Hi,
 
I am using Sonar Producer X2 on Windows 7 64 Bit Pro with a SoundBlaster internal X Fi Titanium sound card.  For the most part it works fine but with my previous PC I had an External Audigy card which was more convenient and I liked that it had RCA jacks where I could hook up my stereo for playback.  Does anyone know of any external sound cards I can look at in additon to SoundBlaster?  I've used SoundBlaster for over 20 years but I thought I would explore other cards.
 
My desktop id a Dell XPS 8300 i7 12GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz and I have one avaialbe Express PCI slot.  Would I be better off doing an external card or an external USB?
 
Thanks,
Vito

Really depends on your i\o needs, budget, etc.
But here's an ex:
 
My desktop-main daw has an Echo Layla3G pci card with ext breakout box. It's fabulous-super drivers-plenty in's and outs.
 
My new laptop: I bought an external (of course) a Roland octacapture-works great also with Windows 7 and \or 8. It's USB.
 
I enjoy both but I love the fact that my USB Octacapture can go anywhere-with a full out DAW or a nice laptop.
 
Roland quad capture (less ins and outs gets nice reviews.
 
Echo Layla3G is still $500, Octacapture can be found for $550 or so and quadcapture for less than that. Way too many choices really.
 
I once did a search on audio interfaces and sound crds and hit many threads discussing this.

Thanks so much!!  I will check both!!!

I also posted this in your other thread-- $300 - Beagle owns 3 of them-- Oh Oh I'm gunna get it now-- 

From a soundblaster and reading into what you are doing.. I would go...

Audiophile 24/96 which a great cards for very little money second hand. Maybe £10 second hand.?
Focusrite scarlett  range.  I have the 8i6 which does 4 balanced ins outs and spldif/ usb for £199 new. Absolutely fine for making music if you don't have a fleet of synths/mics/guitars/drums that need inputs. If largely in the software domain, either of those will do the job fine. The 24/96 is a great card for the money even at £60 new.

I have a Roland Quad Capture which works fine for me. Also look at the Roland Duo Capture EX if you don't need digital inputs.

10 minutes after my last post I checked my email and saw an announcement for this new product from Roland http://rolandconnect.com/product.php?p=duo-capture_mk2#&_cldee=Z2x5bi5iYXJuZXNAdGFsa3RhbGsubmV0

If you do not need XLR jacks it should be cheaper than the Duo Capture EX

This one....made for Sonar by cakewalk:

http://item.mobileweb.eba...CH&nid=43432900429

I've had M-Audio, MOTU, Presonus, Mackie and Focusrite.

M-Audio and Presonus were way more trouble than they're worth. Just plain old bad drivers.
Mackie (the older version drivers on XP anyway) was solid just too much for what I need.
MOTU - Awesome and solid
Focusrite = For my system the most stable, solid, awesome mic-pre's and they are right on top of their driver and firm-wear development.

I will be a Focusrite man from here on out unless I can afford to go RME. But that's just not in my budget for the foreseeable future.

Mike  

I use a MOTU 2408 Mk3...absolutely love it...but it is on the pricey side...Istarted out with an Audiophile 24\96 and Delta 1010 before I stepped up, so I do support Swiller as far as the 24\96 being a good device to start with...as you get your feet wet and head wrapped around the program, tracking and routing then just upgrade as you progress.