RME is top of the line in every way. Lynx is a comparable brand. MOTO is superb as well. I don't know anything about drivers for Windows 8 for any of them.

Focusrite makes the Saffire line of products, which requires a firewire connection. Their equivalent hardware for USB is the Scarlett line. Firewire is being phased out, and is a serious problem on any Windows version after 7.

A few quick and oversimplified notes on latency:

Latency means delay. It takes time for an electronic signal of what is being recorded to travel through analog to digital converters and amplifiers and back out to you. This results in you hearing an echo of yourself as you play. This messes up your ability to record if the delay is too long. Better equipment (and drivers) allows you to shorten the delay. Some equipment provides a mixer option for what is called direct monitoring, so you hear yourself correctly. All of this only matters for recording, not simple playback.





BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.