Midi Recording HELP!

[80sguy]

Hello! I am new to this whole computer recording thing. I am so used to plugging the guitars and mic-ing it to the Marshall amp, to my Tascam 4 track and mixdown from there (but my instruments are limited somewhat).
I am having alot of trouble understanding this thing about MIDI. I already figured out how to record to the "audio" section with an external mic (same as the old fashion way). But I am having trouble recording the MIDI instruments. Can I even record these instruments?? I see output levels active when I play the Halion and Dcota etc...but no signal is being recorded to the tracks. Do I need an external MIDI controller, say a keyboard or synth?
Here's my set up:
Computer: PC PIII 800mhz w/ 760SDRAM
Sound Card: Terratec Aureon 7.1 Universe
(pro card with midi interface, asio etc...another fine product from Germany)
Installed Cubase SE
Installed Studio Case VST Instruments
(all from Studio Case Software).

I am using the mouse to control everything, do I have to install an external hardware like a keyboard/synth in order for it to record MIDI instruments? So far I can play and hear them by clicking w/ the mouse on all VST instr, but it wouldn't record at all!!! Only external signal from a mic can record.

Please help!

[fiction]

yea...you have to buy external hardware that transmits midi data via a midi out. connect this to the midi in on your interface. make sure that you select the correct ports in your midi settings in cubase. I recomend reading up on as much midi as you can. there is a lot to it and the sooner you get started the better off you will be.

[80sguy]

Thanx Fiction,
for the info!