I'd be cautious about running it as an additional audio interface if you're planning on adding another dedicated audio preamp interface. You might run into some issues using two sound drivers at once on your system.
Your best bet would be to get an external 2 channel pre/i-o, such as a Presonus or Focusrite, and then using the M Audio as a USB midi controller for VSTi's, as you have been doing this far. Or, you could look into one of the models mentiones above with midi built in. This would keep things organized into one device - that being said I don't see any problems using your current midi configuration, as long as you're not using two audio drivers - especially two different audio drivers/devices at the same time.
I mean, you could try using both at once, but be prepared for potential (probable) issues to occur (clock/sync, latency, etc).
Depending on what you have to spend, both Focusrite and Presonus make very good budget/entry level preamps/i-o's, and each makes models both with midi and without.
-d.

Thank you Donny, let me see if I understand it right:
I can get some audio interface of this type

and, after I connect midi-keyboard to the new interface as a midi, everything should be ok?

- Does it mean that I'd have to unplug it's usb cabel from PC?
- Will I be able to use keyboard as a digital piano as usual? (not just as a midi / vst controller)
- Will the new interface somehow "ignore" the old Asio drivers, and start working on it's own?
- How to make new audio interface "the main" interface?

I mean..all I want is to keep all the funcionality that my old interface-keyboard has, and just to add the new interface to it, with some new and hopefully better options, like phantom power (so I can add a condenser microphone) and less noise for guitar..

English is not my main language, but I hope I made it simple understandable :)

What DAW platform are you using?

Reaper, Mixcraft, Audacity

If you got a USB interface such as the Focusrite Scarlett 2-4 that you illustrated, you could use a single MIDI cable to go from the MIDI out on the Prokeys Sono 61 keyboard (5th socket from the right on the rear panel) to the MIDI IN connector on the Scarlett, and then disconnect the USB cable to the keyboard. You would have all the previous keyboard functions available, but now the MIDI data would travel through the MIDI data stream of the Focusrite Scarlett. In addition, you would have good-quality audio I/O, including proper microphone, line and instrument inputs.

The DAW will not look for the keyboard as its interface if there is no USB cable to the keyboard.

Thank you Boswell, I understand that, but if I disconnect the USB cable, then I'll lose the "standalone piano" function (to play piano without powering the PC on).
The speakers are now connected to M-Audio
I suppose, if the Focusrite should be the main audio-interface, then the speakers should be also connected to it (which means that I'll lose the option to hear the onboard sounds from M-Audio)
Or I must have two sets of speakers for the whole thing..?

I may be missing something here, but how does the USB cable have any function when the PC is powered off?

If you need USB power to be maintained, a cheap USB mains adaptor of the type used for phone charging would supply that.

I don't really know..it's just that when I shut down PC, I can still play keyboards (with it's build-in sounds and switched On of course. Keaboard has On/Off switch behind).

OK, do a quick test. Have the keyboard playing with the PC powered off, then pull out the USB cable. Does the sound stop? Most computers still have power available at their USB sockets even when the computer is off (mains needed of course).

Sure, when I pull out the USB cable there is no sound.
The keyboard itself has an option for 9V power supply though, but I don't use it.

Good. That proves that your computer still produces 5V at the USB connectors even when it's in standby mode (software powered down).

The simple thing to do is to buy either the correct 9V plugtop power supply for the keyboard, or else a mains USB power adaptor of the type used for charging modern mobile phones. If you go with the USB power adaptor, be sure to get a 2 Amp version.

I have an old Digidesign MBox 1 (with Focusrite pre-amps) which I sometimes use as an emergency pair of pre-amp channels that have 48V phantom power. I power it via a 2A mains USB phone adaptor.

All right, so you're suggesting to 1) get some new audio/interface (Focusrite for example or something like that), 2) to use keyboard just as a midi (connected to Focusrite via midi cable), but to 3) power it via 9V (or USB power) adaptor?

Yes, that's right. You could still take the analogue outputs of the keyboard to your powered monitors for the times that you wanted to use it independently of the PC and audio interface.

I see..so I'll have to unplug speakers from Focusrite and to plug them into the keyboards every time I want to hear it?

It's necessary to consider this carefully.

The audio interface built into the Prokeys Sono 61 keyboard mixes the analogue output from the internal key synthesiser with the output from the D-A converters that carried digital information from the computer. In this way, with powered moitors plugged into the keyboard's analogue outputs, you could hear the real-time synthesised key outputs and the replay from the computer without re-patching any cables.

A similar thing would be possible using any audio interface that has direct monitoring of incoming signals, but you would have to (a) have the interface powered and possibly talking to a software driver in the computer, and (b) bring the analogue outputs into the interface via a pair of cables. This implies the need for an interface that has 4 analogue inputs (minimum 2 microphone/DI and 2 line inputs).

You could get away with a 2-input audio interface together with a simple external stereo passive mixer box to mix the keyboard's analogue outputs with the interface's analogue outputs. With the right cabling, something very low cost like the Rolls MX41B could be made to work, even though it's unbalanced.

Ok, let me underline the part I am not sure I understand, just in order to be suer what to buy
have the interface powered and possibly talking to a software driver in the computer, and (b) bring the analogue outputs into the interface via a pair of cables.

- when you say powered, did you mean that I should consider buying an audio interface that has it's own power supply (not just via USB) ?
- Current software drivers in my PC are Asio, and (I suppose) M-Audio. Some new audio-interface comes with it's own drivers (I supppose), so did you mean that new interface should be compatible with Asio or M-Audio or..?
- finaly, here is the back side od my audio interface, so I'm not sure where the analog inputs are? (for connecting it with new interface). (maybe where it says Output R-L/Mono?)
Thank you for your patience with my begginer's questions and for the effort to explain those things to me :)

here..maybe this one would be more appropriate than Focusrite which I took just for an example

https://www.thomann.de/intl/rs/presonus_studio_68.htm

Srdjan, post: 453087, member: 50842 wrote: Ok, let me underline the part I am not sure I understand, just in order to be suer what to buy
have the interface powered and possibly talking to a software driver in the computer, and (b) bring the analogue outputs into the interface via a pair of cables.

- when you say powered, did you mean that I should consider buying an audio interface that has it's own power supply (not just via USB) ?
- Current software drivers in my PC are Asio, and (I suppose) M-Audio. Some new audio-interface comes with it's own drivers (I supppose), so did you mean that new interface should be compatible with Asio or M-Audio or..?
- finaly, here is the back side od my audio interface, so I'm not sure where the analog inputs are? (for connecting it with new interface). (maybe where it says Output R-L/Mono?)
Thank you for your patience with my begginer's questions and for the effort to explain those things to me :)

- An interface with it's own power is recommanded because it has the most chances of giving better phantom power to condenser mics (if you ever buy one)
-What ever the interface, they will have their own asio drivers that you should use (available on their website).
-You are not to plug your interface into any inputs of the keyboard. You should have external monitors or headphones to hear the playback of the computer (via the new interace).
The idea of having a new interface is to get rid of the low quality your current one has..
As recommended you should choose an interface with a midi input and get a midi cable to plug between the midi out of the keyb and the midi in of the interface.
If you do want to record the internal sounds of the keyb, you would use the outputs of the keyb and plug them to the input of the interface (not the other way around)
The Scarlett 2i4 is a good starter choice unless you need more inputs.
If get a friend to record with you or if you want to record your keyb (internal sounds) and some vocal(s) at the same time, you will need more inputs.

Thank you pcrecord, that's what I also understood from Boswell's help

but there is again one thing you've mentioned

"If you do want to record the internal sounds of the keyb, you would use the outputs of the keyb and plug them to the input of the interface (not the other way around) "

So here I'm not sure where are those keyboard's outputs, which cable to use and where exactly should it be connected to the audio interface?

Below the word Output on your keyboard !
you need 2 x 1/4 TR cables (like guitar cables)
you connect them to the line input of your interface (some have combo jack xlr and 1/4)
This will be explained in details in the owner manual.

If it's essential to you that you can switch on just the keyboard and the monitors and hear what you are performing, then the best solution is to get something like a passive mixer box, so that you need not worry whether the PC and interface are powered. If you set it up that way, it means you can go for a simple (e.g. 2-in 2-out) audio interface for the PC, and forget about the complications about whether the interface will pass analogue input through to analogue output without being first set up by a driver. Note that this would behave in a similar manner to the keyboard's internal USB interface and output mixer, but with much higher quality for the signals sent through the interface.

If that seems to meet your requirements, we (or you) can rummage around the web looking for suitable passive mixers and appropriate cables, bearing in mind that the outputs from the keyboard are unbalanced, whereas those from the interface will be balanced. You don't give the make and model of your monitors, but it's likely that, if they are professional quality, they will be able to accept balanced or unbalanced inputs.

Ok, so I got it - if somewhere at my keyboards says "Output", than it's an output :)
No joke, I was somehow thinking that those "holes" are meant for speakers only, so I was constantly looking for some other kind of output. Now that is clear, this passive mixer thing seems to me like more elegant idea, than to look at bunch of cables interlaced mingled etc..

Just to mention, I didn't buy anything yet, but I want to. The sooner the better :) Since I'm almost begginer in those things I'd like to have some simple (maybe upgradable) solution, not to expensive but not some cheap toys either. Also, it would be perfect to have it all set up in a way that I don't have to do work with cables, disconecting them and conecting them every time I want to do semething.

This is my setup as it is right now

(so everything is ready. If I want to play piano, here it is. If I want to play the guitar, i have some long cable plugged in behind in "Instrument in" input so I basicaly just grab a guitar and engage Reaper or some vst amp simulations. There is always ready microphone too) So you understand, I'm kind of used to plug and play situations . All this new things are little bit scarry (as it is everything that is unfamilliar, but I hope that with some upgrade I can achieve better sound, less noise and maybe manage to keep it simple as it is now :)

I do read lots of reviews on audio-intefeaces, speakers, microphones, preamps and so on.
Anyway, a couple of decent small room speakers, conndeser mic (with dedicated preamp, or integrated in audio-interface, not sure yet..) maybe that passive mixer, some good cables and that'll be about it.

Srdjan, post: 453099, member: 50842 wrote: Anyway, a couple of decent small room speakers, conndeser mic (with dedicated preamp, or integrated in audio-interface, not sure yet..) maybe that passive mixer, some good cables and that'll be about it.

Look for studio monitors, they are ment to have a flatter frequency response which helps get better mixes.
Now a condenser mic is what all beginners rave about but in an untreated room, it's rarely the best choice.
Condersers are more sensitive and will capture the noises in the room (computer fan and others) and will also capture the reflections on the walls.
So unless the room has some kind of acoustic treatment, the best choice is a dynamic mic.
Check the Shure SM58 or the Rode M1.

pcrecord, post: 453101, member: 46460 wrote: Look for studio monitors, they are ment to have a flatter frequency response which helps get better mixes.
Now a condenser mic is what all beginners rave about but in an untreated room, it's rarely the best choice.
Condersers are more sensitive and will capture the noises in the room (computer fan and others) and will also capture the reflections on the walls.
So unless the room has some kind of acoustic treatment, the best choice is a dynamic mic.
Check the Shure SM58 or the Rode M1.

That one you see at the picture is Shure Sm58, and it's fine, but I never had a condenser one and would like to give it a try. Especialy for recording voice at quiet volume.
Probably, with better audio-interface, this Shure will work better too..I hope

As for passive mixer box, is this it?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000KGYAYQ/?tag=r06fa-20

Srdjan, post: 453103, member: 50842 wrote: As for passive mixer box, is this it?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000KGYAYQ/?tag=r06fa-20

Yes but this one is mono and your keyb is stereo...

Ah ok, I'm close then :)
I'was trying first to figure out what exactly is passive mixer box. It seems that it's named differently so there is no much info on Google..

A passive mixer is one that has no active components (amplifiers etc) and so needs no external power supply. It's only useful for mixing line-level sugnals.

The stereo mixer I linked earlier would work from an electrical point of view, but the cabling would be a little tricky.

Thanks Boswell, but can you put some link as an example so I can see it, cause everything I'm looking under "passive mixer" has power supply option..
Like this for example

https://www.astounded.com/shop/alto-zephyr-zmx52-5-channel-compact-passive-mixer/

maybe it's something like this you suggested..?

https://www.thomann.de/gb/rolls_mx_42.htm

The one I linked in post #16 in this thread is the Rolls MX41b. It's similar to the MX42 that you referenced, but has 1/4" paralleled with 1/8" stereo jacks for all its I/O instead of phono (RCA) sockets. As I mentioned previously, it's unbalanced, so you would have to be careful how you connected the balanced outputs of the audio interface, but for the keyboard input and (presumably) the monitor outputs, standard 1/4" jack insert leads (1 x TRS to 2 x TS) would be OK. You still haven't mentioned the monitor you have or intend to have and its input arrangements.

There may well be other mixers that meet the spec more exactly, but it would take a little more detailed search to unearth those.

Boswell, post: 453112, member: 29034 wrote: The one I linked in post #16 in this thread is the Rolls MX41b. It's similar to the MX42 that you referenced, but has 1/4" paralleled with 1/8" stereo jacks for all its I/O instead of phono (RCA) sockets. As I mentioned previously, it's unbalanced, so you would have to be careful how you connected the balanced outputs of the audio interface, but for the keyboard input and (presumably) the monitor outputs, standard 1/4" jack insert leads (1 x TRS to 2 x TS) would be OK. You still haven't mentioned the monitor you have or intend to have and its input arrangements.

There may well be other mixers that meet the spec more exactly, but it would take a little more detailed search to unearth those.

Sure, I saw that pdf-link about the Rolls MX41b, but somehow later I've distracted it from my mind, now I see what you mean.
As for the speakers, I'm still in confusion whether to buy studio-monitors, or some HiFi bookshelfves for PC. What I do know is that they are going to be active speakers.
I don't know much about mixing and stuff, but I'd like to have decent sound of whenever I play trough PC (acoustic, electric, bass guitar, or piano and microphone/voice too..)
Of course, speakers are the whole another field of discussion, and it'll be fine if there are some "both of worlds"speakers (for making music, and for listening) but right now I'm more keen on studio-monitors, because I've never had one. My favorites are JBL LSR 305, FOCAL Alpha 50 and maybe Presonus Eris E5.

It's important to note Marco's (pcrecord ) mentioning dynamic vs condenser mics.
If you're in a room that is untreated ( no acoustic treatment), the dynamic mic (SM58) might be your best bet, as it will be far less sensitive to picking up the sound of the room, computer fan noise, etc.
The other thing to mention, is that just because a mic is a condenser type, doesn't automatically mean that it's a good mic. There are more than a few cheap condenser mics on the market that don't sound very good - harsh upper mids, brittle top end, and ill-defined lows. Also, Mic manufacturers have become pretty adept at making their condensers look very similar to classic, beautiful sounding condenser mics; things like the shape, color, grill, and other physical attributes... but just because a cheap mic has a similar appearance to an expensive one, doesn't mean it will sound like the classic mics they are trying to aesthetically clone.
I'm not suggesting that you not buy a condenser, they are nice to have... I'm saying that just because a mic that you find is a condenser, doesn't automatically make it a good sounding mic. Just be cautious, and check here with us before you spend any money on a condenser mic. ;)

DonnyThompson, post: 453114, member: 46114 wrote: It's important to note Marco's (pcrecord ) mentioning dynamic vs condenser mics.
If you're in a room that is untreated ( no acoustic treatment), the dynamic mic (SM58) might be your best bet, as it will be far less sensitive to picking up the sound of the room, computer fan noise, etc.
The other thing to mention, is that just because a mic is a condenser type, doesn't automatically mean that it's a good mic. There are more than a few cheap condenser mics on the market that don't sound very good - harsh upper mids, brittle top end, and ill-defined lows. Also, Mic manufacturers have become pretty adept at making their condensers look very similar to classic, beautiful sounding condenser mics; things like the shape, color, grill, and other physical attributes... but just because a cheap mic has a similar appearance to an expensive one, doesn't mean it will sound like the classic mics they are trying to aesthetically clone.
I'm not suggesting that you not buy a condenser, they are nice to have... I'm saying that just because a mic that you find is a condenser, doesn't automatically make it a good sounding mic. Just be cautious, and check here with us before you spend any money on a condenser mic. ;)

Thank you Donny, you are all great here, and I have impression that I don't have to look for answers anywhere else. So much detailed and thoughtful advices :)

You're right about condensers, and I'm aware of all those marketing traps.

Now I'am using SM58 as I've mentioned, but the idea for some condenser microphone came to me because the lack of gain. I've found out that if I want to achieve some nice "Sintara like" voice ;) I have to turn on the gain knob pretty much and to engage a bunch of vst's (compressor, reverb, noise gate, maybe some delay etc..).

My room is not acustically treated, so I have to sing pretty quiet (neighbours)
So I thought that if I get some omnidirectional condenser microphone and the preamp with good gain, I won't have to strain myself in order to get volume I want. As I understand, condenser microphones are more sensitive, they pick up everything etc..

Also, I saw some guitarists having great sound combining one condenser with one dynamic, so I thought to give it a try too..
Some option was Rode NT1, The t.bone SC 1100, SE Electronics X1S maybe Audio-Technica AT2020..not sure yet.

As for microphone preamps, I saw that Golden Age Project Pre-73 DLX

I would avoid the cheaper hi-fi speakers, as they tend to have a scooped frequency response: a boomy low end and a tizzy top end. In addition, I don't know of any powered hi-fi bookshelf speakers in the lower price bracket, but that doesn't mean that there aren't any.

Bear in mind also that a passive mixer will cause a reduction in signal level (typically 12dB). Tbis would be fine with the output from a professional audio interface, but may be a problem with the domestic level output from the keyboard.

Boswell, post: 453116, member: 29034 wrote: I would avoid the cheaper hi-fi speakers, as they tend to have a scooped frequency response: a boomy low end and a tizzy top end. In addition, I don't know of any powered hi-fi bookshelf speakers in the lower price bracket, but that doesn't mean that there aren't any.

Bear in mind also that a passive mixer will cause a reduction in signal level (typically 12dB). Tbis would be fine with the output from a professional audio interface, but may be a problem with the domestic level output from the keyboard.

As for hi-fi speakers, I've thought something like this. People are confused whether they are monitors, or hi-hi speakers, near field or something else..so I thought they must be something in between :)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011ABT8ZK/?tag=r06fa-20

Don't know about proffesional audio interface..
I saw a guy who's selling Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 for the price of 300 euros, and it's ok price for me, but when I saw how many connections and holes it has I was affraid I don't need that much :)
Or maybe even that isn't a proffesional gear..I wouldn' know..

I was referring to equipment that uses the professional standard for audio signal levels (nominally +4dBu balanced) rather than implying any quality or price bracket.

I would advise you against getting an audio interface that is functionally way over the top of your requirements, as they can throw up unexpected problems, such as finding out your computer does not have a Firewire port. Something like the USB-interfaced Focusrite Scarlett that was mentioned earlier is the sort of product to aim for.

When I mentioned acoustic treatment I wasn't referring to isolation treatment - which is to sound-proof the room so that others - like your neighbors - won't hear you as much... I was referring to the way your room "sounds"; in terms of reflection, upper frequency ringing, glitter echo, etc.
if your room is un-treated, a condenser mic - especially an Omni model, is going to pick up all kinds of room reflections, including extraneous noises such as computer fans, etc. far more than your 58 dynamic will.
I think you should hold off on the condenser mic until you get the new preamp; as it likely has a lot more gain than your current workflow does, and that you won't need to gain up the 58 to nearly as high levels as you are doing now.
My hunch is that you'll be pleasantly surprised at how good your 58 will sound through a dedicated external pre such as the Focusrite or Presonus.
IMHO of course.

Boswell, post: 453118, member: 29034 wrote: I was referring to equipment that uses the professional standard for audio signal levels (nominally +4dBu balanced) rather than implying any quality or price bracket.

I would advise you against getting an audio interface that is functionally way over the top of your requirements, as they can throw up unexpected problems, such as finding out your computer does not have a Firewire port. Something like the USB-interfaced Focusrite Scarlett that was mentioned earlier is the sort of product to aim for.

Ok Boswell, so to sum up briefly: I need some USB interface that has direct monitoring of incoming signals and 4 analogue inputs ; a passive mixer and 1 x TRS to 2 x TS cable - for a start (just to see at first if it's going to work out) ?

DonnyThompson, post: 453119, member: 46114 wrote: When I mentioned acoustic treatment I wasn't referring to isolation treatment - which is to sound-proof the room so that others - like your neighbors - won't hear you as much... I was referring to the way your room "sounds"; in terms of reflection, upper frequency ringing, glitter echo, etc.
if your room is un-treated, a condenser mic - especially an Omni model, is going to pick up all kinds of room reflections, including extraneous noises such as computer fans, etc. far more than your 58 dynamic will.
I think you should hold off on the condenser mic until you get the new preamp; as it likely has a lot more gain than your current workflow does, and that you won't need to gain up the 58 to nearly as high levels as you are doing now.
My hunch is that you'll be pleasantly surprised at how good your 58 will sound through a dedicated external pre such as the Focusrite or Presonus.
IMHO of course.

I understand that Donny, the thing is that I'm planning to renovate my room in near future, and have to do both: sound-proof isolation for the others, and acoustic treatment for sounds reflections (some acoustic panels, speakers positioning etc) so it should be nice quiet home-studio.