Suggest a new Audio interface upgrade from my Delta66 to get more channels....

I currently have a new PC running Sonar 8.5 with an old Delta66 audio card. I now have a space where I can record a whole band so I need a new interface with minimum 8 channels, preferably 12. What do you suggest? I assume I can get a usb type of interface instead of my old pci. It has been 8 or 9years since I have looked at interfaces and I am out of the loop. I don't have firewire but I was told that it was on the way out and that usb2.0 was taking over. Budget is up to $1000-1500. Thanks for the help in advance.

+1 for the RME Fireface UC. Its one of the best USB Sound cards out right now and there preamps are very transparent and their drivers are superb
You can also look into Echo audio and Motu, as those cards offer great quality at a lower price than ME, but ME is thought to be better than those 2
Cj

I don't think firewire will go away anytime soon. 

Agree.

I'm on the low end, interface wise, with a Presonus FireBox but I operate at low latencies and have smooth, dependable operation.  I never had low latency or dependable operation from any of the USB interfaces I tried.  Never had one moment's trouble with it, it was working 10 minutes after I took it out of the box and has been ever since.

I don't have the room to record bands, so I concentrate on soloists and making soundtracks and ads.

I feel no need to change what I have, but if I wanted more I/O, that RME would be the way I'd go.
 

Not sure how this comes out pricewise in $$ but this is what I use....... it's fantastic

http://www.allen-heath.com/zed/zed-R16.asp

As to how to hook up the FF 400 - it looks like it only has a couple of preamps, so the extra mics would need preamps.  The FF800 has 4.  Same deal.

If you need a single unit w/ preamps look at PreSonus or the Focusrite units - 8 mic and converters at a time.  Echo has a 12 input unit, but it too misses preamps (I think).  You can add preamps w/ anything from Behringer to ART to PreSonus to Focusrite on up - which should work.  Some have ADAT converters built-in so they would work w/ your interface.

It really depends upon the amount of money you have to spend - all the above are on the affordable level.  You'll need at least 8 mic inputs - 3-7 on drums, guitar, bass and a scratch vocal track. 

I use a TC Electronic Konnekt 48.  12 inputs, 4 preamps, really nice DSP effects and a small remote controller for less than $1000.  Sounds as good as the RME and better than most other affordable gear.  Very nice preamps, too.  Not low latency, and you would need extra preamps.  ARt has some ok ones @ $30 a pop, behringer has 8 w/ ADAT converters for less than $200.

I got my TCK 48 cheap - they had them for $800 and I got a returned one.  They seem to have crept back up to $1000, tho.  For less you could get the Yama/Stienberg 8 channel unit.  Suppose to sound as good as the above, 8 good preamps and ADAT so you can expand and cheap.  Prices have bounced around, but $700 I think for the one w/o extra effects.  Great sound and you can wait to expand w/ ADAT when you need.  You'll still have all the preamps you need to do drums at once recording - Overheads, Kick, Snare and a room, too.

That is as low as I would go and not feel like I need to upgrade ASAP.  The other prosumer stuff is good and will get the job done, but if you can swing it one of the better units would be the way to go.  Then you can load up later w/ better preamps and outboard, which will have a obvious effect on the sound.

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