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Just to echo /u/Heikkiket, you can't really edit loops in Sooperlooper, and the stompbox analogy is pretty appropriate - you've just got some extra frills - unlimited tracks, independent control of each, etc. Also the ability to load audio files (wav/mp3/etc) into a loop - this might actually be a route that could work for you: create the track in Ardour, then load it into Sooperlooper, which will play it endlessly.

But yeah, in terms of your workflow - switching between programs, and with no external devices (like a midi controller: 1, 2*), you're gonna have a bad time. I'd recommend a foot controller to control Sooperlooper (see below), at the very least.

*I actually use this one, the Midibuddy MP128. It can be plugged into either a cheap USB/MIDI interface, or a guitar+midi interface like the Scarlett 2i4.

IF that is a microphone that outputs a level that's intended to be plugged directly into a computer's "mic in" port... then you'd at least need an XLR to TRRRS adapter for it in order to use it with your laptop. I doubt this is the case.

Is the connection on the microphone itself an XLR (3 male pins -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XLR_connector)? My guess is that it's a real microphone that outputs a very low level that needs to be amplified in order to be used like that. In that case, you'll need some kind of mixer or sound card that accepts an XLR input and takes care of the amplification. At the very least, you'll need a device like you mentioned that adapts from USB to XLR and is actually a sound card/amplifier (like this: http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Icicle-Converter-Preamp/dp/B001EW5YQS).

This is certainly not a Linux issue. It wouldn't work in Windows or OS X either.

That is very true. When I think of audiophiles, I think of people who think cables sound better one way around than the other, people that ignore scientific tests and argue that null tests can't trump human ears (which is essentially saying that 1 minus 1 does not give you 0). Other people think that audiophiles are people that really care about audio, and in the mix people get very confused about what is true and what is not.

There is a LOT of misinformation going around about audio on the internet, specifically digital audio. A lot of it is to sell equipment/software that is 'superior', a lot of it is people believing and repeating what they're heard from companies trying to sell a product. A lot of companies willingly promote these ideas, a lot of them don't fight back against them cause it might damage their marketing.

If you really want to understand audio and cut through the BS, check out a book called The Audio Expert: Everything You Need to Know About Audio by Ethan Winer. He debunks a lot of hard held beliefs from certain 'audiophiles' with scientific tests. Well worth the read if you want to understand what matters in audio, and what doesn't.

If you give us the actual make and model of sound card you already have, we might be able to determine whether it would be supported or not. You might not need to buy anything.

Beyond that, I echo what /u/wolftune said.

Especially the Focusrite recommendation. If you want a relatively inexpensive interface that sounds good and works flawlessly under Linux, I can't speak highly enough of the Scarlett line. You can find the Solo used on ebay for $50-60.

Yeah my mic has an XLR output.

http://www.amazon.com/AGPtek-Female-Microphone-Adapter-Connector/dp/B00B6WZGHS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419045567&sr=8-1&keywords=xlr+to+usb

Can I get away with that instead? Might be too late at this point but trying to save money...

Probably the easiest way to connect your Mic to the audio interface is with a cheap analog mixer with xlr input (for example the Behringer Xenyx 502). This will give you *way* more control over the sound from your mic, be it the input gain, the panning or the equalizer. If the signal that reaches your audio interface is shitty, no amount of tricks/filters will improve the sound.

The Arturia device has a 1/4" stereo output. The 6i6 has four 1/4" mono inputs. I guess you'll want something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Tisino-Stereo-Y-Splitter-Return-Insert/dp/B07K59LPDJ

What motherboard do you have? Should be a few 9pin USB headers available. If you do, something like this will provide the extra ports.

I would be shocked if the Alesis V25 knobs and pads didn't work on Linux. I'm sure they're just MIDI controllers. All MIDI controllers work on Linux generally. Where did you hear otherwise?

There's tons of options that work, basically any USB MIDI controller works. I have a Korg Microkey and it works fine, comes in 25, 37, 49, and 61 key versions. I also have a pressure-sensitive controller from Keith MacMillen. That works. I've never found a USB MIDI controller that didn't work on Linux.

I use this Inateck on my HTPC. It was plug&play with Mint 17.