need help: which soundcard is right for me?

Do you have an external synth or soundmodule, or do you use softsynths only?
You have to start figuring out how many inputs and outputs you need, and also if you need mic preamps.
(Nowadays most soundcards have.......)
Based on your input needs, I'd suggest you look into the M-Audio range of cards, maybe also the ESI, which I have some experience with, all good.........
M-Audio, known for their sound quality, have quite a lot of users in this forum.
Here's a firewire suggestion from M-Audio, a friend of mine bought this two weeks ago, and he's over the top happy with the sound he gets on his recordings.
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FireWire1814-main.html
There's also the Delta 66, Delta 1010 and the Delta 1010 LT etc.

There's also the Delta 66, Delta 1010 and the Delta 1010 LT etc

Thanks Tor for your help.

I guess one thing I still don't understand is why I would need (be reccommended) to get something with 6 or more in/outs if I only have two guitars? Wouldn't I just need 2 ins/outs?

Do you have an external synth or soundmodule, or do you use softsynths only?

Softsynths only.

If you record electric guitar, bass and vocals, you'll need three.
No soundcard I know offers odd numbers of inputs, so you should go with four then, so you won't have to switch cables, but can have one input for guitar, one for bass and so on.
Seems you'd be ok with a four input card, which I guess most cards have anyway, but the price difference between a four input and a six input card would be minimal, so what you choose is simply a matter of taste.
The Delta 66 has four inputs and six outputs, if I remember correctly.
Extra inputs and outputs can be used to feed and tap outboard gear, such as a hardware compressor, a reverb unit, etc.......
Many people prefer hardware effects over their software counterparts, having extra connectivity gives you the option to use such equipment, should you find it interesting later on.
As said, the difference in price between a four input and a six input card is minimal.
If I was to go shopping for a card today, I would buy one with sufficient connectivity, since my experience is that hardware effects work better for me than software.
In fact, I used to have a setup like that before.....

Echo Gina 3G, I don't see how he could play Bass and Guitar at the same time! Echo great stuff and has excellent support.

Rico

Milwaukie here. Good to see someone local using Sonar too!

Well, I'm doing all audio and no midi, concentrating on acoustic music mostly. It's been a big jazz summer.
I was snooping around trying to find a better sound card than my emu, and on rec.audio.pro newsgroup they talked the Lynx stuff up a lot. So I got an L22 from Mercenary, and what a difference! Besides the sound quality, the ease of use was a major consideration.
Sure learn a lot on this forum though too!