polarbear
Yea I just don't know if I could realistically fit it on my desk, even with the new big desk i'm gonna get...

I wouldn't put more than one keyboard on a desk anyway.  My second one is off to my left (at right angles) on a keyboard stand.

Whichever interface you choose, find the cheapest advertised price online and then email companies like Audio Deluxe, Sweetwater, JRR Shop, Musicians Friend etc....and see who'll give you the best deal with free shipping.

haha yea i just ordered something from sweetwater recently and got a call a few days later from the dude asking if he could help me order more stuff from them... so who knows, maybe i'll take him up on the offer if they're willing to do some dealin :-)

http://www.amazon.com/Steinberg-UR44-Audio-Interface/dp/B00HLTLTGW
 
http://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-6i6-Interface-Preamps/dp/B00CP4IIJY
 
 
Both there units are very close in features. 
The UR 44 $299 , no SPDIF  = 4 outs but has 4 Mike inputs 
The 6i6      $249   only 2 mike inputs but has SPDIF 
other that features are very similar.
 
 
 

Thanks Cactus... Those are exactly what I'm looking at as my top 2 picks... well the smaller 2i4 because I really don't need 6 in and 6 out. I'll never use the additional ins and outs... BUT at last minute I might decide to pick that one just cause of the small price difference. But yea, Scarlett and Steinberg are my 2 top picks.

I have to put this one out there.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EIEPro/
It's not the first thing anyone thinks of, but it fit my needs to a tee.
The kicker for me was the integrated USB hub. I'm laptop based, and this allows me to connect three USB controllers.
It also has a standard MIDI port, If I need to connect a fourth controller.
I also like the split 48v phantom power. I saw one reviewer complain about this, but it's a great feature if you want to mix mic types.
No spdif, but it's very flexible. Once I got my levels set, I rarely mess with it.
A bit more than you want to spend, but it's in the range of the units Cactus is suggesting($249).
It may or may not be the perfect fit for you, but at least you know about it.

 
Bummer update: my new UR-44 has problems with the hi-z audio inputs.  Sweetwater will ship out a replacement in June when they get more stock in.  The mic inputs work so I can use a direct box for guitars for now. 
 
I also have to work on how X3 sees it.  I have not been able yet to have the ASIO-Steinberg audio driver show all the inputs of the unit thru X3.  I do see all the inputs thru Studio One and also thru Auria and Cubasis on my iPad.
 

Ugh that sucks. Hopefully they can get a new one out to you sooner.
 

for sure.   I'm getting one tomorrow.  Crazy Sweetwater is backordered that far back.  To some degree, that speaks for the unit however, on a positive note.

Here's another update on my testing at this thread:
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Steinberg-UR44-USB-Interface-m3011580.aspx