New Audio Interface Suggestions

Hey everyone,
 
So for the LONGEST time I've been running everything through an M-Audio Ozonic, which for those that don't remember it, is a midi keyboard with 2 built in inputs and outputs. It's done great for me all these years, but I'd like to get a bigger keyboard, and as such unless I want to leave the Ozonic sitting there plugged in (which I don't) I'm gonna need a new audio interface too, so I was hoping to maybe get some suggestions.
 
I will never need more than 2 ins. A microphone and a guitar. I will also never need more than the outs for my monitors and 1 or 2 pairs of headphones. I don't record bands, I don't really play many live instruments, and I do almost everything in software. Speaking of which... I do probably 99% of everything I do in software... So I don't need any external features really at all. I don't adjust levels by hardware or anything. Basically one master volume is all I need. I'm not gonna touch a single other button for as long as I have it, I can almost with 100% certainty guarantee that.
 
SO... with that in mind, and the fact that I'm a PC guy and Sonar X3 is of course the center of everything I do... any suggestions for what would be good for me? Again I'm gonna be hooking in a midi keyboard, a guitar, and a mic, and I'm not gonna touch any hardware controls...
 
I've been doing a little of my own research too of course, but I figured it would be cool to get some suggestions from you guys too :-)
 
Thanks.

The Steinberg listed by RimShot has Class Compliant mode which means it will also work with Linux Ubuntu Studio which can be handy.

the ur-44 is usb only

Did you the UR-44 video of the Richton London?  I thought that was well done.  This unit is also going to work great with S1 as well as Auria on iPad.  It is so great to have 1 unit that does so many things!

I did. It's really cool, but honestly I don't do any of that stuff haha. Like I said I'm like 90+% software based in what I do. So I just need one that works and works good. But it's definitely towards the top of my list right now...

What do you guys think about the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4? I think it's currently the top of my list, with the Steinberg in 2nd. Any thoughts?
 
http://us.focusrite.com/u...ett-2i4/specifications

Remember that the Scarlett 6i6 has only 2 mic inputs if that matters.  

But like I say, make a list of your projected needs! 
If your going to buy a mixer then 2x2 is possibly not enough. You'll want rear panel line ins too. 
the 2i4 doesn't have SPDIF which is super important if you find yourself with a good pre amp or even monitors with that option. I repeat- For a few extra bucks the 6i6 has way more going for it than the 2i4. The mix control software is worth the extra $30 alone.  
 
I run 2 mixers, one analog and one digital. 
I use the 3/4  in and outs to the analog mixer used for my old MIDI gear. 
I use the SPDIF in/out for my digital mixer which gives me another 16 mike inputs, monitoring control and DSP efxs and compression for both monitoring and printing to tape. 
I also need the MIDI ports. 
And as I said a lot of people report issues with buss powered interfaces introducing noise into the system. 
Make a list trust me. 

I think I saw this "  I still gotta get a new desk first though " and was thinking Mixing desk! 
Carry on. 

polarbear
...unless I want to leave the Ozonic sitting there plugged in (which I don't)...

There's no law against having more than one keyboard.  I sometimes find it convenient to set my 2 keyboards to different midi channels for triggering 2 instruments eliminating the need to switch back and forth.

Hey polarbear,
I had a chance to check out my new UR-44 last night.  Need to keep testing it but here is the first pass bullet list:
 
1.  Easy to install.
2.  Mic pres are outstanding.  There is a huge difference between this and my old Zoom R24.  They are clean and quiet.
3.  dsp interface:  This controls the UR-44 inputs and outputs for live monitoring to get 0 latency.  Works very well but had an issue where the audio for the included Yamaga guitar sim became thin and high-ended for some reason.  Had to close and reopen the dsp to reset.
4.  The UR-44 worked great for DAWS and it also sounds great in Auria with my iPad. 
5.  The dual headphone outs sound great but if you turn them up to 9-10, I hear white noise.  I think that is the headphone amps.
6.  Camtasia audio:  This is the first time I have been able to record video and audio from my desktop for making videos. 
 
I have yet to test multi-mic input.
 
So far very happy with it.
 
Rimshot
 

You can always look at an online place like Sweetwater and see what is in the market place - does not mean you have to buy from there, since there may be a local store or a different on-line place also.
 
http://www.sweetwater.com/shop/computer-audio/audio_interfaces/
 
And firewire is not going to be as common as usb 2 or 3 anymore because no such connections on a lot of computers and USB 2 can handle 50 channels in and out for a unit or at least 48 channels type mixer, board, whatever.