M-Audio Firewire 410 for use with G4-0S10

[nothingtoday]

I will start by saying, I am completely new too recording. I make music with a sampler, drum machine and synth. and source from t.v., gameboy etc.. I record analog though the single phono inputs on my hifi

so what I want to be doing, is recording straight onto my laptop, ....I gather you can record straight into garage band, then export it straight onto itunes...so for instance I could record A live performance...and then burn CD's to give out afterwards.

I have a few questions though,

why do most of the interfaces have so few inputs and so many outputs? excuse my ignorance but what are the outputs for? Arnt imputs the most important????
has the machine only got 2 inputs? Excluding midi

im not really into using software, I like to mix and record analog improvise...so I want to be able to plug all my equipment into this thing so when ever i want to record something I can just press rec on garage band and get it straight on itunes.

so, am I looking at the right piece of equipment here? I dont really want to pay any higher...so is there anything better suited...or will this do the job

thanks to anyone who has the time to reply

iain.

 

[nothingtoday]

i just saw this would be better off in the computer recording forum, if anyone want to move it...be my guest