Hey, everyone. I finally started making small amounts of money here and there recording projects for friends, and I realize that I won't be able to get a lot better if I don't purchase an audio interface. 
I've been digging deep into interfaces recently, and I've come up with a few options... a friend of mine owns a Peavy PV6, and another has an ART USB Mix. I see ART is a bit on the lower end... the PV6 seems to be holding up okay. (I want a way lower noise floor.)
 
I've looked into everything: Scarlett 2i2, AudioBox, Lexicon Alpha, MultiMix, Akai EIE... I don't have any way to test anything.
 
So I'm wondering... of all these budget interfaces, what is THE best value for the money?
 

I use the lexicon omega with guitar tracks pro 4 it works great and has the most inputs I could find for the price. I think American Musical Supply has a special on them right now

Do you need midi in/out?  The 2i2 does not provide that.  
You might look at the Tascam US-144MKI.  
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/tascam-us-144mkii-usb-2.0-4-channel-audio-midi-interface
 
I have never used it but it has some nice features.  
 
Have you thought about getting a unit that will also work an iPad?
 

If you want good drivers, the scarlett bar none, the rest will have so so drivers.. 

Yea, I think I'd go with what many others have had success with, and that seems to be the focusrite.  I haven't heard many, if any, negative comments about it and there are apparently a lot of users.
 
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+1 for the Focusrite!!
 
For about $150ish, you can get the 2i4 which does 2 in 4 out with midi in/out. If you do any DJ work, it also has 4 RCA outs. Best of all, it has very stable driver support.

Looks like the Scarlett has it... good thing it's what I had in my sig already  haha so as it stands, I don't NEED more than two inputs ever (really more than one, but I plan to mess around with stereo micing, live performances and stuff soon), and I'm sure I won't need more than two outs! Thanks for the suggestions though, guys! 
 
I actually don't even have a MIDI device that doesn't use USB (o/c the 2i2 doesn't have MIDI), but does this imply that it's 'better' to go ahead and use the MIDI I/O's on the box rather than with, for example, USB into the computer?  More convenient?

Better to have all in one.  It only takes one USB port and one driver install.

Makes sense. That does then require that my midi device, whichever I get, has the standard MIDI IO's then... making the Nektar LX49 a non-choice in this case. I would like to free up the other port, though my intention for a purchase after a new box was a MIDI controller. Maybe it's no problem to reevaluate my options in terms of controllers as well.

Just to confuse the issue, the TCK Twin has fantastic sound, a wee bit better than most in the class.  One preamp, one line in (but the preamp, too, is very good), Firewire, OK drivers, no midi.  But if you are just in it for the sound quality, you'll be happy.
 
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