hey andy... I think your sound card is probably fine... I might recomend some kind of amp simulation ... like my Vamp2 by Behringer, that is designed for running straignt into your computer... or into a mixer and then into your computer in my case...
As for monitors... I love my Behringer TRUTH monitors... googel it... the price is good and the quality is awesome!
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80s metal blessings,
pb
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