Let's first take a look at what you need to get your MIDI (Recording) system setup:

Hardware:

• Computer - either PC or laptop.
• MIDI keyboard or USB keyboard with or without sounds.
• Soundcard either fitted inside your computer or external soundcard.
• USB or MIDI cable(s).

Software

• Install drivers for soundcard (better to download latest version from manufacturer). SEARCH TIP: Go to Google and search "Model number of card + drivers download". i.e. If your soundcard is called "SoundcardXYZ" then type "SoundcardXYZ drivers download" (without the quotes) into Google. There is a high probability that Google will give you the exact page you need for the latest drivers.
• Install latest drivers for keyboard (if needed) - more common for USB keyboards.
• Install MIDI Sequencing package - Cubase LE

• IMPORTANT MIDI CONNECTIONS - Always connect MIDI OUT from one device to MIDI IN on the other or vice-versa.
• If you have a computer a keyboard or any external sound modules then connect as shown below:
  
• If you have an additional module to add to the setup above then simply connect a MIDI OUT from the sound module to the additional module (MIDI IN).
• Having a large number of MIDI chain connections is not advisable and not really practical when it comes to controlling your MIDI channels from within the sequencing software - The system above only allows you 16 channels of sounds playing simultaneously. Of course, this depends on the equipment, but let's just assume that the keyboard and module are multi-timbral and can play 16 channels at the same time. Because of the setup above you are limited.

  MIDI Thru Box - A MIDI thru box is advisable on bigger systems to allow more than 16 channels be played back simultaneously - the MIDI output of each MIDI port on the Thru box is controlled from within the sequencing package. For example, let's say we are using Cubase. Track 1 is playing MIDI channel 1, Track 2 plays MIDI channel 2 etc. etc. The MIDI output of MIDI channel 1 is routed to the MIDI Thru Box - Port 1, The MIDI output of MIDI channel 2 is routed to the MIDI Port 2. So, for 4 MIDI ports connected to 4 different devices you can have 64 MIDI channels!

  

  

Connect

• Assuming you have installed your software and hardware correctly you are literally steps away from completing your MIDI setup!
• If you have a USB Keyboard then connect it to your USB port on your computer. Load up your MIDI sequencing software and see if you can see the MIDI input from your sequencing software. Cubase LE is great for this and will show if you connection has been establised by displaying a light trigger when ever you play your keyboard.
• If you have a MIDI keyboard then connect the MIDI cable from your MIDI Out on the keyboard to MIDI In on your soundcard. As above, if you have Cubase installed then it will display a connection if you depress a key on the keyboard.

• If you want to playback the sounds of your keyboard then you have to connect the MIDI Out from your soundcard to the MIDI In of your keyboard.
• So, when recording, you play out the notes from your keyboard into your computer (sequencer) then after you've finished recording the computer will playback MIDI recorded information back from the MIDI Out port of the computer to the MIDI In of your keyboard. It's quite simple!
• Multitrack MIDI recording - Simple! Same as above, keep recording and pre-recorded tracks will playback when you are recording additional tracks.

Overall advice: Take one task at a time! If you are unsure about a hardware or software installation check the manufacturers site for info. Read all of the installation instructions for hardware. Check the web for the latest patches and check sites like this for the latest information!

Also, see - Importing Audio CD to Cubase
Resizing the Cubase Arrangement Window

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