12steps

Hello, New to the board. Not to recording, but I need some help. I record live speaker events and have been doing so using a pc, sound forge for software, podium condensor mics and an alesis usb mixer. Recently, I bought a laptop and after doing research, found an maudio firewire interface (sound card) and used it to record one two day recording last weekend. Been having some problems with this solution and I was wondering if anyone else uses something other than firewire or is there, more importantly, some firewire mixers or soundcards that one would REALLY recommend? I am trying to simplify what I have to lug to gigs, but, lol....it is getting more complex as I am getting frustrated with the limitations of and danger of frying my other equipment re: maudio firewire soundcard. Looking forward to hearing from you! Li