The XLR/TRS inputs are 'smart' and will automatically adjust for a line, mic or high-impedance input signal. The front panel of the breakout box itself is rather minimalist in appearance, with just a power LED, two combi XLR/TRS inputs with input controls and three-stage LED metering, a phantom power switch and a headphone output with volume control. In essence, the Layla 3G is a PCI-based interface with a neat 1U rackmounting breakout box, offering an eight-in/eight-out analogue configuration with additional digital I/O (a further eight channels of I/O using the ADAT connectivity). Buss-mastering PCI host interface provides power to breakout box 3.3V and 5V compatible.Headphone output: high-quality quarter-inch headphone jack with volume control on front panel.ADAT digital I/O: 24-bit I/O over optical connection, 44.1kHz and 48kHz sample rates supported.S/PDIF digital I/O: up to 24-bit resolution via optical or co-axial connector.Converters: 128x oversampling converters, 24-bit data resolution maintained throughout signal path.Nominal I/O level: +4dBu or -10dBV (software configurable).Eight analogue outputs on balanced TRS connectors.Eight analogue inputs: two Neutrik Universal connectors for balanced TRS or XLR and six balanced TRS connectors.So how does the performance of the Layla 3G, which on paper looks well specified, compare to its more expensive competitors? Echo are now shipping the '3G' (third-generation) versions of the Gina and Layla, priced at £330 and £430 respectively. Echo have always had a good reputation in this particular area, and their Gina, Layla and Mia devices have all received positive SOS reviews in the past. Fortunately, whether PCI, USB or Firewire-based, there is also a range of mid-priced products available that are snapping at the heels of their more expensive peers. Of course, not everyone can justify spending £800-plus on an audio interface. For example, in recent months SOS has looked at several Firewire-based units including the Digi 002 Rack, MOTU 828 MkII, RME Fireface and Yamaha i88X, all of which are very impressive. For those seeking multi-channel audio, digital I/O and MIDI I/O in a single device, at the upper end of the market, the current crop of products is particularly tempting. As outlined by Martin Walker in his November 2004 article on this very subject, there is something for almost everyone, whatever the combination of features required and cash available. When it comes to selecting an audio interface for a computer-based recording system, musicians now have a bewildering choice. Echo's range of computer hardware has always been popular with musicians, and the company have now launched the 'third generation' of their Layla and Gina multi-channel audio and MIDI interfaces.