midi interface & thrus??

[mutt]

I've been using my Yamaha sy77 synth on board sequencer to sequence voices from the Yamaha, a Kurzweil PC88MX, Korg X5D and Alesis SR16 drum machine (though not usually all at once on every song) I've been doing this so far with a daisy chain type midi connection. I have two things that I want to do.

1. Use the same synths with Cakewalk (which I don't have yet) I do presently have an old Encore notation program which is supposed to sequence but I haven't figured it out yet. This is run through a Soundblaster sound card from the gamepad/joystick connection via two 5 pin midi cables (in and out)from the soundcard on a Compaq Presario 2200 with Windows 95.

2. I eventually want to be able to use the Yamaha sy77 and the Kurzweil PC88MX to both control a Korg sound module and the Alesis SR16 during live performance.

Now - do I need two different midi boxes, or is there a midi interface that would also work for the live set up?

Can I use the present soundcard hook up (do any of the midi interfaces work with these) or do I need to go to a com or serial port connection with the interface box?

Please suggest particular models with # of ins and outs if possible.