Ok. I believe that M-Audio indeed recommends to install the driver before you physically install the soundcard. It speaks for itself that, before the soundcard is in your computer, you cannot use its ASIO driver.
Once you have installed your soundcard, try to hook up the keyboard via the MIDI input of the soundcard to see what happens. I think this is the best way. Because the keyboard is USB-powered, you would still have to keep the USB-cable plugged in also, or use an external power supply. My guess is that you can choose that you want to use the MIDI input in the preferences of your application, when you have it plugged in both ways.
Once you have installed your soundcard, try to hook up the keyboard via the MIDI input of the soundcard to see what happens. I think this is the best way. Because the keyboard is USB-powered, you would still have to keep the USB-cable plugged in also, or use an external power supply. My guess is that you can choose that you want to use the MIDI input in the preferences of your application, when you have it plugged in both ways.
