I would highly advise against getting anything from Creative if you want to do recording. They are primarily gaming and entertainment cards and lack the proper drivers and features for audio recording. I actually just upgraded my Sound Blaster Extigy USB card about two weeks ago because I wasn't having any luck in recording some of my mixes. I ended up buying the Terratec Phase 26 USB, and so far so good... not to mention it sure blows the Extigy out of the water in terms of sound quality. However, the Terratec is about $250-275.
EDIT: Just saw you ended up buying the USB Audiophile, but I thought I'd add my input anyway. I was actually considering the M-Audio card myself, but in the end, I just wasn't all that impressed with it.
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"...the major problem in the past was to locate the settings of the ancient plastic city. referring to our latest findings plastic city wasn't a city built of stone or metal but more kind of built out of ideas.... (PLASTIC CITY) can't be found by our archaeologists. we will have to examine the ideas and then try to re-construct plastic city in out minds..." (EXCERPT FROM "SCIENTIST REPORT NETWORK" #12.587, YEAR 2495)
May-06-2006 02:49
sr126
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Aug 2005
Location: los angeles, usa
if you haven't purchased yet... check out the emu1212m it's sexy. it fits your budget w/money to spare.
i bought mine through ebay, from creative's store -they own emu.
my card was refurbished, and has a warranty. still working perfectly after 6months.
May-06-2006 14:53
sr126
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Aug 2005
Location: los angeles, usa
i need to improve my reading comprehension... or at least pay more attention to what i'm reading... i just noticed you're asking about an "EXTERNAL" card. not an internal like the one i was suggesting.
sorry, i don't have a recommendation for something in the price range you're looking for.
May-07-2006 08:14
Timski
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Nov 2004
Location: Smellbourne
I have an edirol UA-EX1... Does a nice job i must admit..