What audio interface to get (cheap)? HELP PLEASE

[Peteus]

I am quite a novice at recording and I have been scuppered by my computer constantly (it was terrible) so I finally got my self a new computer and I was going to fit my m audio 2496 but then I found out it didn't fit in my computer and that my motherboard uses the newer 64 bit pci
So I need to get a new interface and decided that instead of crawling under my desk I would get a usb interface. So I have been looking at either the:

M-audio fast track pro
M-AUDIO - Fast Track Pro - 4 x 4 Mobile USB Audio/MIDI Interface with Preamps
M-audio fast track ultra
M-AUDIO - Fast Track Ultra - High-speed 8 x 8 USB 2.0 Interface with MX Core DSP Technology

However, I don't want to spend a fortune due to not being very good yet, yet I don't want to feel like I want to upgrade really soon. I also want to make sure I have outputs for studio monitors
So any suggestions or which should I go for between these to?

 

[Thought-Police]

This may not be popular lol, but I use the POD studio GX as my interface and never have any problems with it, and I just use a stero splitter on the headphone out and use one input for my headphones and the other has a 1/8 to RCA wire that goes into monitors, it works well for me and only cost $100 plus you get pod farm with it, if you don't want to go that route I've heard the presonus audio box is good for the money.

 

[Lrrrr]

Focusrite Saffire 6. Do it.

 

[Peteus]

Focusrite Saffire 6. Do it.

That did look good.
I also saw one called presonus audiobox usb.

I presume usb 2 is the way forward so how about this:
E-MU Systems - USB Audio/MIDI Interfaces

Any other suggestions?
Or are they all the same and nothings going to get much better until a couple of £!00 more.

 

[Thought-Police]

Or are they all the same and nothings going to get much better until a couple of £!00 more.

I can't say 100% but, that most likely is the case.

Every suggestion given is going to be subjective anyway, someone may say one is a piece of crap while another may have no problems with it, I say buy what you want and try it. If it sucks return it. That's why receipts and return policies exist

 

[IbanezJ2GA]

I got a firestudio mobile off ebay for $230 with shipping brandnew and is excellent. Its hard beating this interface unless your going to spend ALOT more. I had a maudio interface and it crapped out on me so didnt go with maudio the next time. Heard focusrite is a good option too.

 

[KingAenarion]

Firewire > USB

 

[Peteus]

Firewire > USB

I was thinking of that, Is the m-audio 410 any good?

 

[KingAenarion]

I was thinking of that, Is the m-audio 410 any good?

To be honest, I've never much liked M-Audio stuff. Most of the time It's a bit hit and miss. Some people will have no problems at all, while some will spend weeks punching themselves getting it to work.

The brands I have found to be consistently good are RME, Focusrite and MOTU.

Presonus and M-Audio are good but cheaply assembled.

 

[mgh]

if roundtrip latency is important (if you use guitar amp sims, for example) then go for the m-audio fast track ultra. not bad specs either for the price. M-Audio Fast Track Ultra focusrite/presonus have nice preamps but not great drivers. only other low-latency USB interfaces are RME, but they cost more bucks.
OTOH, a Texas Instruments FW card is fairly cheap, and then brings other FW interfaces into play, i use Echo, but Roland, RME, MOTU are also good. But if you want USB, then i would go for the m-audio.