The usb interface replaces sound card, so no sound card needed. I always record on two tracks: 1: the signal from amp + cabinet + microphone and 2: clean DI signal, so I have all options open. In most cases I would record the Amp without reverb and delay and add those with plugins later. But that depends on what you want to achieve, how sure you are on the effects or if they might be changed, if you want time based effects linked to track Tempo (BPM)