Sure. Anytime. Putting in plug and play stuff is good. Just knowing enough to do that is enough!

Your setup is similar to mine. I don't consider my self a guitar player but I have guitars that I use in my stuff when I "have" too. I'm pretty good at the rythym parts but not so good at the lead parts. The keyboard is where I started. You will be amazed how it will add to your songs once you get some time to play with it.

Computer and Midi stuff is something that I reluntantly went into as well, and I'm still learning but I have learned some things that are very helpful. (Like using midi to eliminate the need for the disk drive.)

Oh, and I have the Roland VS1680 for my recorder and I too have a Plextor CDR.

Good luck on the midterms. Been there, done that.