Thanks mate don't mind spending the money but bit worried that it won't work now would u get the newer sonar and is the Sony vaio laptop I've got going to be ok to use it all on 

Chris, check out ebay item 120946867600 for instance (I suppose you are located in the UK since you are using £)
Roland Tri Capture and a new Sonar X1 for 115£.
www.thomann.co.uk has a lot of audio interfaces:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/cat.html?gf=usb_audio_interfaces&oa=pra


This one sould probably suit you for a start
http://www.thomann.de/gb/esi_ugm96_b_stock_2.htm

*double-posting*

Thanks mate suppose ill have to check if there compatable with windows 8?

So I think the duo capture mk2 is looking good for me ATM but any links to a mic to get and also something to power the mic? Thanks for the help guys great forum

Or would it be easier to get the duo capture ex that has phantom power ? Thanks

Yes, if you use a condenser mic that needs 48V phantom power and you have nothing that can give it, you need an audio/interface that will, and also MIDI if you use that. Check the Sweetwater link I gave, just to look around, quite a few for about $100 to $140, so I really do not know what that is in pounds around what - say 50 to 75?? If you buy no Channel Strips, or anything else, than you will need all of that on the audio/interface and I have seen some there listed at Sweetwater (not the only place to buy) for around $150. Also the one you were looking at is on $79 but a better one is $99 from Roland. Drivers are very important for Windows 8, because like a sound card in the computer it needs drivers (especially ASIO) for recording and listening. ASIO4All is what some use, but that is a generic driver not as good as a dedicated driver usually by the manufacturer of the unit you may buy, so make sure the drivers really work, some do not work as good, and the ones that do were mentioned in another post. I don't really know but look up Beagle here and review his website pages on it also. (or ask him also)

If you are in England then you will have to search the Internet, the main thing is "Does Sonar 7 work with Windows 8?? I do not know, I have Windows 7 64-bit, although I think it is a 32-bit program, like some others I have. Do the audio/interface drivers really support Windows 8?? Some manufacturers are not good at upgrading their drivers, although I am not also sure if Windows 7 drivers will work either. ?????? Do not accept hype from anyone, really find out if the drivers are for Windows 8 work, and all of that stuff. Look around a lot first.

Thanks mate I will review it in depth before I purchase also the Roland's come with x1 le Is it any good ? I subsume le is light addition but does it still have most of the editing tools on it like the vocal one ? Thanks

I know this is out of your budget, but the Roland VS-100 might fit what you are doing.  Nice part is you can record without being connected to a computer.  And it has Windows 8 drivers.

Regarding using your friends Sonar 7.   My suggestion is test it out and if you like it, please purchase a licensed copy.  All the major DAW software makers offer trial versions with their software. 

You're going to get away cheap. :(

-JJ