Getting the most Focusrite 18i20 inputs up and running?

You can expand the number of analog ins and outs (up to the 18 and 20 in the product’s name) by using:

ADAT
Essentially, you would get a second box, typically a similar size to the 18i20. This connects over the light-pipe (fibre optic) connections.
This will give you an additional 8 in, 8 out [assuming you run at 44.1/48kHz sample rate - increasing rate = fewer channels useable].
Obvious products:
Focusrite Octopre
Behringer ADA8200

SPDIF
This will give you up to another 2 in/2 out.
Typically you might have little palm-sized boxes - one for D>A conversion (plugged into your ‘out’) to give 2 analog outs, one for A>D conversion (plugged into your ‘in’) to give 2 analog ins.
Obvious products:
Lindy
Swissonic (Thomann)
[search for ‘spdif a/d’ or ‘spdif d/a’, as needed].

I’d suggest going with ADAT extension in the first instance, then push to Spdif when you need it.