Do I need an audio interface?

Hey!
Bothering you guys once again with a question:

Do I need an audio interface when I make beats with following set-up:
Computer VST > MIDI-Keyboard > To MPC1k with MIDI-cable > Monitors.
And also when I would mix my beats with a software on my laptop and I'd have my monitors hooked up to the laptop, would the beat sound different than on a good soundcard and then my mixes would be all **** up?

I've noticed this when I make a beat on the MPC and then record it and transfer it to my computer and listen to it (unmixed of course), it sounds thinner and more ''cheaper'' than inside the MPC, so I have figured out MPC uses better soundcard, module or whatever.

I bought MIDI-keyboard this week and going to get studio monitors in 3 weeks once I get paid from work.
And I really need to know this because I have like 450 euro budget and I only can get 300€ monitors and audio interface or just the 450€ monitors, which would be nice.

An Audio Interface is a plus! Definitely the sound card of the interface is way better then any sound card in a computer. As for the monitors or the interface, depends which you need more. I would say if your midi keyboard has midi in and outs, get your self an interface that just has audio inputs and outputs (their cheaper their sound card is better then a computer but not the best) Like an Mbox mini for example. And I'm sure you will have extra money to buy monitors.

dont cheap out on monitors, because 6 months from now you may be like..."damn, i want better monitors"

for interfaces, they usually help A LOT. try firewire if you can support it. mackie makes some great interfaces.

i got tired of software, and im going the hardware route. im buying a Tascam DP02, and hook a reverb (thinking of the TC M-one Reverb) to the DP02 and then run the outs of my Mackie U420 into that.

Multitracks do a good job of not coloring your sound when recording, and I prefer hardware effects over software plugs (because i refuse to dish out big bucks to get the good plugins)

research good interface, preferably firewire, and that will act as your new soundcard instead of your actual computers soundcard.

LOL I just found out my laptop actually has the firewire, I didn't even know that..

Yeah I think I'll save some money for a good interface, is Focusrite Saffire Pro any good? It has 4 analogue inputs and 2 line inputs, I could use it for tracking out my beats to my laptop and then mix it? I really don't know because I haven't figured out all the mixing and tracking stuff yet. But I guess that'll get the job done.

Now for the monitors, I already made a thread about it 2 weeks ago, and was thinking about copping either the HS50M's or KRK RP5's. Now I'm having second thought about them. They both have only 5'' cone, HS50M's are said to be too harsh on the high ends and make the mixing unconfortable and KRK's are muddy and they colour the sound too much.
So I was looking around for the monitors and found Fostex PM-1 MKII and RCF Ayra Six, they both look good and with 6 inch cones. The problem is I couldn't find any good reviews, I found some about the Fostex monitors but couldn't find a single one about the RCF's.
They're both the same price 430 euros a pair.
I live in Finland and none of the stores have HS50M's, Fostex or RCF's, I'd have to order them from germany without knowing how they sound.

Should I just buy the KRK RP6's or try out the Fostex or RCF's?

yamaha hs50m's all day.

What kind of music you produce? I see you're happy with them but can you describe WHY they're good for you? Have you noticed any harshness on the high ends and when you mix does something bother you and therefore make the mixing process unplesant?

i can say this... they're neutral which is what monitors are supposed to be. that harshness on the high ends is nonsense, i've never experienced that... they've got enough settings on the back to configure them properly for your room. the 5 inch woofers are fine for a small room... but if you really feel the need, you can always add a subwoofer later on [doesn't have to be the yamaha subwoofer]... the krk's on the other hand are bass-heavy and do color the sound... for the price, the yamahas are the way to go in my opinion.

i haven't tried the fostex or RCF's though... so i honestly can't speak on those...

Would it be too stupid to buy HS80M's to a bedroom studio?
It's just that I don't want to end up buying new monitors every two months because the previous weren't enough for me. I can get a pair with monitor stands for 490 euros.

no, that wouldn't be dumb... if you can afford the hs80m's then get those instead...