I definately agree with loopdon's randomizing advice.

Some people call it cheating, but sometimes I use it when I have no idea what direction i should be taking the bassline in. When you play the bassline manually on the keyboard, this can get frustrating when it doesnt fit into the mix properly.

Using cubase's step designer is one of the most powerful bassline random generators i have ever used. It can do wonders! Many times, I may randomize just to see where it takes me, and then i will paste the midi notes and manually re-arrange some notes on the midi map....basic trial and error stuff.


I've also noticed some producers like to program their bassline patterns with the same notes as other synth chords that are also playing in the track. For example, if you have a high pitched three note chord pattern in the track, then finding a nice low basspatch on a synth and literally transposing that exact same pattern a few octaves lower can create some interesting sounds too.

Just my 2 cents.