A little more info needed
The computer mainly will be used for 2 purposes usually. I have a lot of pro gear and am very familiar with the setup and implementation of pro gear, especially that of computer card interfaces.
The Audigy 2 is a sound card manufactured by Creative Labs that has two main purposes.
1) It is a general purpose Midi (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) Instrument that plays via external input (via keyboard or other controller) or internally via a sequencer that plays the actual notes like a player piano. If you are not a keyboardist or understand much about the midi format, it might be overwhelming for a novice, especially if you are just starting out. If you have ever used an external sequencer say via a keyboard or operated a multi-channel recorder it will be much easier for the transition.
2) The Audigy 2 also has an audio in/out just like a digital recorder that will play back all that is input (record your songs to play them back later to accompany). This can also play back MP3's and any other audio output you give it to play just like any other audio output on a computer. It can also operate much like a physical multitrack recorder with the proper programs.
A wealth of sound manipulation can be done with this audio, time stretched, morphed, effects added, edited, etc.
The benefit of the Audigy is that it is a very good card for both, extremely clean sound, flat frequency response and multiple outputs for separate outs to a mixing console to add effects, plus it has an excellent midi music section. It can reproduce a wealth of sounds that are right out of the box, thousands upon thousands available over the years as well as a huge library available from SoundBlaster, akai, etc with specific soundbanks. In order to access this you must have a good midi program.
The best program I have used that many session musicians and those who have used hard based (non computer) based sequencers who understand hardwiring better is a program called Reason from propellerhead software. It is a sequence based program with included modules that just add on like real gear like samplers, synthesizers, drum machines, effects boxes etc. This is only limited by your existing memory and your cpu speed.
There are also many programs out there from Cakewalk, Steinberg, Protools, and many others.
It all depends what you intend to do with it. If you are only going to record audio and play it back you can use lesser cards if the midi portion of the card is not required or will be used. If you concern is multiple channel recording like a multichannel tape recorder, there are other pro cards that can be used.
