Audio Interface access from laptop when connected to MPC Liv

So not 100% sure how to explain this but here goes...

I am using an extenral AI on my MPC Live 2 for a bunch of external hardware audio routing back in to the MPC via the AI. This bit works great and love it!

I now have my laptop I want to use as an input in to the MPC (record samples from laptop in to MPC). I have my laptop connected to the USB cable that came with the MPC.

When the MPC is in controller mode I can set my audio settings on my laptop (mac) to use the AI for output (UMC1820) however when the MPC is in standalone there is no option of choosing the AI on my laptop while still connected to the MPC.

Obviously the AI only has one USB connector so was hoping I could have that on my MPC and still record samples from my laptop to the MPC in standalone and alos hear sounds from my laptop through the AI (saves swapping over while working and everything is connected).

Not sure if that makes sense but hoping someone smarter than me understands it!

Could you not go the stupidly easy route, and go from your headphone out, into thr mpc live in?

Or am I over simplifying?

I don't use an audio interface with my mpc, so can't speak to your question.