Sure Ibanez, I will answer your last question(s)!!
Yes, you plug in stuff to the breakout box, or
mixer, and go from there. If it is a mic, you
might need a pre-amp or phantom power for
condenser mics. What mixer do you have, or what
are you planning to buy?
Run like crazy from that Lexicon Card. A lot of folks
have big problems with that one.
Outputs on a breakout box/soundcard can be confusing.
In theory, you only need two, for stereo sound.
In reality, I like mixers, and its fun to move faders
instead of a mouse.
If you use Cakewalk Pro9, you must assign each
part to an output. (My Darla 24 has eight outputs
too). If you record 16 tracks, you could assign
tracks 1 and 2 two output one, etc. It is
flexible; you could assign 12 tracks to the same output
and have 6 having their own outputs,etc.
Outputs have nothing to do with how many tracks
can be recorded or heard. You could have 2 outputs
and hear 100 tracks.
Your computer speakers should be just fine.
One warning: Soundcards like the delta, lexicon,
darla, etc. are advertised as plug and play.
Nosiree Bob, it is Plug and Pray. Lots O problems
are possible, like bad drivers, Irq conflicts,
compatibility with existing cards, etc.
Be patient with it, it will all work out in time,
and then once you hit that play button, the
glory of you playing all those parts and
making music will justify the hours you spent
installing sound cards. Good Luck, David