if it is a hard disk recorder he doesn't need a sound card, the HD recroder should record everything in .wav format and be able to do a data dump via usb or firewire. and to that end noone needs an m-audio sound card i highly recommend against any m-audio products as they are in general flimsy and poor sounding. for cheap i would go edirol.
!@#$%! nothing against what you are saying though, just not m-audio, lol