Workstation? I always thought that was a technical term for a computer at work not being used as a server. If you already have Cubase then you've got the computer and the DAW, what you need is a keyboard controller to input the music in the form of notes, noises or effects.
Look on Amazon for low cost keyboard controllers by the likes of M-Audio or Edirol. One or two octaves should be enough. Then you're gonna select your virtual instruments in Cubase and get going.
What kind of 'loopy music' ideas do you have? Electronic/dance, folk, pop, rock? Maybe a simpler DAW, instead of Cubase, might help aswell. There's a free one which I can't think of the name of right now (Audacity?)
More info needed I think to give a better answer.
Chris
