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davdud101 - I'm a fan of Focusrite. I have two Scarletts and a thing called the VRM Box. Use them all the time daily. Great stuff, works flawlessly.

That said, I also have this other audio interface which I use heavily as well. It's a Line 6 KB-37. Not much more than your budget, especially if you get one used. Among its many handy and thoughtful aspects - it really does have near zero latency. For inputting electric guitars or using a microphone for vocals or acoustic guitar it's a joy in terms of no perceived latency. Playing an electric loaded with effects sounds like it is coming straight out of the amp. Interestingly, it's not a new item but still works fine with X3 and Windows 7/8.

Just throwing it out there. I love my Focusrite stuff and use it all the time. For recording tracks I lean heavily on the KB-37.

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

and

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

Always check the back of the midi unit (keyboard). Usually they will have both - 5 pin din for midi (regular) and USB.
Check everything, because some USB on a keyboard may be for only downloading to another program to change the patch sound and upload it again from a program that runs on the computer. The regular din MIDI connection is the normal one, and while some support USB, if you could record at 96000 sample rate and 24-bit with ASIO drivers in the audio/interface, the USB probably only records at 44.1kHz sample rate or 48kHz sample rate at the most and there is no way to record at 96kHz sample rate. Usually most are still only 44.1kHz sample rate (at least on my units say for guitar - guitar effects box unit or the USB like said is used for changing sounds only like mentioned. (I use the line outputs on my guitar boxes to record at any speed since they either go to a mixer or an amp and can be used to record with also).
Not all keyboards have full midi implementation and others do, which may make a difference in the end also. (only subpart midi implementation). Yes I know it costs more, but there is used equipment to buy also.
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/
 
And as for anything else, the Peavey6 can be used and plugged into say a Focusrite two inputs (left and right) and also the ART unit (if stereo) or probably even both plugged in like the Peavey to the ART to the Focusrite, as long as the inputs on the Focusrite are not overloaded, any combination can be used or no combination and just the Focusrite.
 
If used equipment for the audio/interface (or even new equipment) make sure the drivers are for current OS's and are good to use. Some really older equipment may be there to sell that drivers were not updated for newer OSs on a computer.
Not good then.
 
 

Scarlett 2i4 here. Works great, sounds good and, in my experience, Focusrite support is exemplary.

I'm now looking at the 2i4.. I like some of the added features that he 2i2 doesn't appear to have (like the stereo/mono switch, MIDI I/O, 1-4 output switches).
I'm thinking of going used, cuz there are some cheap ones around, but before that- does anyone have any experience with Full Compass? Would it be a worth-it buy to get one of their B-Stocks on a 2i4, and are they trusted?

Full compass should be fine.  A b-stock is usually a returned item but no need for repairs.  Just repack it.
 
@

If all the features fits your needs, then make sure Full Compass's drivers have good support........otherwise, you'll end up crying.  

Well I think I'm sold on the 2i4. Of course if that doesn't go over well, my next in line is the 2i2... I've seen nothing but good about them, especially at my (low) skill/experience level. Thanks for helping pare it down, guys... I hopefuly will be getting it within the next 3 weeks!

our tests at gearevu.com yielded results which would very strongly recommend the Focusrite stuff.