Does anyone have a recommendation for a good external USB ASIO soundcard? My system is a Mac Book Pro running Windows 7, I'm using Sonar X3 and am running into audio drop outs during midi audio playback. The firewire connection already has a Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 using it.

To stop dropping MIDI notes try increasing the "Prepare Using nnn Millisecond Buffers" in Preferences > MIDI > Playback and Recording from 250 to 500 or 750

Thanks for the midi settings tip. I will definitely do that. I've been lightly using Cakewalk products since before Win-95 and am just now digging deeper into midi and have been reading about the benefits of ASIO, specially since I'm working with a laptop.

And you can not use the firewire card???

Thank You Kalle, I'm using my ASIO breakout box and it works terrific. I was looking at external sound cards for other options since the internal card is having some trouble dropping out. I'm new to the MIDI end of Sonar X3 and wanted to get some input from other users who may have opted for an external ASIO sound card for various reasons. Currently I'm looking at the VMV Magic series.

Welcome to the forum.
I think what Kalle was suggesting is that you'll get equal or better performance using the Focusrite instead of another audio interface connected via USB.
What are you using the internal sound card for? SONAR? Don't. 

I am using the Focusrite and I understand it's benefits. I'm not using the internal sound card for Sonar. I'm looking for an adequate external sound card for portability reasons. I don't want to drag around my break out box everywhere I go. Thanks for your input warning about the laptop's internal sound card Greg. I'm going with the VMV Magic. Thanks to scook for the MIDI settings, that helps.

Hi, new to the forums!
 
I also have a laptop that I am using with SONAR and Tascam US 16x08.  I've been able to record, but when I want to listen back on the laptop the built in sound card does not have any ASIO support.

What would be a good external USB Sound Card with ASIO support to use?

Hi ccabral,
I split your last post out from this thread because it should be a separate new thread, however, since you're posting in this one again, I'll answer here and delete your other one.
 
there are a lot of good USB ASIO soundcards.  you have to narrow the need further.  how much is your budget?  how many inputs and outputs do you need?  how many of those inputs need to be MIC pres?  do you need any other type of I/O (such as MIDI, Optical/ADAT, etc)?
 
if you're looking for a budget USB ASIO soundcard with just a few I/O, look at
focusrite 
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/search?sB=r&Ntt=focusrite+usb
or Presonus
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/search?sB=r&Ntt=presonus+usb

So sorry about the double post Beagle, I thought I had forgot to hit submit when I came back to this thread!!
 
With regards to some of the questions, I just need an ASIO sound card that I can listen back through the laptop speakers or external Bluetooth speakers when mixing down in Sonar. The soundcard won't be for any of the heavy lifting, just to be able to listen back to tracks in Sonar.