Just to clarify the use of this equipment...

[mike1123]

I'm basically looking to refresh my equipment. I run Logic Studio right now with a cheap Yamaha keyboard. I want to get (and I'm on a budget so, yeah...):

For keyboard, either the
Axiom 61 http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Axiom61.html, or the
Keystation 61es http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Keystation61es.html
Do the knobs and such integrate well with Logic, and are they easy to use for someone who has never used hardware knobs and pads before? (I'm guessing you assign the knobs for parameters, but say you switch tracks, and the knob is in one position, does the next track automatically adjust to that position?)

Second, for the monitors, the M-Audio AV40's
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/StudiophileAV40.html
I've heard good things about these as budget monitors; again, I'm on a budget, but these are replacing some "premium Dell bundle speakers", so I'm guessing there will be an improvement.

Thirdly, and most uncertainly, the audio interface. I was looking in the M-Audio Fast Track Pro.
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FastTrackPro.html
I want the TRS outputs because they are presumably better to use than RCA (correct?) In addition, say I connect this to my iMac via USB and plug the speakers and my new keyboard into it, I take it the sound quality will be much better than it is now using my iMac's built in sound card as output through the headphone jack (as analog), even though the input is simply midi data through USB (I won't be recording any live instruments, but I couldn't find a cheaper box w/ the TRS) Is this a fair assumption?

Thank you so much for your help.

 

[ashjamben]

just to answer the question about logic and the assignable knobs.

they're very easy to assign to different parameters for different plug ins n stuff. you basically pick the parameter, then twist the knob/slider you want to control it and it'll assign.

and no, it won't mess with any other controls. its hard to explain, but as long as u dont touch them the values you set on screen will stay the same

 

[mike1123]

Ok, I'll take your word for it

Anyway, I found this http://www.behringer.com/FCA202/index.cfm?lang=eng, and I think it's probably better than the Fast Track Pro USB for what I need.

 

[zootie]

i know you said you were on a budget but these http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_fireface_400.php are really good, i run it with Cubase SX and live and is perfect for what i do..