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Digital recording’s interest has been growing on the subject of using computers for recording purposes or for creating effects or anything your imagination dreams of, it seems like time to Discuss and briefly brake down into terms you understand the options available such as the PCI, Firewire, USB 2.0, Cardbus, USB 1.1 setups.If you are using PC software, get a desktop system. If running Mac software, the Mac desktops do it best. Ifit has to be a laptop, get a Mac. If it has to be a PC laptop, do firewire, USB 2.0, or a cardbus. Or consider using onboard sound with various adapters and connecting a small preamp to the line inputs.USB 1.1Perhaps the most well-known USB 1.1 interface is the Mbox2Mini, which runs Pro Tools LE. If you want to run that, make sure your laptop meets or exceeds Digidesign qualifications, which you can find at the Digidesign site. There is the M-Audio MobilePre USB Portable Audio Interface and Fast track Pro USB interfaces and the original Tascam US 122 which uses USB2.0.USB2.0The newer form of USB, based on the 2.0 spec, is theoretically capable of slightly exceeding the speeds and throughput of firewire, so USB2.0 devices can make good solutions for laptops or desktops that sport a USB 2.0 interface. There is a huge world of difference between USB 1.1 and 2.0. Never confuse the two; it’s night and day difference in terms of performance.. Also never assume an interface is USB 2.0 unless it specifically says it is. If it just says USB, then assume it is 1.1. Believe me, if it was 2.0, they would tell you. There are more USB 2.0 interfaces out, though it is changing. Some notable USB2.0 interfaces are the Tascam US122L and Tascam US144. There is also a version of the MOTU 828mk2 that is USB 2.0 instead of Firewire. Newer to the scene are the Emu 0404 and 0202, and the Alesis IO2.CardBusSolutions are for laptops. One way is to get an RME Cardbus solution. The Cardbus connects via a typical Firewire IEEE1394 cable to a breakout box such as the RME Multiface. Because the Multiface handles most of the processing, the CPUs task is eased and good performance is possible. Read more at RMEs website. Emu has released the 1616 laptop audio interface. There are other cardbus solutions. Ask yourself one question before going with a Cardbus solution, why get this rather than firewire?PCI and PCIePCI (and PCIe for those with late model desktop Macs) interfaces are for desktop systems, not for laptops. Lynx, RME and MOTU on the pro end. Emu’s desktop series, M-audio’s Delta series, and the Echo series are all respectable. On the inexpensive side the emu 1212M and M-audio 2496 are known performers. Also check out the PCI version of the Emu 1616M. Note to use a PCI card you have to have an open PCI slot on your computer. While I know that seems obvious, nowadays some computers are sold without PCI slots. Believe it, so check!FirewireGood for laptops or desktops. Motu has released the Traveler, a portable, but full featured audio interface. You can actually power the thing from the firewire port itself, or by battery power which I discuss in the article Beware of Proprietary Connections When Buying Guitar Gear and Equipment, which is good for recording on the road. Heh, you could record Rainy Days on a rainy day!Need something more portable? The most popular picks that balance plenty of features with affordable pricing is the MOTU 828mkII FireWire Audio Interface for my Mac Pro and the Intel-based Macs. For the PC, if one were buying today, the 19th of February, 2008 I would get a RME Fireface 400 FireWire Audio Interface