The M-Audio would solve your problem of not having to plug into the mic input becasue it gives you USB capability. The preamp is not usb so you would have to plug it into your mic input unless you bought the M-Audio then you would just plug into it for straight usb recording to your pc. Preamp looks nice though. might have to check one of those out. Do you have a link for the M-Audio so I can check it out?