What exactly is necessary to use MIDI with the MPC1000?

The JJOS manual specifies that I need 3 MIDI cables, a MIDI controller and a MIDI interface. I have one MIDI cable and the MPC1000 and the way I hook it up, the keyboard can play the samples I have loaded into the MPC.

What I'm trying to do is play Reason instruments and VSTs using the keyboard and sample them into the MPC.

This talk of a MIDI interface is confusing me - I was under the impression that with the inputs and outputs the MP has, that the MPC1000 was, in itself, a MIDI interface.

I was really wondering if anything other than what I already have is necessary for me to do what I'm trying to do. Dropping money on a cable or two isn't a problem but anything else will be.

Thanks in advance.

reason is in your computer your mpc is not...
so you need to get the midi signals from your controller into the computer (do your computer have a midi jack? if not this why you need a midi interface).
to sample the sounds from reason into you mpc you need audio cables from you computer to the mpc record in (does your computer have a soundcard? do you have the proper cables - line out mini jack to dual mono line in quarter jack?)
if you have nothing of the above - get a decent audio/midi interface - usb or better firewire - then you have all the connections from and to your computer in one unit.

go and look up some basic stuff about "studio" setups on http://www.tweakheadz.com
also this site can be helpful with basic stuff http://stereoroid.com/music/mpc1000/mpc1000-midi-tutorial/

peace jo

Appreciate the response, good lookin out.

I was just wondering though, what are the reasons behind the differences in price between certain interfaces? What are the differences between USB and firewire interfaces?

If money is an issue, is it still possible for me to get a quality interface? Is there anything in particular that you can recommend?

There's a difference between midi and audio w/ midi interfaces. Familiarize yourself with the suggested link flip posted and that should help steer you in the direction you wanna go.

Def check out the guide that was posted

as far as a recommendation I would go with firewire (proven to be more stable in transferring data) and as far as a decent interface at an affordable price - presonus firebox.