What's a really good Audio Interface w/lowest latency?

Hi everyone!   I've been using a USB-connected Edirol audio interface box, model UA-4FX.   It works great, but as I've upgraded a few times around, I'm realizing its latency isn't very good.    Problem is, I'm not sure what kind of numbers a great low-latency value should BE, so please give me that as well.  Here's what I'm looking for, for those of you who can help:
 
1)  what numbers should I be shooting for in latency, as I look to buy a better interface?   I believe my Edirol's ASIO control panel reports an average of over 150 Ms.  Doesn't that seem really poor? 
 
2)  my current (and near future) hardware is and will continue to be, notebooks- and I have both USB 2.0 and Firewire ports available (not sure when I'll have USB 3.0, so I'll not mention that as an option).  I want an interface that is external, and I need only the same small number of inputs/outputs that my Edirol box has :  single MIDI In/Out, single R/L pair of 1/4" in/out, a single Mic/Line input, a single  XLR Mic input.  It also gives me an RCA L/R pair for outs that I find very useful.  The Edirol supports 24bit/48Khz recording as well.
 
I'm looking for roughly the same capabilities as my Edirol USB UA-4FX, but a much faster throughput and lower latency.  Can anyone recommend particular models?   I'm hoping to stay under about $300, which is probably twice what I paid for the Edirol, but I'm looking at a bit higher end capability. 
Many thanks, gang!!
John

I am trying out a Presonus 44 VSL this weekend.  They make a 22 VSL for $199.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AudioBox22?device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CJy_xqOOn70CFQ5qfgodSzEAWA
 
 

Thank you all, for the above responses!  
If I can get a link to display on here,  I have found the complete Edirol specs here at :
http://www.zzounds.com/item--EDIUA4FX
 
Yet for all the specs, I still do not see anything on average latency setting.  It does handle multiple windows drivers, and I've stuck with ASIO settings and it has a nice Control Panel that makes it easy to slide settings around......
 
It says it will use USB 2.0 ports, which is the only kind I use with it, but yet I do wonder if that's a problem, and I'll do some checks using other ports.  If it's only working at a USB 1.0 rate, then that  would account for a LOT of issues.
 
Regarding buffer sizes, I do not know what is optimal for best speed/latency. 
And yes, I do actually play back soft synths when I monitor what I've arranged, and I do some monitoring in the FX lists.  I use a dual-core CPU which I didn't feel was a problem, in spite of such faster CPU's out now.  Based on the feedback, I'll do more testing before I go ahead with a new interface - Like I said, the Edirol has been working solid since I got it several years back -
 
My real issues have been since I just upgraded from Sonar PE X-1 to PE X-2,  and I tried to go from 32-bit to 64-bit Sonar PE X2.   I have 64-bit Win 7 Hm Premium, but felt in the past that I wanted to stay 32-bit Sonar for downward compatibility with a lot of favorite VSTs.  So I did it that way.  Edirol said it had to use its own 64-bit driver with a 64-bit Win 7, so I've had that in place, and X-1 in 32-bit mode on top of that platform worked fine.  Very solid, in fact.
 
Now, since loading X-2 in 64-bit, (and patching with X-2a) on (Win 7 SP1), and reloading and rescanning all my VSTs, I can't seem to save and close a project without a total Sonarpd crash.  I do not necessarily think this is related to my Edirol interface.  I'm just looking for weak links in the system, and wondered if I've crossed an upgrade threshold now with X-2, where my Edirol interface isn't processing a heavier synth load fast enough?   I dunno.   But thanks for pointing me to doing more checks before I go the interface direction.
~  John
 

When it comes to low round-trip latency, the distinguishing factor between audio interfaces is the size of its hidden safety-buffer.  The larger the hidden safety-buffer, the larger the round-trip latency.
 
The best audio interfaces yield ~5ms total round-trip latency at a 64-sample ASIO buffer size/44.1k.
The quality of the audio interface's driver is paramount to achieving glitch-free low round-trip latency (while running substantial loads).  Not all drivers are created equal...
RME is particularly good in this regard... as are Lynx and MOTU units.
 
PCIe vs. USB vs. Firewire:
Make a good choice, and you can achieve low round-trip latency with any of the above.
ie: RME USB units achieve total round-trip latency of 4.9ms at a 48-sample ASIO buffer size/44.1k (clean playback running substantial loads)
 
The Steinberg UR-44 is a new (relatively low cost) audio interface that offers good fidelity and low round-trip latency.

JD---Be sure and check out Beagle's site---he has a link to a lot of specs for many different audio interfaces----Keith

JD - if you happen to browse the zillions of posts in here about this topic,  you'll definitely and frequently come across the mention of Focusrite products.  I want to put in a good word for them.
 
1. Good options. Low latency.
2. Excellent, clean pre-amps.
3. Offerings to fit low budget as well as expanded budget
4. Good software interface that accompanies the hardware. That means, easy to use (compared to others).
5. Good reputation - drivers work, plug and play, typically people find the products great and don't complain
Bonus round:
6. Focusrite has a thing called the Focusrite VRM Box (you don't need a Focusrite audio interface to use it, but you do need SPDIF outputs - which Focusrite audio interfaces often have except for the lowest end ones).  The Focusrite VRM Box is a low cost item and can really help with mixing if you use headphones for at all or some of your mixing.

@Rimshot: Curious to see what your roundtrip latency will give you. I have a top-noth DAW PC but now the UR-44 is the culprit giving me only <10ms on 44.1KHz/64 buffer while more conventional settings such as 44/128 give me close to 14 ms. It might be enough for you but I need <10ms so already thinking about selling for an RME. Will cost me probably since I also need 4 mic inputs :(
 
@lawajava: The VRM Box can easily be attached to your PC through USB as a separate interface. Only workaround is that when you want to start mixing and referencing on cans you need to manually select is as an audio output.
There is one reasonibly priced Focusrite model that comes with the VRM tech as well. More expensive than other options mentioned here (aside from RME) but all-in-one since essentially it's the VRM Software that does the processing and not the VRM Box.
 
 
 

this thread is over a year old.
 

Jim Roseberry
When it comes to low round-trip latency, the distinguishing factor between audio interfaces is the size of its hidden safety-buffer.  The larger the hidden safety-buffer, the larger the round-trip latency.
 
The best audio interfaces yield ~5ms total round-trip latency at a 64-sample ASIO buffer size/44.1k.
The quality of the audio interface's driver is paramount to achieving glitch-free low round-trip latency (while running substantial loads).  Not all drivers are created equal...
RME is particularly good in this regard... as are Lynx and MOTU units.
 
PCIe vs. USB vs. Firewire:
Make a good choice, and you can achieve low round-trip latency with any of the above.
ie: RME USB units achieve total round-trip latency of 4.9ms at a 48-sample ASIO buffer size/44.1k (clean playback running substantial loads)
 
The Steinberg UR-44 is a new (relatively low cost) audio interface that offers good fidelity and low round-trip latency.

 If you have a local Guitar Center these were on sale for $119.
 

Kalle Rantaaho

kitekrazy1

Jim Roseberry
 
The Steinberg UR-44 is a new (relatively low cost) audio interface that offers good fidelity and low round-trip latency.

 If you have a local Guitar Center these were on sale for $119.

In 2014 ? :o)
Doesn't help today...

 $119 went i went into a GC  last Friday, May 29, 2015.

Jessie G,
What kind of latencies do you get with the Octa Capture? 5 - 6 ms? 64 samples?

Below is the Quad-Capture $269.00 from Sweetwater.com
View the video on the web page and read more about it.
http://www.rolandus.com/products/quad-capture/
 
 

 

 
 
======================================================
 
Below is the Octa-Capture
View the video on the webpage and read more about it. $599.00 from Sweetwater.com
http://www.rolandus.com/products/octa-capture/features/
 

 
Built in Direct Mixer A,B,C and D with Built in Reverb on Mixer A for vocalist to hear when recording/

 

 
Built in compressor and preamp which you can use with the GUI or from the front of the unit itself.
 

 
 
 
Peace,
 
Jesse G
 
 

If it weren't for the fact the m-audio quit supporting it, I would have recommended the Profire. At 64 samples, RTL is 5.8ms @ 64 byte buffer and 48K sampling.
 
I would like to measure this directly instead of relying on what the ASIO driver is reporting but I need to find a way to do that.
 
I am looking at the Roland units as well since m-audio dropped support for the Profire 610. I emailed Roland to see if they will support the Quad and Octa capture in Windows 10. I will report back if/when they respond. I am a little concerned as these are not new units and I am already am dealing with end of support issues with the Profire.

I look forward to reading that thread.
 
Are you going with one of those two because of their reputation for low latency?
 
Thanks

I've never had a flicker of interest when I post my recommendation. I have four audio interfaces. Two Focusrite, the Profire 2626, and the Line 6 KB-37. For the purpose of capturing vocals with a no latency experience, or capturing fully effected guitars with no latency the Line 6 KB-37 is the runaway winner. So much so that I use it exclusively for recording those parts. I use the Focusrite for general audio and mixing purposes.

I recognize the KB-37 is dated technology now. But line 6 had special sauce with audio in this model, and it is still purchaseable.

A couple bits on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRpCXWSC8TE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwBR1OfHRtM

Using these regularly, I'm very convinced the KB-37 provides an ideal experience.