I have yet to start using MIDI as a means to controlling my patches, but I have seen many references to MIDI Yoke and wonder if I need it. In Pd Media it is possible to go into MIDI settings and specify the MIDI device being used for input and output. Assuming I am only using one MIDI input device, can I not specify that device here? What does MIDI Yoke do that I cannot do without it? I have also seen references to other bits of software (MIDI OX); is there anything else I should be considering?

MIDI Yoke offers virtuell MIDI Devices, so your can hook up MIDI software and talk over MIDI to it, e.g. a sequenzer or a VSTplugin.