....... You only need the midi ports if you use midi and if the midi keyboard doesn't connect via USB. ......
Thanks Herb, I sometimes use an old Kurzweil PC2X for sounds and as controller. No usb, that's why I was asking. Come next desktop upgrade, doubt I'll be able to transfer my MAudio 2496 (requires extra PCIe slot, not common now on stock motherboards).
So separate midi and audio usb interfaces don't create timing glitches? No big deal, will probably go with single unit that has both - as suggested above. Thx guys.
-Ron