Due to an as-of-yet unknown problem with my old music PC, I need to transfer my music-making to another PC. After installing Sonar 7 onto the (newer) PC, I noticed bad audio clipping and severe latency during playback. Sonar will export to WAV just fine without any problems, but the latency and clipping inside Sonar renders it essentially useless. This newer PC has onboard sound, which according to this topic (http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=1356172) is the cause of the latency and clipping. On my old music PC I used a creative sound card without issues, so I figure I would simply transfer it over to the new PC. Ironically, the newer PC doesn't have a soundcard slot on the motherboard. That said, I'm looking into USB soundcards to solve the problem. Which brings me to my question: will a USB soundcard solve my problem? Does anyone have experience with them?

...will a USB soundcard solve my problem?

Most definitely probably.


An outboard interface will almost always be superior to the single-chip integrated sound that came soldered to your motherboard. It will have a wider dynamic range with more overhead and therefore less likely to clip. 


Latency, however, is largely a function of the driver's efficiency, and that varies a lot between manufacturers and models. As a general rule, USB devices have longer latencies than PCIe equivalents, but the difference is not significant for audio work.


When selecting a USB interface, base it on the features you need, including some you might not have thought about before. Multiple outputs, for example, to accommodate separate headphone mixes for performers or alternate reference speakers. S/PDIF connections for digital monitors and synthesizers. Zero-latency monitoring. Multiple headphone outputs. Built-in limiter or other DSP. DIN MIDI I/O. Effect loops. Phantom powered mic inputs versus TRS line inputs. These are all potential benefits that may be missing from your current integrated interface.

USB interfaces are no doubt the most popular soundcards at the moment, so no difficulties in finding people with experience :o)

Thanks for the replies! To those that do use USB soundcards, what works well with Sonar 7? My old card was a Sound Blaster XFi, but it seems there are some problems using it with Sonar (although I never experienced this on my old PC with the hardware sound card). I primarily compose using Kontakt software and VSTs, and boot up Sonar when I'm ready to mix, master, and export. I don't do any live instrument recording, although I suppose it would be nice to try some day. But I don't need a sound card optimized for it. I would love to hear the community's recommendations.

Start with a budget first, then determine what features you need. 

Prices range from under $100 to around $1000 before you get into the stratospherically-priced high end. Decide if you'll ever use 8 inputs, but don't rush to a conclusion - can you be certain you'll never need to record a whole band live? Decide if you're more likely to need microphone/instrument inputs or line inputs - some units have 2 mic inputs and 8 line inputs, others have 8 mic inputs. 
 
I wouldn't worry about SONAR 7 compatibility as long as you stay away from products that have a bad reputation generally, e.g. TASCAM. Some of the long-established and most widely-respected vendors are RME, Lynx, MOTU and Echo. Roland is a more recent player but its recent entries (e.g. OctaCapture) have gotten good reviews. For the money, the Behringer ADA8000 is a good buy. 

They'll all do a pretty good job and any would be a big step up from integrated audio, so base your decision on what features you need and your budget. Don't blow $1500 without a good reason!