I would like to be able to monitor a handful of synths as cleanly as possible. No eq or color wanted or needed. And then I would like to send which ever signal(s) I want to a sperate bus for recording through my audio interface.
Which would be the best options with priority for no audio degradation and small footprint (still usable UI)
If you mean 8 stereo pairs of channels, then the Ashly LX-308B is your best bet (expensive new but used often under $400)… but if you want more channels, more routing options and best sound quality I would look at Speck line mixers. One is in the F/S section rather cheap right now:
https://www.elektronauts.com/t/fs-us-speck-xtramix-compact-ultra-clean-line-mixer-1000/219415
Thanks!
The Xtramix would be the dream - and that looks nice buy US and I’m in EU 
The Ashly LX-308B - I’m not sure I understand. Can it output a separate submix of one or more of the stereo pairs?
Not really a separate submix but a duplicated mix with the Sub Outs… it would be awesome if it had something like Mackie’s Alt 3/4 Bus to take channels out of the mix and send it somewhere else. As it is you have to mute channels to not be recorded.
Ok yeah that’s what I got from skimming the manual. Yeah I would really like a an “alt bus” kind of solution like Mackie or some SSL
Yeah unfortunately multi-bus mixers tend to have things like EQs, sends etc.
How about the Tascam LM-8ST?
the Speck X.Sum is actually a great option, if you just want clean/high-headroom mixing and a separate mix buss. you get 16 stereo channels that are also switchable to mono. there’s a button to choose whether each goes to the main or the B buss. sounds similar to what you’re after; just send the B buss to your audio interface.
also when I had one I’d combine mono sources together on one channel that was set to mono. so technically you can mix 32 mono sources with it.
Will have a look thanks.
Tascam LM-8ST is great if you are cool with fussy little knobs with no detents. I use it to expand my SSL Big Six. I run the A and B busses into different stereo channels on the SSL and it’s clean and flexible.