please recommend ASIO soundcard under 200 bucks

I've got this crappy Soundblaster thing and was having to use ASIO4all... but now thats stopped working and now I'm having to use MME 32bit.. that actually works, but, I'd rather go ahead and get a good card with real ASIO drivers.
 
Can anyone recommend something under 200 bucks? I'm on a PC using Windows 7
 
thanks

i'm not looking for pro because eventually I hope to go to an 8channel audio interface. I do want a "decent" card with real ASIO drivers.

I've been contemplating this for travel with my laptop:
Focusrite Scarlett Solo - USB + Red 2 & Red 3 VSTs
http://www.americanmusica.com/Item--i-FOC-SCARSOLO

Yes, single USB cable. USB powered only so depends on your use and needs.

+1 for the Akai. I picked one up locally in like new condition for $150 and am impressed with it. Very good sound 4 mic pres, USB hub, VU meters & more - very handy and worth consideration.

Do you have an onboard (Realtek) chip? For mixing only you may actually be able to get that to work.

hi Roddey, you might still want to keep the AKAI in mind if you don't find anything else with that low latency.
 
 
 
 
 

To edit and mix music you'll need ASIO
(it can be done on MME, I can't think of the tech facts right now but there's good reasons not to mix/edit on MME).
 
Would not give up yet on trying to get X3 and your Soundblaster to ASIO....should be possible somehow.
 

I use a focusrite Saffire Pro 14. It uses Firewire. It was around $250. I am quite happy with it. I would think the USB versions are probably cheaper and pretty good.
 

Focusrite, Presonus and the new Tascam units would probably be preferred at this point on the low end of the scale.  Many here at fine w/ their Focusrite units.  TASCAM are part of Gibson along w/ CAKEwalk, so they will naturally make sure those two work together and TASCAM has some nice new units in that price range.  I'd go w/ TASCAM at this point, all other things being equal.
 
@

Its not a sound card : http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/FCA610.aspx
use the firewire option with a TI chipset firewire card !
As for alternatives, Focusrite is also a vg option ..again go firewire

Another good budget choice would be the Steinberg UR-22. I use it, and being a hobbyist it is all I need and I have no problems with it. It's a USB.

Maybe you should consider the Line6 UX1. Although it's primarily aimed at guitarists and has inputs that you don't need, it's known to work well with Sonar and it now seems to be available for under $200.
 
http://line6.com/podstudioux1/

Which model of Audigy card do your Have? I have the Audigy II and there are windows 7 drivers for it. It is a PCI card with a breakout front panel and I just tested it last night and was surprised to find it works way better now than it did form me under XP 32 bit. There are no windows 8 drivers but it is possible the W 7 driver will work. Don't ever use asio4all. been there done that, it will be worse. Asio4all will work with the odd interface that doesn't come with drivers but in my experience it is not a stable driver. It is a WDM driver anyhow and not asio. 
 
Read this thread I'm running and go to page 2 to read about the Sound Blaster results.
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Lets-all-TEST-our-Interface-driver-for-offset-m3178396.aspx
 
And asking about interfaces will get you a dozen "opinions" all based on what the person owns. Please don't shop that way. You need to make your own decision based on what you need here's a blurb I made about looking at interfaces; 
http://www.cactusmusic.ca/Articles/Johns%20Audio%20Interface%20blurb.rtf
 
But for now my guess is the Audigy will work IF there are ASIO drivers. It is a huge waist of time to use on board audio and mme drivers as I have found with the loop back test. WDM and MME mode are plagued with timing issues. Dropouts, and latency that is unmanageable. 
Sonar = ASIO
no other option is a good option. 

 
I just found this, and it claims to have ASIO drivers, and its onsale at amazon for 50 bucks.

http://us.creative.com/p/...ound-blaster-audigy-rx
 
I have its little brother, which sounds fine, my only problem was I worried that it did not support ASIO (it doesnt, but the above one, does)
 
is there any reason why I shouldnt try this?