> When I started out I assumed I just needed a cable with USB A on one end and MIDI on the other end ... hah!

And now we just need a cable with USB on one end and USB on the other end ;)

Even pre-amped mics have a USB port.

There are also instruments that go digital -- Line6 Variax guitars/basses have an RJ45 socket beside the century-old audio jack -- you plug it into the stomp box with an ethernet cable, and then USB to computer, and you can start recording without worrying about the impedance mismatch.

And actually I think RJ45 makes more sense than USB in this scenario because the jack is locked in the port so you don't worry about accidental disconnection that would damage the PAs..