adding a computer

alright ive had my mpc for like 2 months..and im thinking about adding computer. im not really sure what i need though...all i know is that my friend gave me a keyboard with midi sounds and i think it needs a computer. and i also would like to straight record to the comp. What software would i need to do this, and would it work with a cheap computer?, if i wasnt running anyother programs on it.

Most recent software needs a decent computer with lots of memory. You can get away using more basic software if you just want to record a few tracks, but you'll soon want a faster one.
Either way you need a good quality soundcard to record, the ones build into a standard pc won't cut it.
If you want to get into computer recording for real i suggest you get a soundcard with low latency Asio drivers and a midi input and add a program like Cubase, Logic, Pro-tools.
Going for the latest Pentium IV pc with a $300 soundcard might not sound economical at first, but the possibilities are pretty much unlimited. You can build yourself a pretty decent studio inside your pc for very little money. Going this route will save you from buying tons of expensive outboard-gear later.
If you add a dsl connection, and refuse to pay for software like some of us you can produce profesional sounding tracks for just the cost of a pc.

Pentium 4 2.4 Ghz Win XP, 80 Gigs, 512DDR Ram, with CDRW
onboard AGP Video, onboard Audio (just disable and take iesm advice on a low latency sound card) 56k modem (won't be getting any use hopefully) onboard 10/100 Lan (dsl)

$639 tigerdirect.com $479 with only 256 Ram, 40 Gig drive

As a longtime Mac user, I suggest a Mac G4 and Pro Tools... probably the MBox. Awesome tools. But you can go either way.

Good luck to you.

homershines

I got the same as Cashstill except I got AMD 3200.