Please, tell me about USB soundcards.

If you have the ability to go firewire...I would definitly go with it.
But, you can get away with USB and get some pretty good recordings out of it for sure.

Whats your price range?

Theres plenty of good options to go with for both
Firewire:
M-audio Firewire solo($200)4 inputs,2outs
M-audio firewire 410($300)4 inputs,8outs
Focusrite saffire($400)2 xlr inputs, 8 out TRS
M-audio mbox 2($549 with factory bundle and
ProtoolsLe) 2 inputs,2 outs

USB:
M-audio fasttrack USB($100)2 inputs, 2 outs
M-audio Mobilepre USB($150)5 inputs,3outs
Tascam us-122($200)6 inputs,3 outputs
Alesis 10/2($200)4 inputs,2 outs (24bit/96khz usb)
Lexicon Omega studio($300)4 inputs,2 outs(24bit/48khz)
Makie spike($400)2inputs,2 outs (24 bit/96khz usb)

 

Interface units.
I currently run 256mb ram and have no problem with the M-audio fasttrack. On the others I think you should be fine but dont qoute me on that.....

If worse comes to worse what does it cost to upgrade another 512mb? arnt the cards like really cheap now?I know ive seen them for like $50 or $60 bucks.

 

Definately go for Firewire if you can. The USB units I've worked with don't seem to be as trusty in those valuable times...

I'd recommend AGAINST the M-Audio units. The drivers aren't all that reliable.

the Focusrite saffire is a little inflated in price for what it is...

Look into the Presonus Firebox and/or Firepod depending on how many simultaneous tracks you plan on doing.

 

I use a Tascam US122 and I've never had any issues with it.

 

Don't see it mentioned much, but the Line 6 Tone Port is bodacious.
I described my experience a bit here...

 

I am using a cheap Novation X-Station, works like charm for my hobbiest uses. The advantage is the small keyboard and the synth and soft-synth that comes with it, that both are of high quality.

 

just wanted to note that mbox is actually USB, not firewire

I'll throw another into the mix that I'm considering for my laptop:

EMU 1616 or 1616M

it actually plugs into your PCMCIA port on your laptop. this is supposed to be faster than both USB and Firewire. the EMU bundle of software also looks pretty cool, but is a bit more $ than many of the USB or Firewire options

http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?category=505&subcategory=491&product=13554

 

The Mbox 2 that I use at home is a great unit and has been more reliable than the digi 002r that I have at my studio.