[LAU] getting started with qjackctl and Linux Sampler...

I have used midi on Windows with Gigastudio and understand how to get it working. I would like to use my .gig files on Linux because I am afraid of another crash due to Gigastudio and I cannot afford to due another Windows install and then reinstall all of my software. The questions that I have is how to get qjackctl to get the midi signal from my TMK-88 midi controller and route them to Linux Sampler. A couple of questions are: -How can you tell if qjackctl is receiving a midi signal from your keyboard? -Is there anyway to tell if qjackctl is sending an output signal? -How do I setup qjackctl and run it out to Linux Sampler? I have a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Ex Platinum sound card. I don't understand how to use qjackctl or Linux Sampler? Thanks.