So, I own an MT32, an MT200 (GM\GS with floppy drive for mixing), and an SC7. I've been interested in, at some point, learning how to compose music using these devices for a 100% authentic "old school" sound. Its just a curiosity to me at this point, so I've just been looking at old second hand keyboards at Goodwill, yardsales, etc.

The GM\GS compatible devices seem fairly simple... all I'd need to get would be a good quality keyboard that supports those standards. But how do you utilize an MT32? I know that it can do a lot of interesting things that aren't perfectly replicated by the later GM\GS devices, so how do I actually take advantage of what it does?

I assume it is a matter of having a combination of a keyboard that will let me use the more limited instrument set of the MT32 and then some kind of software that can allow me to use any effects that would be MT32 specific... but I have no idea where to start with this.

If anyone has any suggestions on where to start I'd appreciate it. My goal is to be able to play a real keyboard (not using a mouse or PC keyboard), hear the sound in real time using my MT32 or MT200 (hooked up to an amp), while passing the midi information to my PC to record the tracks on my computer (I have a Roland UM One USB midi interface). Then, when I play with them later on the computer, I should be able to hear them on the proper device just as they are supposed to sound. In the end, I'd probably be mixing recorded MT32 and GM\GS tracks on the computer to have the final tracks in a lossless format with the authentic sound from both devices in one track.

This will mostly be for learning, but maybe at some point I'll actually get proficient. Ease of use would take precedent over professional quality at this point.