Emu XL-7 & MP-7 User's Group

I tried to connect my E-MU MP-7 drum machine to my laptop using a 
Edirol USB - Audio interface, but all my laptop picked up was a low 
static.  I'm thinking that I need to send the MP-7 signal through a 
stereo amplifier before it goes into the USB interface.  I wish I 
didn;t have to use a stereo amp b/c I don't got the $ to buy one.  Do 
you connect the drum machine to your laptops without using MIDI?  I 
wish I could send the MP-7 signal to my laptop  through the HOST 
connector that's on the back of the drum machine.