I am about to buy the audiophile 2496, and I know it doesn't have a built in synth.
I have been using soundblaster live (see my mother posts about clicks/pops on XP and my VIA chipset!). One thing about the SB is that one of the SoftSynths was very good.
The SB synth that I liked was only available in CakeWalk Home Studio if I am in MME driver mode. When I am in ASIO or WDM driver mode, that synth is not available. The SB live that becomes available using the WDM driver is a "soundfont" device and I hate the sounds on it.

Question #1: Am I correct that one of the SB synths (I think its the FM synth) is only available using the MME drivers? If not am I doing something wrong??

Question #2: In Home Studio XL, there are some DXi and VST plugins. I like the EDIROL VSC, but not all of the sounds (the Cello sound is bad) Here is what I need:

1) Midi external keyboard controlled.
2) very low latency, so that I can play by external keyboard in real time
3) Realistic, pre-programmed Sounds, especially: Grand Piano, flute, bass guitar, cello, accoustic bass.

I am not good at creating my own patches for an analog type synth like the dreamstation dxi, that also comes with home studio. I don't like the most of the samples with come it, or the Dyad Dxi.

Any Software Synths that fulfill these requirements?
Thanks!