I believe RME and Lynx...two top end companies still make PCI card interfaces.  Also the custom builders (that frequent this site) use motherboards with PCI slots in them, with current processors, etc.
 
I was just looking at Echo's site today, as I own a 3G (after a Gina and two Layla20) and want to upgrade my setup all around and am trying to decide if the 3G is in the game plan.  Should StudioCat or ADK makes a custom build, then, my question is answered, as mentioned their motherboards have at least one PCI slot.
 
I've only read a lot about Echo products, since I've owned their products, but have nothing to compare with.  But reading I've always got the impression their drivers are top notch and the audio quality is equal to stuff costing twice.   But admittedly, wondering if the RME Hammerfall stuff would really make a difference.
 
Btw I NEVER use the preamps on any of my Echo stuff, and actually wish my 3G didn't have input 1/2 on the front with those cheesy knobs.  I've tried the preamps with some mics like a Beyer M160, and they didn't have enough gain to cut it with that mic. That and other reasons lead me to believe outboard pres will ultimately get the best sound and choices.  A good quality hardware chain into a decent card seems to be the route.
 
Then there's the Dangerous D summing box coming out of the computer.........
 

oh one other thing... the latest drivers they have are for Win7.  Echo is good about updating their drivers for older stuff, but they've scaled down what they now sell quite a bit and I haven't seen anything with Win8 drivers.  In their Facebook page or somewhere, people have asked, but it hasn't had any current answers.  

Is that different than the Layla3G? That's what I have with a very good Asus MB P8Z77 and it's rock solid. MB can take 32 GB Ram, which I have. etc.
 
But I don't use the mic pres so I guess that's a good thing.I picked up a Warm Audio WA12 Mic Pre (actually from some advice here and it's nice. I'll be keeping the Layla3G for a while-just built this PC a few months ago-couldn't be happier.

Stratman...what drivers are you using for your 3G?

Hi for all,

Today, installed windows 7 ultimate 64 bit , and apparently seemed okay happened, but I can not release the sound, I get an error "the device is being used by another application please close any devices que are playing audio" ...
I've tried all possible and visible solutions in all forums that thought , and nothing worked .
You think the hardware of my computer to be incompatible with Layla ?

For the record , I am Brazilian and here in Brazil is very expensive to buy a current board

Thanks for listening

I had a 3G for many years and loved it.  I finally moved on to a Roland Octacapture.  Not only are the preamps markedly better, but some of the features like built in DSP for recording dry and monitoring wet were really nice.  I was sad to see the 3G go, but it was time.  If you have the money, I say go for it.  New toys can be a source of inspiration too!

I still use a Layla 24 with a Focusrite Octopre and a second Layla with a  PreSonus DigiMax D8!  Both work great 16 channels!. But I also have a Millennia HV-3D running into a Layla 24!  
 
Max Arwood
 

This is an ancient thread revived by the feller' (or lass) from Brazil looking to sort out how to keep the Layla from being overtaken by other programs on the system.
 
I'm guessing maybe Windows sounds or other such things but my brain ain't in troubleshoot mode at the moment so I'm jsut gonna eat my macaroni.

Yes - this sounds like the Windows Default audio Device is set to use the audio interface, and SOME application (or even Windows) is using it right now, or just has it tied up, and Sonar cannot get at it.
 
For MY preferences, I NEVER let anything but Sonar or stand-alone music programs like Dim Pro and such point to using my audio interface.
 
For MY situation, I have a 2nd set of speakers available, and set the Windows Default Audio Device to go to THAT set of speakers (actually they are in the HDTV I use as my computer monitor, and my HDMI cable send both video and audio to the TV).
 
I NEVER have any problems with things conflicting with my ASIO drivers for my audio interface, by running as I do as listed above.
 
Bob Bone
 

Lynx makes PCI cards, and they have excellent sound quality and support. Several motherboard manufacturers still make products with PCI slots. I use the Lynx Two-C in my main computer and L-22 in the other here in the studio. Why PCI? Much lower latency and stability than all the usb interfaces I tried. The PCI bus simply moves more data than the usb, and leads to less problems. I picked both of mine up second-hand on Ebay, and couldn't be happier.