Clarification about tracking out, interfaces, and MPC/DAW sy

Yo, I got my first MPC (a 500) a few months ago, and I've been using the hell out of it, I love it!! I've been making so many tight beats, and I've gone through my fair share of technical related frustrations and hair-tearing, but I think I'm finally fluent and ready to start tapping out gems and getting them in the ears of my MC homies so that we can start rapping it up! Before getting the MPC, I made a ton of beats on FL. Now, I want to work on piecing together my studio setup so that I can use my MPC in conjunction with FL Studio. I understand that I need an external soundcard (was looking at the Presonus Audiobox) and MIDI cables, etc. I want to be able to seamlessly track out individual tracks from the MPC into FL so that I can really mix and master so that my work finally sounds professional. I want those huge bass drums and the crispiest of snares, I want my basslines to bump, and I want to be able to mix in me and my crews' verses! What else do I need to buy?

Also, when my MPC is finally synced with my DAW, will I be able to chop my samples in FL and transport them to the pads, rather than using the "record" function? I've seen people doing this on videos on Youtube but I'm so confused about how all this syncing works. "Seamlessness" being my main focus, what do you recommend I cop?

Thank you kind sir. Diggin this forum

What a concise and simple breakdown, that's exactly what I needed. What exactly is the audiobox for? I've been using 1/4 cables going from the output of my MP directly to my computer and recording into Audacity...is the audiobox gonna make the whole thing sound cleaner? Also, I usually use my electric bass and bass amp (amp line out going into MPC input, using record function on MP) to lay bass over tracks, will the audiobox be able to record my bass well too? and mic? or do i need a bigger external soundcard for that stuff? i called guitarcenter to see if they knew what was up, but they were throwing "$800"s and "$1000"s at me, which is way out the budget....

What exactly is the audiobox for?
It's an audio interface, fancy name for better soundcard than you've been using as input into your computer. No youcannot use both, computer soundcard and audiobox at the same time.

is the audiobox gonna make the whole thing sound cleaner?
It's better than stock computer soundcards I'm betting.

do i need a bigger external soundcard for that stuff?

More inputs/outputs means more gear connected and running at the same time.








This one is firewire only

Or an actual mixer/audio usb interface. USD $159.99 +Tax

LINK Behringer Xenyx 1204USB

The Behringer and Tascam actually look dope. I noticed the Tascam had a pic of it's own DAW? I would still be able to sync the MP with any DAW through that, right? Just making sure. And if there aren't enough ports on the ext soundcard for all my instruments 9mp, bass, mic, etc.), I can always switch them out when recording, correct?

http://www.amazon.com/TASCAM-US-322-2-O ... cam+us+366

This is looking pretty good to me too...I'm interested in purchasing a decent mic too, plus I need midi cables and probably some extra TRS cables, and I'm trying to do this all under $200-250, so I wouldnt want to spend more that $150 on the interface itself. I'll probably either go for this Tascam or the Audiobox. I'd rather spend less money and have 2/2 in/outputs, I could have my MP/bass at the same time, which would be ideal. If this Tascam works the same way as the Audiobox does (the way you broke it down in your first post), and it can synch my MPC/FL studio, I think I'll go ahead and cop this this week. In terms of mics, is the Shure sm58 a good bet? Sorry to go off on a tangent. I'm interested in recording some instruments through the mic (bongos/rainstick/etc) but will probably mainly be using it for verses. I understand I'd need a pop filter as well. Really appreciate the help, this stuff is finally getting clear

Man, now I'm stuck between my digital options (audio box/tascam) and that analog Behringer mixer. Which is easier for a beginner to learn to mix on, the analog Behringer or just my DAW?