Okay, Mac.
The switch to MME drivers solved the problem with the Samson mike; both recording and playback worked fine.

But now I can't hear my keyboard through PT.

o I disconnected the Samson;
o Plugged the speakers back into the E-MU, made it the default instead of the Samson;
o Switched drivers back to ASIO:

Keyboard sound through PT came roaring back. Any thoughts as to why?

* * * * *
Glad to know the Shure '58 will do nicely. You didn't mention whether I'd need a preamp/mixer with the E-MU 0404. If so, I'll look a mixer starting tomorrow.

Thanks for everything.

Windows 7; BB2009; PTv12; Yamaha Portable Grand piano YPG535; E-MU 0404 soundcard & PatchMix DSP Mixer software; Shure PG58 microphone; Behringer Xenyx 802 mic preamp mixer