Astronomer

Hi guys. So I'm just about to purchase a keytar with MIDI plug-in to use in my band. I play piano/guitar/bass blah blah but basically I am completely new to electronic music production and MIDI scares the **** out of me because I don't understand it!

Basically, I understand that the keytar is a MIDI controller so it doesn't actually make any sound on its own. I need to connect it to some kind of sound module to actually get sound to come out. So what do I connect it to? A laptop/ computer? Do I need to purchase a synthesiser to connect it to? Or can I just download software onto my computer? Or is there some other gadget I can use? Help!

Also, once I've got the setup and got the keytar connected to some sort of sound module, what would a live set-up be like? How would you connect a keytar and MIDI sound module to a PA system? Would you just connect the keytar to the computer/sound system/synth and then run a specialised cable from the computer/sound system/synth to the PA system?

Please help, and please try to explain your answer as simply as possible as I am a totally noob to all this electronic music production stuff!

Cheers.

__________________