Snow questions for prospective buyer

[kittonian]

Sounds to me like if you're looking for multiple zones, various patches, and total integration with your DAW, you should be looking at the TI2 Keyboard not the Snow. The Snow is more of an entry level, albeit the same sounds. The TI2 Keyboard will allow you to do everything you are looking for.

If you don't need the keys and can use an external controller instead, get the TI2 Desktop and interface via MIDI and the analog i/o on the rear. If you can split up the external keyboard into different zones (something like the M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 can do this) you can output different MIDI channels from the TI2 Desktop over a single MIDI cable to the controller keyboard.

Honestly, your best bet is to get the TI2 Keyboard and be done with it. This way everything is integrated into a single piece of gear and you can just use the analog i/o into your A/D and thus into your DAW. When you go to take it to a live show you can restore whichever patches you wish into the keyboard and be all up and running in moments.

Hope that helps!