Recommended external interface (hub)?

Hello all!
Probably some threads for this already and tried to search but looking for 'current' info...(please)
What external (hub) device do you recommend using with Sonar Studio Pro?  (I only have a Yamaha usb (Audiogram6) but it is somewhat loud (feedback)... what tool that keeps progressing with the time and sonar would you recommend investing for semi-pro recording and above? :)  (hopefully less than 1,000 dollars! if any?)
there are so many $100-200 devices out there but they all add some level of noise/cracking/white noise/even delay, etc.. and I would like to start saving for something a little more decent.. I noticed the pc can add quite the cracking too hence hesitating to buy a whole new pc and keep the software but perhaps a better external hub may help? (my pc is not that bad).  The Yamaha usb Audiogram6 is actually not bad for its price too but quality of sound is debatable... (once I bought a soundblaster internal card/external hub which seemed great but my pc was too slow for it and couldn't use it :(... im ready to invest again...) any info or links to other threads is greatly appreciated...!!!
I record all digital (I don't do much fancy stuff) just need a 1/4 I can plug in all instruments and I will be happy! (guitar, bass, drums & mic)... hopefully something with 4 ports at least so I don't have to play the switcheroo game...
thanks all, keep on rockin'.
This software is great and have so much to learn about it...!
pb
 
 

RME has a great rep. They are somewhat above the "my first interface" models you mention, it sounds like their BabyFace or Fireface UC might fit your bill for sub 1k yet very high quality. Their drivers are super stable and achieve very low latency. People on here also seem to like the Focusrite Saffire interfaces (also for small input counts) or the larger Scarlett ones (cheaper series but higher input counts and better features than the small Scarlett ones). MOTU is also decent but a little more focused on Mac. I would rate RME above both but it's more expensive for similar products, and plenty of people are happy with MOTU and Focusrite too.

It really depends upon what you are using the interface for.  If you plan on doing "band" recordings at home, including drums, you'll need a higher input count.  These usually come in even increments up to 8, and then jump to 16.  You'll pay more for more, of course, from the same manufacturer.  If you only record stereo or mono tracks, 2 ins/outs will work.  Note, it is nice to have a digital in/out if you go for a low track count in case you need or decide to expand your set up later.  You can add a separate ADDA cheaper than a new interface.  ADAT connections gives 8 or 4 in/outs, while Spdif or AES are stereo.
 
If you need to do multiple tracks at once, band recording, Focusrite seems to be the flavor of the month.  Lots of people here use them.  Good quality, good price for performance.  Roland interfaces were popular when Cake was w/ Roland and even rebranded some of their hardware as Cakewalk.  Presonus is another good brand in the low end.  The converters are all good - the preamps good too.  At the low end, there is not going to be a lot of difference in sound between one $200 unit and another brand (the same actually goes for the more expensive stuff, too).  What is important is the drivers.  On the PC, wildly different components are used and it is impossible to account for your specific computer.  One interface might work fine on 99 computers, but that doesn't do you any good if you are the one it doesn't work w/.  Work w/ a respectable seller, so you can take back your X model and exchange it for Y.  Unless you like spending your time w/ your new interface tweaking the computer.
 
Multiple in/out units of quality are a bit harder to find.  I've used a TC Konnekt 48 for years.  Great sound, plenty of in/outs, DSP (including great reverb).  It is FW, and tho the drivers used to suck, they have got them to work well.  Not great, but well.  In fact, they just released their latest candidate last month, so it ain't an orphan.  Their newer Twin model is a 4X4, which is a nice compromise and has ADAT.  TC is a step up in sound, right up there w/ RME.  There reputation suffered because of faulty drivers, but I got my unit at less than 1/2 price because of that.
 
Up a level in price (and quality) are RME, Lynx and a lot of boutique manufacturers.  RME hardware is good, and their drivers are superb.  Lynx has sold as many CDs as anyone but Apogee.  There are also a number of "premium" stereo interfaces coming out.  These use better internal components for the hardware and preamps.  The Focusrite Forte is one of these and I know there are a few users here, same for the Babyface.  Crimson has a unit and I tried the new Tascam UH-7000.  The latter has excellent conversion and stellar preamps.  The drivers are a bit slow on my computer, which I haven't tweaked for USB, but about 11 ms roundtrip (and like every interface I know) has a(n almost) 0 latency mixer.  The only other bummer w/ the unit is no inserts, so you can't put a comp or EQ before conversion.  But the sound is great.  I took it to one of the major studios in Dallas and the owner was blown away by the preamps at the price.  And we didn't know it at the time (I looked at the schematics when I got home) but the preamps were passing through the converters.  You can get a non-compromised sound for $600 or so.   I prefer transformer based preamps (and in everything else!), but I wouldn't think twice about Tascams.  I'm sure the same is true for the Forté etc. 
 
For under $1000 there are plenty of great options for most situations.

Thank you guys! this is great! and I have some research to do :) should have been more specific with the 'HUB' lol yes, Audio Interface should be the proper name :) I use e-drums but playing with addictive drums (which is awesome)... but I'm kind of old school and for playing so many years (20+ now) im still very much ignorant in all the new stuff/settings/drivers/methods to record... I like invest my time in playing mostly (rock songs/other and I attempt to play all instruments now (since collaborating with anyone takes too much time so: guitars, bass, synth, edrums, voice...).. but previous self efforts to record have ended in agony lol (I like recording more now that it doesn't sound as bad but takes sooo long, I just want to play and record! give me a tape player with the red button lol (press both down yea! mix tapes, good old days) ...all equipment (interfaces) I have used in the past have been noisy... delay came in effect and noticed having really good cables help a lot!
I will look into those interfaces. my pc is a win7 pro 64bit quad cpu  8GB RAM. indeed the Yamaha  interface is good but for microphones (either) is terrible; the background 'static' noise is bad, I have to erase all 'silences' otherwise a couple voices creates an dishonorable discharge! (static or whitenoise)... but better than past interfaces! and 6 ports for less than 200 hundred.
Thank you for your responses again!! I will check all your recommendations! (talking about a whole new system... any posts outthere if you wanted to buy altogether now? lol (having the sonarX3 pro software?)..   2-3K perhaps?) an audio interface of 4 ports can do! (6-8 better!) ty!!!!! (as sock monkey mentioned, upgrade or new equipment eventually is inevitable!)
perhaps a sticky of current 'recommended' equipment for current sonar versions would do wonders to people like me! :D
groove on!
pb
 ps: I may have to read this thread a couple of times! a lot of info. thanks!!

Yamaha hardware is good - no doubt.  I have the big brothers to the NS10s and matching amp that are almost 40 years old and still going.  Yamaha interfaces - they are Steinberg now.  And those are good.  But I looked into the Audioport when they came out and they seemed a bit ... cheap.  Plus I replacing a Presonus Firestation w/ the Yama MLan FW that their new firmware/drivers turned into an 8 channel doorstop.  That is one reason Yamaha turned to Steinberg.  A 4 core ought to run OK - I have a 2 core vista sitting at my feet that was my main rig for years.  I wouldn't doubt the plasticy Audioport had driver problems that Yama hasn't fixed, even years later (the MLan update was supposed to fix all the problems w/ MLan 1, and bricked a lot of units).
 
I agree that more info would be nice from the OP.  And that we go over this topic once every week or so - sometimes more.  But Sock Monkey must not have had enough coffee this morning ;-)  It is instructional to read what people think of the gear they use and even what they've heard.  Sometimes it helps the OP, who should do a search in Hardware.  He'll get a boatload of hits.
 
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