Most of the decent interfaces will be USB.

What card/interface you need depends on what software you are using and how you use it.

The factory cards tend to do OK with audio but when you throw in a few soft synths you quickly run into latency issues with the synths. So if you playback a project in RB with audio and synths, the music tends to be out of synch to one degree or another.

I export all my tracks to Sonar. When I got started back into recording and mixing I purchased a Focusrite Saffire Wirefire interface. I don't really recommend the FW interfaces since they can have chip compatibility issues, so go with a USB based interface that can run native ASIO drivers and you will be OK.

M-Audio, Presonus, Focusrite, are among the good ones to choose from. All of these are in common use, and use ASIO drivers and have a good track record with low latency. In my DAW, I can play the synth tracks (multiple synths all active) and it syncs perfectly with the audio.

BTW: I know you are asking about a desktop.... my current DAW is a custom built desk top box.... I still use the external firewire interface with it and it works perfectly. By using an external interface (USB) you can just as easily plug it into your laptop and use it to record or mix.....

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
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