For whats it worth Alpha, i use an M-audio Fast track. It has two inputs which is fine for me as i record alone so am only ever using just one input.
One thing i notice about the M audio though is it seems to crash Sonar if left plugged in say overnight. The sonar exe doesn't even close from task manager and the laptop needs to be rebooted.   But once you get used to pulling the USB cable when you done for the night its fine. 
Welcome to the forum by the way. 

Hi,
 
I am going to add my two cents in here.    If your running a Dell computer  STAY AWAY FROM FOCUSRITE !!!!!!!
 
It IS great equipment, but the firewire controller that Dell uses is incompatible with thier products.    I had a Sapphire Pro40 and was a beautiful unit, but would never work with ANY of my Dell computers.    Works great with my custom tower though.
 
If your running Vista or above then I would recommend the Audiobox series of USB connected devices.    The latency is almost non-existant, and the sound is great.  I use an 1818vsl as my main mobile interface, and have no complaints (except maybe that the VU meter does not go above 0db, but running full digital this is not a problem).
 
Cheers,
 
TheBadger

TheBadger
Hi,
 
I am going to add my two cents in here.    If your running a Dell computer  STAY AWAY FROM FOCUSRITE !!!!!!!
 
It IS great equipment, but the firewire controller that Dell uses is incompatible with thier products.    I had a Sapphire Pro40 and was a beautiful unit, but would never work with ANY of my Dell computers.    Works great with my custom tower though.
 

the Focurite 2i2 is a USB connected interface, how does Dell's firewire controller make it incompatible?

Don't use a Hosa cable in those front combination connectors especially a Neutrick connector. The plug is not rounded and you will not get out the cable and will have to take apart the unit to try and get the tip of a say 1/4" guitar type plug out of there if even possible. Buy a cable that has rounded tip connectors not a triangle shaped type tip connector. They just don't work in those combination connectors into the unit to plug an instrument into.