I'll try to keep this brief.
Mic > Pre > Line input
Each of the "Pres" in my rack offer some form of "unique color" (for want of a better explanation)
Any of the mics I use could go straight into the RME pres and work just fine.
LDC, Ribbon, Dynamic; plenty of "clean" gain.
All "coloration" could be done "virtually" in CbB with VST's.
When I was using the L22, the "modeling" software was looking for "matched" pres, and the RME pres were perfect.
There is a block diagram in the RME manuals, for all models I think. (page 116 of the UCX II manual pdf)
HTH,
t