Best USB Soundcard

it really depends on your budget and if it's just vocals you want to record.

I use a USB mic, BUT 2 things.. I don't record vocals all the time AND I have a decent enough playback card.. the thing is , you can only normally use 1 asio driver.. so you have to use a USB mic  in MME mode.. which for me is fine enough, as I switch back to asio after

it will allow you to bypasss the onboard mic, sure.

you might find a better option for you is to use a usb card,with a mic input  BUT a normal mic.. and the interface may need phantom power for the mic.

if you do get a USB mic , http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=1618556 might be of help

but regardless , I'd still recommend a better sound card than the on-board and maybe an audio mic..

it depends on you, you live near any pro audio shops? go have a look if you do.. but the USB mic I have does pick up a lot. it was based on an normal audio mic (samson c03)

Hello FOG, I checked out your link and it answered my above question.  I guess I asked my initial question wrong.  It is a USB Soundcard that I need because I have microphones already.  Thanks very much for your input and answer to my question.  Yes, you did a good job with the link you provided.

The best USB sound card in my opinion is the RME Fireface UC.

Will a USB Microphone

 
For petes sake, dont get a USB microphone. There not ready for recording!

The best multi channel is much different than the best stereo interface

Im confused, what you think a stereo interface is? All multi channel interfaces can record and output stereo 

Best" USB soundcard is really open ended.  

You usually get what you pay for. A $1000 interface is going to be better thabn a $200 interface.
To the original poster, Do not get an USB mic. Get an audio interface and a large diaphram condensor mic or even an sm57 mic.
USB mics suck. I dont know how else to put it, but they are not ready for recording
Cj

I recently purchased a Focusrite Sapphire 6 interface (on sale for $149.00) and am extremely satisfied. It's USB powered (no wall warts) and ideal for a laptop.

Go read the Hardware section of this forum where this topic is on going for the last 15 years or more. Asking random opinions in a software forum is a backwards way to do your research.
Also go to an on line music retailers if you click on sort by price you will quickly see the lowest priced interfaces, then start reading up about them.
Be warned , those sites also have reviews but they are mostly people who buy things and don't no how to use it so they go there to complain.
Another good forum for gear is http://www.gearslutz.com/board/

I settled on an Alesis I02.  It cost me $100.  I am very satisfied with it.  If I ever go away from that I would look at the Focusrite Sapphire 6.  Thank You all for your input.  Peace!

A USB mic is not going to solve a cheesy onboard soundcard.

You could get good sound into computer.

a) But you need low latency monitoring of what you record and what you are listening to.
b) and better quality when mixing

Only a proper music soundcard will give you that.
So go with suggestions for soundcard and separate mic.

but it is Windows XP and will not run Sonar 8.5.3.

Really? Sonar 8.5.3 came out before Windows 7 so it ran on XP quite well. 


$2000 for a laptop? That seems awfully high.


Avoid USB mics. 

UA-25EX

Gilly78
 I'm using Cakewalk's UA-25EX and am completely satisfied with it.

It crashes with AMD 1100 processor and win7 64 bit into blue screen.

alesis have no drivers at best..it was the best return ive ever made..brought back a i02 express after i got it home and read the manual which advised asio4all as your drivers