Thank you stormstudios and codamedia, very helpful replies.
 
	 
 
	Hardware-wise, I decided that I'll go with a digital piano or synth since I would much prefer a "real" instrument since I'd like to learn piano playing basics as well.
 
	So in a nutshell, I'll use it with VSTs in DAW as well as playing it for practice as an independent instrument.
 
	 
 
	But, regarding the connection - most of the synths and pianos within my budget seems to have USB only. Does this mean that I can still output it via POD?
 
	 
 
	Does that mean that it would show up as an Input option here:
 
	http://take.ms/vOqdM
 
	....and then I set the Output to go via POD 500?
 
	 
 
	Connection Questions
 
	 
 
	Sorry if I'm being dense, I just want to make sure I'll have the correct setup.
 
	Currently I have ASIO POD500 drivers.
 
	 
 
	Everything is connected to POD - my mic, guitar, desktop speakers.
 
	With this setup I can play/record guitar while the rest of the song's arrangement is played via DAW and my speakers. Can I do this if I connect synth or piano via USB?
 
	 
 
	I'm asking that since I couldn't do that with my USB microphone - there was no input option for it (only ASIO POD) so I had to record in other software then import it into DAW.
 
	For that reason I had to buy phantom power adapter and plug the mic directly into POD so everything is run through ASIO drivers.
 
	 
 
 
	 
 
	I see, thank you - I saw that one of the digital pianos which I saw has Aux OUT so I guess that might work in my favor for this setup.
 
	 
 
	Thanks so much for your help!