A Few Basic Questions (powerbook+live), gots' some questions. Options

[benskoch]

hi-
a couple questions. I am a fairly recent powerbook titanium g4 purchaser, and this has been serving as my studio for the past several months. However- I am starting to get frustrated with the audio quality and suspect this may have something to do with the fact that I am only using the 1/8 direct in input (to make matters worse using an old cassette 4-track as a mixer). I'm contemplating getting one of the inexpensive USB boxes to make things better-but- does the built-in sound card even support 24 bit sound? Do I/can I install a better card on the tibook?
2. I've been using 'live' software as my primary recording agent and have generally been pleased. but- does anyone know of a (preferably free) way to use vst synths through here?

any help would be greatly appreciated-email if possible:
benjaminskoch@yahoo.com

peace
B