Vortex Sound Research

I have a modest collection of synths that I would like to set up for live play, as well as home recording. I have a Roland JD-XI, Novation Xiosynth, Korg poly 800, and an Arturia Beatstep. My idea is to use a laptop to control the Xiosynth (no midi in, just midi out) and the beatstep to control the JD-XI parameters, while the JD-XI sequencer controls the Korg poly 800. I’m having a hard time trying to understand the midi implementation to make this all happen because I’m dumb as a bunch of dumb rocks when it comes to midi. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.