After looking in here for years as a guest, this is my first post. Maybe someone has made experiences with the following situation and could give me advice.

I am looking for a good Audio/MIDI solution for live performances using a laptop.
Currently I´m using a standard PC notebook with a built-in AC 97 compatible Soundchip (ALC 201A by Realtek). The available Ports are USB 2.0, Firewire, CardBus or Parallel Port (bet there´s no device for that).

I want to use Logic Audio as sequencer in connection with a MIDI Masterkeyboard to use PlugIn sounds.
I have a nice MOTU Micro Express as MIDI Port, but it would be more suitable to have a MIDI Port on the Sound Device, cause you don´t have all the extra cables and the installed MOTU Driver is preventing the standby mode.

So, what I need is a low latency ASIO capable Soundcard without crackling background hisses and noises (remember that going through a big PA), good sound quality (sure), and optionally a nice MIDI Port. I really only need two analog outputs, but an input would be nice if there´s an ocassion for just recording something at home.

I am interested in following products: Echo Indigo or M-Audio Transit USB for the audio only solution with the Micro Express; Edirol UA-20 or Tascam US 122 for the all in one thing.

The Echo Indigo seems to be a card giving special attention to audio quality just having 2 channels out on a mini plug with a volume knob without having any gimcracks you don´t really need. And it´s a CardBus Device, so you don´t have any extra wires to mess with. I´m really into hardware like that, but i read some posts reporting problems with the drivers, unlocked samplerates etc. that i couldn´t understand cause i don´t have the card yet. Maybe someone could help me? Someone said the Echo Indigo is based on RME technology. Is that right?

The M-Audio Transit USB is pretty fresh, but it has ASIO and has the advantage of 2 inputs and a digital out (though I don´t need it) compared to the Indigo. And it´s cheaper!

The Tascam US 122 has more features, better Connections (XLR and 6,3mm Phone Jacks) but I´m not sure about the MIDI Port Has it a good timing? The Edirol stuff is known for having very good MIDI Ports.

What do you think? Thanks in advance.

similar topics:
-> http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....showtopic=21315
-> http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....showtopic=16393
lu

Another thing about the "M-Audio Transit USB": There is a problem with active loudspeakers: Pressing a record button you can hear an initialization noise (depending upon reinforcement is accordingly loud and dangerous to your hardware). However I still cant't find a prefect USB soundcard. See the german c't magazin "c't 5 (23.02.2004)" for details. dev0 scanned the results.

RME Multiface with Cardbus. Top notch build quality, excellent sonics, and absolutely stable drivers. Cannot be matched!

Check it out here.