mpc500 midi connection questions

I have an m-audio keystation plugged into my mpc's midi in. I have the midi out plugged into a m-audio 2496 soundcard in my g4 mac. I want to use my mac as a midi sound module. What program would i use on my mac to make sound? Once i get this, Do I sync the midi timing within the software?
If I connected my sound card out into my mpc input, would this allow me to record the sound (not the midi info) from my midi keyboard to my mpc, even though it is going threw the mpc first?
I eventually want to get a hardware module, but right now, I can't afford one.
Thanks.

Your keyboard should have USB connectivity. Hook the keyboard via USB to your computer. Then go midi out from the MPC to the keyboard's midi in and midi out from the keyboard to the MPC's midi in. You will then have to enter the Sync menu on the MPC and make the necessary settings. Also make sure that you set the correct midi channel for each track that you are recording to (ex: track 1 "piano", Midi channel 1. track 2 "violin", Midi channel 2, and so on). As for the sounds, Cakewalk has some ok factory sounds and so does Logic Pro 8.

And you can't record the sound of your keyboard into your MPC using the midi method. The note messages are saved on the pads and when you play your beat back, the notes play back as you played them with the pads. And this is ONLY when the MPC is midi'd to the keyboard. Basically, you will need to use a separate instrument track or two on your recording software. Your drums will record onto your 1st (stereo audio) track and your synths will record onto however many instrument tracks you feel that you will need.

Can i use a program like Garage Band?

Yes, indeed.

Now, if i wanted to record individual tracks to my computer, and wanted them synced to the midi clock, would it still work through the keystation's usb, or would i need to directly connect the midi out from the mpc to the midi in on the soundcard? (assuming the mpc as the master)

You want to record every part on a separate track. This would be the preferred method (if you have the time). I myself do not have the gear to do this at the moment. And this is something I have not yet attempted to do. I think you should be able to use the keyboard's MIDI in-out ports to sync your 500 as the master. You will probably have to mess with the preferences/settings on your recording software in order to set the CPU as slave and the MPC as master. Digital Performer makes it easy. On the transport toolbar, there is an icon that is called "wait". It will automatically tell the software to wait for an incoming MIDI signal before it starts recording. I have done this with DP and a Roland TD-7 electronic drum kit. But I also MIDI'd it directly into the audio interface (Firepod in this case). Try making use of the keyboard's MIDI ports first and see what happens....

thanks!

Can i use a program like Garage Band?

Sure you can!