inputting midi/synth drums and bass?

I'm fairly comfortable now with Audio input and editing but this whole midi part of Sonar is very complicated at first glance.
I don't have a midi input device so I thought I'd try by mouse until I see if it's worth the trouble.
I see an amazing and confusing pile of devices included.
Step Sequencer
Software synths
Beatscape
Studio Instruments
Drop Zone
Dimension Pro
Rapture
Session Drummer3
Etc
Where should I start for basics via the mouse for input. 
Say for drums to start and then, once I'm comfortable, maybe bass then, once I get a keyboard eventually some strings?

Great lead thanks

Ok thanks, I'm going to give that a try today.
I'll look for some session drummer videos first.

If you are going to do much MIDI you really need to pick up some type of input device other than a PC keyboard/mouse, usually a keyboard. As for a synth, from the stuff supplied with SONAR, you might want to start with DimPro (esp. expansion pack 3) or the SI-Bass Guitar. But if you play guitar, you might as well pick up a bass rather than relying on a synth for bass.

+1 for Dim Pro on the bass.

There's lots of very usable patches included

Also, don't overlook the Pentagon - it's just a shame there's no better patch management - you'll find Bass patches scattered across many banks!

Understood, MIDI input can get very tedious with just a PC/keyboard and mouse. A cheap keyboard even for non-keyboard types like myself really speeds things along. You also have a lot of MIDI files installed with SONAR that are good starting points. Check them out in your SONAR media browser. FYI, I suppose you already found the Cakewalk channel at Youtube.

by not using a controller , you are missing out on more.. drawing stuff in by hand isn't the same for a number of reasons.. doesn't have to be anything high end. Any old keyboard that can do midi out, even if it's like say 10+ years old. You won't won't to go back to using keys..  it's like me asking you to play guitar in boxing gloves.. don't quite work.

you pick a synth in the synth rack (that in turn makes a audio AND midi track)... then a patch on that synth.. and hit keys and you get sound via the soundcard

the instruments can either be made from the pc's power or samples (recorded in the real world) and it just plays them back .e.g live strings or a drum loop for example.

pretty much that, most will have USB so thats the easier option otherwise you need a midi interface to hook it to a pc (more money)

yep sonar will set up the track.. but if you click on the instrument in the rack.. you get to see it's interface  / pick patches.. remember by default things like dim-pro etc. do not have sounds loaded when you start them.

as long as the tracks are armed you can record what you play also.. not all things have sounds mapped to every key .e.g. session drummer.. the lower octaves will start/stop a pattern while further up you have the stand alone sounds.

There's a video on my youtube page called X1 MIDI for beginners that explains the routing and how it works for both soft synths and hardware.
I agree with others though, yes you can use them without a controller but once you get one you'll be wondering why you didn't get it earlier. Not only is it quicker it'll ultimately produce better results. I'm no keyboard player but I can sure play one with more feel than I can a mouse.
 
HTH

Glenn, I bought one of these for my downstairs rig, and it works perfectly for my needs.

So far Glenn, absolutely rock solid.