I have a creative labs x-fi card that is operates in ASIO mode.  Is this what I should be using for music recording and mixing in sonar? What other low latency audio interfaces would anyone recommend... this whole hardware question is confusing to me.
 
I record just myself, at most two mics and/or other inputs.
 
All thoughts appreciated.
 
Ir should  I just stay with what I have?
 
I have a Win 10 machine, 16gig, and Sonar Platinum. And I have a mixing board.
 
Rick
 
 
 

Hi. It would depend on what your budget is, and what you expect of it. There are loads of budget friendly Audio Interfaces, and many expensive ones. Give a budget, it will help to narrow down options.
Or you could use the preamps in your mixer, going into your existing sound card.
Best of luck.

Focusrite is probably the most common among cakewalk forum users. We also have plenty of Roland, steinberg and m-audio users. I am sure have have miss a brand or two.

Whatever you choose will be a massive upgrade on the x-fi.
 
As said above, give us an idea of budget

Don't know much about mixing boards with USB (if that's what you have) and if they will work OK. What I do know is that I went through numerous interfaces that all gave plenty of trouble, several dying on me too.
 
Without an indication how much you want to spend, for your stated requirements, a Focusrite 2i2, available for around $180 would be a good option. They are trouble free and well above your soundcard for both use and performance. For about $800, an RME Babyface is well worth a look. Heaps of good options available between the two price points, and very awesome pro gear well above the RME. Do your google research, narrow it down to exactly what you need, then google again and pick some. Then you could ask here for opinion on your choices. Most are pretty good these days, but IMHO, I would not use M-audio gear for PC/Sonar, based upon my experiences. Good luck.

I agree with these guys and the Focusrite.  I started out with a Saffire 6 and moved up to the Scarlett 18i20.  Both have very nice preamps!  
 
linky  http://www.sweetwater.com...manufacturer/Focusrite

i love my Roland Quad-Capture; i hated my Tascam us-144 & us-122l because the 64 bit drivers didn't work.

Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 (Firewire) is what I use.  Nice I/O options for a $500 box.  The new zero-latency Thunderbolt Claretts look pretty sweet...but there goes $1000! 

(To clarify, the Claretts aren't really zero-latency of course, but they boast really zippy performance.)
 

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 or 2i4 would fit the bill nicely.  I have a 2i4 and it's wonderful.