My M-Audio Fast Track Ultra is losing its grip on reality, and M-Audio isn't supporting it anymore with driver updates. Looks like it's time for a new one.
Anyone have any recommendations? I'm doing some research, but I also want to hear what you all have to say.
Thanks in advance!

Well ... I can't claim any superiority as I haven't used anything but I've had two MOTU units and loved them both. The first was the 828mkII. When I decided to go all digital with my live rig, I opted to scale down a bit size wise and picked up the MOTU Ultralite mk3. Both units have multiple audio inputs/outputs, at least one hi-Z input, and at least one MIDI in/out.

What is your computer like? I am particularly interested in your operating system, preferred DAW, and available peripheral ports.

MOTU is a really good value, but I chose to go with Focusrite for two reasons:

1. MOTU has demonstrated outright hostility, on multiple occasions, toward open source software developers.
2. Focusrite has done just the opposite.

I should have stated before that I'm looking to have an 8-channel (or better) interface so I can track drums - REAL drums. (For the most part.)
As far as my DAW: I thought I had come close to deciding. I demo'd Reaper and it was pretty cool, but it did NOT want to import any .wma files - in order to move tracks (originally recorded on Nuendo) from the tune I demo'd onto Reaper, I had to do an audio mixdown of each track to convert them to .wav files, which Reaper accepts. So I moved away from Reaper. Now it's been so long I don't know what I last "settled on."
Edit: It was Ableton Live 9
(System-wise: I'm using Windows 7 on a laptop with a decent amount of memory, and an external hard drive where all my music audio files are stored).

I started that show us your recording rig a month or so ago because I was stepping into this pool
This is my first DAW and it is really just more for fun then anything else

I went with the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Now I'm well into learning how to use Ableton Live ( lite 9 is what comes with it )

I'm running through a Rane SP-13 and a pair of Boss VF-1's and so far it really is a nice interface ( I think it was right around $500 )

But now I'm starting to learn VST and all the other stuff that go along with DAW

Tom ( in Austin )

Hmm...I had really quickly looked at that Focusrite earlier today, just a glance, but I went back to it thanks to your words; looks very intriguing. Plenty of inputs for my drum set at its fusiony fullest (Vinnie Colaiuta-type setup with the occasional secondary snare and 3rd floor tom) PLUS room to spare.
And heck, if it comes with Ableton software, at least for a while I can make ONE purchase and call it good for a while.
I'll need to check out whether it's USB 2 or 3, and some other particulars, but this one's on my list.

U need to MOTU!

In other words, Reaper?
And by "hostility", do you mean that it just doesn't work with such products, or that the company and/or its personnel have conveyed disparaging remarks about them?

I mean that MOTU, referring to their hardware, has refused to help open source developers and said that such development should not be done.

Luc, just moved into computerland (Windows7 Pro) and started "shopping". want alot of audio inputs too. was directed to the Focusrite Scarlett. no where near making a purchase (told'em that) so they had no reason to push it. keep me posted, now my ears are perking up...