Using A Midi Controller, clueless Options

[Ctodd]

A few general questions...

I have no Idea how midi controllers work...

I've read that some controllers (keyboards) have a midi out/in and some use USB.
Is there a fundamental difference between these two?
If it doesnt have USB, will I be able to use it with my computer? I don't have any midi ports on my computer... that I know of...

Once I do get it hooked up (physically) to my computer, how do I start "using" it?
I've worked with MIDI stuff a bit, but only dragging and "dropping" the notes in Reaper, never with a controller.

I'm trying to use this program that I got, its a free and downloadable program that lets you use your regular computer keyboard as a midi controller.

I've messed around with it a little bit but couldn't get it to make any sounds, or be recognized by Reaper.

I see some Midi device settings in Reaper, and I've messed around with them, but cant figure it out.

can anyway help?

thanks!

-chris

EDIT: in messing around with reaper, I'm seeing a lot of options for setting MIDI IN and MIDI OUT. I dont know what these mean, but I'm saying it here just so you have an appropriate understanding of how little I understand this...

why oh why can't it just be as simple as plug n' play

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This post has been edited by Ctodd: Jul 15 2009, 01:09 AM