audio interface

http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/Knowledge-Base/2005273/What-audio-hardware-do-I-need
 
This is a helpful link from Cakewalk.

Generally good info in that article, but it hasn't been updated for three years.
There are still some very high end PCI cards available, but for more reasonably priced units that offer good performance, USB is probably the way to go. Stick with USB2(or 3). There are some USB1 products available (Lexicon in particular). They are very cheap because they are based on very old technology, and basically, they suck.
Firewire seems to be falling out of favor as well.
Per the article, consider your I/O requirements.
The Focusrite Scarlet series ate a popular choice, but I went with this because it offers some unique capabilities in its price range:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EIEPro/
It has proven to  be everything I hoped for.

What about the Roland Studio something? Lots of channels and options? Is it good enough for pro recording?

garyed
So it seems like going USB is what most here recommend. I really only need two inputs plus midi in and out since I only record myself, guitar and voice live. Everything else, keyboards, drums, etc., I use midi. I have a Mackie 1402 vlz that I use with my Maudio Audiophile 2496 now and it does everything I need but it's PCI. Since most of the new motherboards are doing away with PCI I figure it's time to find out what's happening in the new millenium. Thanks for all the replies.   

Hi Gary,
I had the similar requirements as you do for an interface and I went with what a lot of Sonar users recommended:
Focusrite's_Scarlett_2i4. (check Audio Deluxe, JRR Shop, and Sweetwater as they might be able to offer additional discounts).
 
I'm extremely happy with it and most importantly, the driver + customer support is excellent with Focusrite.
 
Specifications

• 2 in / 4 out USB audio interface
• 96 KHz, 24-bit conversion
• 2 Focusrite microphone preamplifiers
• Red anodised aluminium unibody chassis

Front panel

• 2 line/mic/instrument combination inputs - high quality XLR/ ¼ “ TRS Jack Combo
• 2 line/inst switches
• 2 illuminating “PAD” buttons
• 2 Gain knobs
• 2 Gain halo signal indicators
• 48V Phantom power switch
• MIDI activity LED indicator
• USB connection LED indicator
• “DIRECT MONITOR” control
• “STEREO/MONO” switch for direct monitor
• Large monitor level dial (controls headphone and line level outputs)
• Headphone output - ¼” TRS Jack
• Headphone level knob
• “HEADPHONE SOURCE” switch

Rear panel

• 2 balanced monitor outputs – TRS (channels 1-2)
• 4 unbalanced outputs – RCA Phono (channels 1-4)
• MIDI IO
• USB 2.0 Port
• Kensington Lock slot

Thanks Mesh,
 
I was thinking about Maudio's Mtrack Plus but the Scarlett 2i4 looks a little nicer at 24/96 when the Mtrack is 24/48. The Mtrack does have spdif IO but I've never used it on my Audiophile so that's not a big deal. Maudio does have good drivers which may be a factor because I'm trying to do a DAW for both Windows & Linux. I use Cakewalk for Windows but I haven't decided what I'm going to use in Linux. I love Cakewalk but I don't like Windows. I've been using Cakewalk for about 25 years from when it was only midi for DOS. I've been through a lot of upgrades & enjoyed them all but i can't say the same for Windows. 

 That was my upgraded disk version. I think I started with version 2.0 or 3.0.        

Sycraft
 Linux [...] the most amazing thing EVAR 

Unless you want to run real commercial apps an stuff...

Excellent info on the audio interfaces. As for what I don't like about Windows, it's not so much a functional problem as it is a control problem. When I buy a Cakewalk product I feel comfortable with it and if I ever have a problem with registration or a re-installation issue that they will take care of it. I don't get that feeling from Microsoft. Ever since i had to do a re-install of XP years ago & had to call MS & give them an explanation of how my motherboard died to get a registration code I've always felt uncomfortable with the operating system. I should have clarified that I'm already a Linux user for pretty much everything except DAW & Cakewalk is pretty much the only reason I need to use Windows.
I've got a lot of years of CW stuff under Windows that I'm not going to ditch but I'd still like to add a non-windows option along side. My last upgrade was to X1 producer but my computer is so old I haven't really used it so I still use Home studio XL so upgrading any further would not have made any sense. I'm planning on putting together a new computer soon & thus my questions about the audio interfaces. I've been out of the loop for quite a while so I really appreciate all the ideas you guys have given.        

Great thread, I'm also looking for a new audio interface, I used to have an EMU 1820m but my new computer doesn't have PCI slots anymore, so it's time to get something new. 
 
I very rarely if ever record, and if I do, it would only be one set of vocals at a time.  Latency is important though because I play my soft synths in. 
 
I'm disappointed that focus right doesn't have quarter inch outs.   I've heard a lot of good things about RME, but they seem to be overkill on the ins and outs that I would never need.

@ Cactus Music,  your review convinced me, I went with the 6i6 as well so I would stay away from the USB power, ty for the tip.
 
As long as I get at least 10 ms latency no crackling, I should probably be happy.  

Yes, I think I just missed them on the back.

I'm even get drop outs at 1024 samples in ASIO, even worse than MME at 20 ms

musicroom

AT
USB is probably best for long term.
 
I'm enjoying the Tascam uh-7000 in for evaluation at the moment.  Nice bit of kit.  I haven't messed w/ it much, but the DA is a semi step above my normal TC Konnekt, which has very good DA. 
 
@

 
AT, Let us know how it sounds with outboard pre's attached if you don't mind. This box has my interest...
 
 
Thanks

The Tascam unit has preamps and line ins.  The manual is pdf and I haven't double-checked but I think they bypass preamp itself.  You can download the manual at Tascam, I believe.  Anyway, I've run the warm audio preamp/WA76 combo through it and it... worked very nicely, thank you.  And the portico II, too.  The converters are a notch above my TC Konnekt unit, from what I can tell.  Listening to a song I had been working on, the first thing I thought was to add more reverb to the vocal, since I could hear .... deeper?  And the DA of the TC is very good.  The difference isn't jaw dropping as so many like to say, but it seems to be there.  And the preamps themselves are great.  Not as vintage as the WA stuff, not as big as Mr. Neve's  stuff, but as good as either just different.  All this is very subtle stuff.  But the Tascam unit is first class, however you cut it.
 
@

My computer is a i7 -4830 with 24 gigs of ram.  And most of my tracks are bounced down right now (probably still not more than 20 audio tracks).  
 
I will play with it more tonight.  Note that I am changing latency in the asio panel, not the normal mix slider.  And it changes it in samples.  Note normal latency slider is grayed out for me.

Uninstall ASIO4All from your system. It will interfere with the native drivers for your hardware.
For lack of a better word, it is very "aggressive" and Sonar will find it before it finds the real ASIO drivers for your interface.
Once you are using the Focusrite drivers, you should see the performance the others are.

Cactus Music
Well that must be the classic "a picture is worth a 1000 words"
What Bob said.. holy cow ASIO4all... Kill the bastard. 
You'll be fine once you get rid of ASIO4all. 
I was wondering why you had a slider in Sonar, once you get the scarllet drivers installed you can only change those settings in mix control. 

LOL!!
I was also surprised to see the ASIO4all driver being used, especially with such good drivers from Focusrite. I remember using ASIO4all in a general purpose laptop just to "rig" it so I could listen to some X1 audio (it of course didn't have an audio interface). I would only use those drivers if there was no other legitimate driver available.