn the output volume up.

if you really want 8 channels of amplification, then get a smallish 8 channel mixer with direct outs on the input channels. that'll give you all the gain you need, and much more. and with any luck the channel direct outs will be post EQ, so you'll get EQ for your recording inputs too...

clavia are damn quiet thats for sure. I always record it raw into the pc and then boost it with simple +gain plugins or maybe something more robust like an amp emulator. my rule of thumb is always record the sound as it comes out of the synth without anything in between.

embrace the stray crackle in the abyss of reverb

if you do it like this, the do it right and run the synth or drum machine through a big guitar or bass amp, then mike it properly and record...

i used to play my ms10 through a guitar amp in a band many, many years ago, and it makes the thing even nastier than it already is..

I've been reading quite a bit in the last few days about this, It seems there are no perfect solutions.

Synth output levels vary greatly from each other, but it's apparently pretty common that synths have a  too high impedance for a simple line input and can benefit from direct input + preamplification.
Some synths have a line level and don't need any help to be at the optimal signal level.

In any case using a DI and preamp can add colour and control over the sound, that can also raise the noise floor of the synths.

This is what I understood from my research, If someone can add to this or correct me, go ahead.
Especially with regards to signal impedance and such, I'm not 100% clear on this yet

I've decided to find a decent rackmount mixer with individual outputs to take care of the levels.