Recording Preamp Shootout | Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 vs Warm Audio WA12 vs Audient iD44

I wanted to see whether using more expensive preamps on a recording really makes a difference, so I recorded the exact same song three times through three different preamps. Each instrument was recorded one at a time so they could all use the exact same preamp, and hopefully by the end any tonal differences would add up to a noticeable change in the final product.
The red clips are recorded through one channel of the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (3rd gen), using its built in preamps.
The gray clips are recorded through one channel of the Audient iD44, with its Console Mic Preamp, which is supposed to be higher end than the Focusrite Scarlett ones.
The orange clips are recorded through an outboard mic pre, the Warm Audio WA12 Mk. II. This is a mic pre only, not an interface, so I patched it into the return of the Audient unit so it would use the converters from the Audient but not be colored by its preamp at all. That way all you're hearing is the Warm Audio pre and not any coloration from the interface.
Obviously no two takes are exactly the same but I recorded each part back to back (acoustic through each pre, then banjo through each pre, etc) so I could remember exactly what I'd played and the instrument, mic, and positioning could be the same as much as possible.
I mixed the final song and then copied the mix settings to each of the others, so everything got processed the same in post.
The song in question, by the way, is Jimmy Eat World's "A Praise Chorus" but arranged like an indie folk song.
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Unless I state otherwise in the video, everything I test out on here is stuff that I bought myself. There are no paid reviews on this channel and only a couple times have I ever had items sent to me for review. All opinions are my own!
AMAZON LINKS FOR THE GEAR IN THIS VIDEO:
(These are affiliate links so if you buy something, I may earn a small commission)
Preamps used:
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20: amzn.to/4cfoRsb
Audient iD44: amzn.to/3VFl420
Warm Audio WA12: amzn.to/4c9giPE
Microphones used:
AKG C451b: amzn.to/3zaAYZ6
Shure SM57: amzn.to/4aZ2kyU
Shure SM7b: amzn.to/3VIx42Q
AKG D112: amzn.to/4clpD6P
Instruments used:
Rhythm electric is a Fender JA-90: amzn.to/3Kd9LJ7
Lead electric is a Fender MIM Strat: amzn.to/3VGgtwz
My amp is the Strymon Iridium: amzn.to/3E5WduM
Banjo is a Gold Tone CC-100+: amzn.to/3KHAa0z
Bass is a Fender MIM Precision: amzn.to/3KGJQIM
Acoustic is an Eastman AC422ce: amzn.to/4bOsUvL
Mandolin is an Eastman MD315: amzn.to/45nsrOI