Budget? For USB look at the EMU 404 ... it's Creative's, the manufacturer of SoundBlaster, pro line.

I don't know about getting along ... I have a high end sound card whose ASIO drivers don't get along.

I could write a small ariticle on sound cards, I've owned so many!

1st ... bus type. In order of highest performance: PCIe, PCI, FW, USB 2.0 and USB 1.1.

2nd ... I/O ... do you want to record a band or just you and a guitar? So, do you need an 8X8, or will a 2X2 do?

3rd ... do you want midi connectivity for keyboard or controller? If so, you'll want one with midi ports.

4th ... do you want built in mic pres (and DI inputs)? Many audio interfaces come with built in mic pres. Again, EMU 1616M (for which you can or soon will also be able to buy a PCIe card) is a pretty decent mid price and mid level audio interface with all the above features.

The high end 'prosumer' brands are RME, Lynx and, if you're on a Mac, Apogee.

Your audio interface is one of your essential links in your digital music chain.

Go to Tweakheadz.com and read the tutorial about selecting an audio interface. As they say, 'buy nice, or buy twice' ... or thrice.

Prado