midi sequencer help

[len]

I've wanted to play around with midi input for lighting control, and I think I might have the time in the next couple months. Does anyone know of a very cheap/free midi device where I can generate a few midi notes? Not looking for the bleeding edge, just something to generate a few notes to send to my light control.

PC device, hardware, whatever. I know nothing of midi so give me as much detail as you can.

[avkid]

What kind of computer do you have?

[Schniapereli]

You can probably buy an old keyboard with midi output.

(If you use midi on your computer, do you need a special card?)

[avkid]

(If you use midi on your computer, do you need a special card?)

Either a card or interface, the dirt cheap way:
Edirol UM-1EX

[Chris15]

If you have an old PC with a 15 pin joystick port, you can pull MIDI straight out of that...

To properly isolate it and actually comply with the specification for MIDI, use a circuit like this: http://www.midi.org/about-midi/electrical.shtml