which soundcard for my needs? (input quagmire)

i'm working with the following:

- 1990 keyboard sampler (ensoniq eps 16+)---->
- one turntable going into --->
- one DJ mixer/controller--->master out directly into the keyboard.

and to a lesser extent (but this will grow in importance)

- maschine (both software and hardware)
- one electric guitar
- eventually ableton live and a microphone

currently the keyboard is my main workstation and the main task is routing that into the computer for recording. it has dual 1/8" outs, and most soundcards only have single 1/8" inputs. i have a Y adapter, and a Y cable, but does that mean i could only record in mono? (sorry for the newbie question).

i'm looking at the NI Komplete Audio 6 and Focusrite 2i6, both of which seem to have plenty of Ins for future growth, AND those dual 1/8" inputs. do i need those dual 1/8" inputs?

if not, i should be able to perfectly get by with the 2i2 or 2i4, correct? what exactly can those RCA outputs on the 2i4 be used for? i only need one set of monitors.

thanks!

Yeah but no 1/8" ins or outs... you have 1/4" in and outs... the same as your ensoniq. You run that directly in. No need for Y cables.. you run the left out of the eps into channel 1, and the right into channel 2 on the interface.... or maybe 3/4 if you prefer saving 1 and 2 for mics.

yeah that was a typo. i got it now, thanks.

one slightly related question - do i need balanced TRS cables in order to record in stereo? think read that somewhere but can't recall exactly...

no. You can use a pair of ordinary mono cables because you have two.. one for left and one for right. If you are at your local shop, one common brand you might see is digiflex.. they have 1/4" instrument cables... those will do fine. Even guitar cables will work technically...