I'm currently making some MIDI based demos with Cubase software. Of course I have to use keyboards as my controller. But when it came to laying down bass tracks (or guitar tracks for that matter), I really wish I can use my good old bass guitar as a controller.

Anybody out there know anything about this ?

greenboy knows a LOT about this. Seek him out if you dare.

In a nutshell, though, it's difficult to use a bass as a MIDI controller for the same reason it's difficult to get a really killer synth bass pedal: it takes too long to sample the notes because of their low frequency.

If you go this route I'd suggest getting a piccolo bass and adding a MIDI device that samples each string separately. That should be your best bet.

Unless greenboy says otherwise, of course.

Another alternative is to mix MIDI/software and real instruments.

For a great bass sound, why not just record your bass? (Same for guitar if you can play one.)

For other sounds you can use the keyboard as a controller, i.e. enter "note at a time entry" or whatever Cubase calls it. That way you don't have to worry about how well you play keys in real time. Especially when you're trying to lay down a violin track or something "non-keyboardy".

Now if I could only find an inexpensive MIDI controller with drum pads that I can play with sticks ...

Use a Roland GK-3B pickup and a Roland GI-20.

You'll find entries by Greenboy over in the Amps section of Talkbass, these days.

G.

Slightly OT but what are you using for drums? If you haven't already, I suggest you should check out Groove Agent 2 or 3. It's incredibly versatile and dare I say it, I've heard GA created tracks that were almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

I have owned the Peavey MidiBase since 1994 and will tell you--unless you get an accurate pickup (Like the Roland) don't bother going this route.

Use your keyboard instead.

How much moolah?