Tell us a bit more about what you want to use it for and the type of mics you have to plug into it. Do you need a DI input? Do you need headphone output? Will you be tracking with it and need zero-latency monitoring?

i'll be plugging in a couple of condender mics for recording piano.

Not entirely sure what DI input is, but don't think so! just literally 2xXLR connections for mics and USB output for editing on laptop. I guess headphone output would be useful though!

I've been using the Focusrite 2i2 for about 2 months now and I like what it does. All I needed was a 2 in/2 out USB interface for my new laptop and after a lot of research decided to try the 2i2. This was quite a departure for me after recording to multi-channel (8+) interfaces costing much more (10 X) than the $109 2i2 and using a PC in a dedicated home studio environment that's been treated and relatively tuned. For the first time I was going to try going "mobile" with a cheap interface that's only 2 in/2 out.

At first the 2i2 had its challenges but I was able to address them by optimizing the laptop for audio performance and familiarizing myself with using the 2i2 as a serious tool. The most important thing I've discovered about the 2i2 so far has been that it's designed primarily to play real nice with high impedance mic's. That doesn't mean you can only use high impedance mic's; just that it's easier and you don't have to worry so much about clipping the input.

The sound of the pre's is what strikes me the most about the 2i2 though. The sound is much nicer than anything else in that price range IMO and on par with interfaces costing 4 times as much and that's what seals the deal for me. The sound is smooth, flattering and a little sweet as compared to most of its competitor's sounding a little too pristine and crisp. I think the 2i2 is worth your consideration based on the needs you outlined.

The Focusrite 2i2 is as good as any of them at around the £100 mark, and should work well for what you say you need to do. For monitoring, it's got a direct monitor switch (as opposed to a blend control) for routing the inputs to headphones.

In your [[url=http://[/URL]="http://recording.or…"]previous thread[/]="http://recording.or…"]previous thread[/], we were talking about the difference between an audio interface such as the 2i2 and going for an all-in-one recorder such as the Zoom H4N, and you said there that you thought of spending about £200 on microphones. Have you decided which ones to go for, or is that going to be the next question?