What USB soundcard should I buy for SONAR X2 music production?

Hello there!

I am actually making music using SONAR X2 Producer Edition and I mainly compose Epic Orchestral Scores (like we hear in movies). Since I am on a Dell laptop with a stock Realtek HD audio soundcard, I wanted to upgrade in order to get a better sound quality, less latency and plenty of other cool features.

I heard about SoundBlaster cards as well as M-Audio cards (I can be anything, I'm just suggesting!). I want something easy to use but still with lots of features. At least one 1/4 audio jack slot is also a minimum in my opinion.

Any recommendations? Feel free to share your opinions! Thank you very much everyone!!
P.S: NOT TOO EXPENSIVE PLZ :P

57Gregy
Welcome to the forum.
You can't go wrong with Focusrite.

Since I'm rather tight on budget, would this be a great idea?
 
global.focusrite[dot]com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-2i2/specifications
 
If yes, is 2in/2out enough for a novice user?
 
Thank you very much

Well I think that 2in/2out is gonna be all right since I mostly need to record guitar and bass. I don't know much about the other specs though, so I'm not sure if this USB interface is as good as it looks like. It would be awesome if someone knowledgeable could take a look at it :)
 
global.focusrite[dot]com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-2i2/specifications

Allright! I'm going to find a Focusrite dealer in my Province or I'll get it from Ebay/Amazon/Musiciansfriend. Thank you very much everyone, especially you Greg!
 
Topic resolved.

There's Roland interfaces also, others.
http://www.sweetwater.com/shop/computer-audio/audio_interfaces/
 
Just one place amongst many. And it is called an audio/interface. I record in stereo everything so two inputs are always needed for me with my synthesizer.
 
USB:
http://www.sweetwater.com/c695--USB_Audio_Interfaces
 
Both expensive and cheaper for various reasons such as number of inputs, outputs and all the other stuff that goes along with needs and uses. Of course I use mine for playing music through the computer also instead of a cheap soundcard. Had one of those, they don't work as well (at least in my opinion.)
And yes I have some crappy videos up with a Sound blaster type and the expensive new one I bought.
And first and last of all you have to love the sound you get out of it, and of course there are the other options you may get later like, channel strips and other preamps for microphones and such to help with the sound. Otherwise you may have to edit more in the DAW with EQ's given and Compression given in the DAW if it has that to begin with, and soft synths from the DAW if you use those. I do not so far so I am just changing things around all the time anyway to learn to record better.
http://www.youtube.com/user/grumpalf
in which case I should do some songs over, but then I am not in it for the money, just a hobby.
I really like my RME though, but it costs more also. Of course there are other manufacturers and looking through there are reviews also from people who bought the unit also.
 
 

For whats it worth Alpha, i use an M-audio Fast track. It has two inputs which is fine for me as i record alone so am only ever using just one input.
One thing i notice about the M audio though is it seems to crash Sonar if left plugged in say overnight. The sonar exe doesn't even close from task manager and the laptop needs to be rebooted.   But once you get used to pulling the USB cable when you done for the night its fine. 
Welcome to the forum by the way. 

TheBadger
Hi,
 
I am going to add my two cents in here.    If your running a Dell computer  STAY AWAY FROM FOCUSRITE !!!!!!!
 
It IS great equipment, but the firewire controller that Dell uses is incompatible with thier products.    I had a Sapphire Pro40 and was a beautiful unit, but would never work with ANY of my Dell computers.    Works great with my custom tower though.
 

the Focurite 2i2 is a USB connected interface, how does Dell's firewire controller make it incompatible?