M-Audio KeyStudio 49i for newbie

[pappy]

Im an old guy & a newb. I want to expand my guitar/vocal ideas for rock, acoustic & elec blues, and need an interface and keyboard. It seems that the M-Audio 49i may do what I need for now. I believe that I can plug my guitar into the keyboard and USB from the keyboard into the Mac, but I am not familiar yet with the keyboards/interfaces available. I want to get up and running for $300. I have been reading various threads for months and you guys are very helpful and knowledgeable. I have a new iMac, mics for guitars and voice, Morley JD10 (great box), Fostex XR-7 cassette, old Kenwood amp for monitors, and cables.
Is the 49i a good place to start?
Would it be worth the investment to look at FireWire instead of USB?
Recommend Apple Logic software?
Thanks for your patience and help.

 

[Gidge]

i see a mic input and a line input so you may want a DI box between the guitar and the keystudio...

 

[pappy]

Gidge thanks for the advice. Would the M-audio serve as a good interface between the guitar and the mac? It has 2, 1/4" inputs and a MIDI output, USB.