Pro Tools, unless you're using Pro Tools M-Powered, requires Digidesign hardware. Since Avid owns both Digidesign and M-Audio, the M-Powered version of Pro Tools will work with some of the M-Audio cards. That's Pro Tools.

Software such as PowerTracks Pro Audio, Real Band, Sonar, Cubase, N-Tracks and others will all work with any card that Windows (assuming Windows, here) will detect. In fact, in my system, I have the on-board Realtek, an Asus Xonar, and a M-Audio 2496. I can use all three. Admittedly, the timing issues get a little hairy in Sonar, but for Real Band or PTW, it's not an issue.

I think one of the things that you should do is to post your requirements, now and for in the future...your expectations...and from there, we can suggest interfaces and software. However, I still stand by my belief that Band In A Box and Real Track is all you need to get you started.

Gary


I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!