Upgrading Audio Interface

[GDOGG]

Looking to upgrade my external soundcard for a number of reasons. Basically need one with more inputs and outputs and midi. Currently using a Lexicon Alpha interface and was looking at buying the M-AUDIO fast track pro. Want to be able to send midi out to a hardware synth (Roland 106) and back through to ableton for producing purposes. Would this work with fast track pro? and secondly I want the option of hooking up to an external mixer. All of this possible with the M-audio? As I've just had the Lexicon none of this has been a problem. Also means I'm a bit of a novice at routing audio/midi through Live.

Thoughts?

[Hermanus]

focusrite has some good audio interfaces both usb and firewire.

Depending on your budget, you could find one with several in/out + midi in/out

[Nightwriter]

Focusrite Saphire soundcards or NI Audio interfaces. I personally have the NI Audio 8 as I got it at a discounted price and they're very easy to set up. I have the fast track pro when i first started, it's a bit too basic for what I needed and it sounds like the same for yourself. Hope this helps.

[eddiex]

the fast track will work for what you want it to do......i have one...i don't control an external keyboard/drum machine with it with midi, but i have in the past, and it works fine.....currently i have a mixer with the outputs going to the inputs of my fast track...i have a bunch of synth drone boxes and a mic. i run through the mixer..into the F.T.P.
however, all that being said.....i don't fully 100% endorse the F.T.P.....if i had the money, i would probably buy something better.
by the way, which version of live do you have.....if you don't have the full version you can't control an external instrument.