Samplers with velo-pads

Akai MPC's

Roland MV-8000 MV-8800

RS-7000 (admittedly only 2 pads)

Workstations with pads

I've decided to sell my RS-7000. It's midi sequencing stuff is awesome, and if I didn't have a Sequentix P3 to get into the more esoteric sequencing duties, it would be sorely missed. I just find that sampling engine too slow (eg autochopping takes forever), and I want more pads. Its a great box, amazing really, just not for me at this time.

On my hit-list are the following:

MPC-2500

MV-8800 (or a used 8000)

and from the outside, the new Korg M3-M

Let me say this, I want to use the box as an intuitive midi sequencer, although mid mangling / processing like the RS7k is not a priority. I also want it to be a straightforward sampler, easy autochopping, editing etc. USB is a bonus.

From what I can gather the MPC-2500 fits the bill beautifully. However, the MV-8800 looks so well featured, its hard to pass up.

My first reservation with the MV-8800 is the mouse / screen interface. I hate mousing to make music, and the last thing I want is another big screen. How easy is it to use without the screen? Is it really that much better than an 8000? Can it be used 'simply' without getting into the deeper parts, it looks complex. I'm not saying that I don't want the extra features, but workflow / speed is a major priority here.

Also on the horizon is the new Korg M3, which, while not really set up like an MPC or MV, looks to be VERY comprehensive. With its workstation palate of sounds, which I don't have currently, as well as the Radias engine, and a good looking sampling engine, this might be quite a box.

They're all roughly the same price (although the MPC is cheaper). I want it to be simple and easy to do simple and easy things though (ie record, chop, assign to pad, playback should be a fast process). It also needs to have a robust MIDI sequencer to control my other gear.

What would owners of the MV-8800 and MPC suggest? I'm really lost. I don't really have means to test these gears either. It's hard to judge interface speed, layout and workflow from a manual.

PS I was thinking about a monomachine keyb for sequencing duties, but I think its just a bit too limited in terms of 1/16 1/32 quantisation only. The sounds would be great, I love elektron gear, but its no replacement for hte RS7k in terms of expressive sequencing duties, whereas I think perhaps the other machines are, and thats what I need.

PPS sorry for the massive post

Ive got an MPC1000 with the JJOS. I am seriously considering an upgrade to the 2500 for the better hardware. the sequencer is ace, and the sampling is about as easy and efficient as it gets.

The RS7k can do this cool thing where you can load up different sequences to different pads. Then you can choose a 'priority' for those pads so that when you hit them, the sequence assigned to the pad starts playing either straight away, or on the next 1/16 1/8 /14 etc, ie you can choose. Its great for live remixing.

Can you do something like this on the other boxes?

i dont believe the MPC can do anything like that, however it does have other performance features. when playing the sequence, you can change the mode of the pads from 'sound play' to track mute or sequence select. in this last mode, the next sequence selected plays when the current one finishes. I dont know that you can change that behavior.

one thing also to remember with the MPC is that you have 4 banks of 16 pads, and that carries over to the track mutes and sequence selects. you can switch between banks by hitting a button, and unless your going into edit mode, you never have to stop the sequencer.

used mv 8000 would be halve as much as a fullt loaded mpc 2500

akai/numark new stuff has cheap build quality.

roland stuff is built strong.

used roland mv8000 @ $1000

fully loaded mpc2500 @ $2000

they have similar functionality, but I believe the roland to be the stronger of the two.

use the money you save to get the m3 a couple of months down the line.

good luck

you could with ableton live....

Not really my cup of tea, i just can't stand sitting in front of a computer screen with a mouse.

live has gotten to the point where once you setup your environment you hardly have to touch the mouse. still might want to look at the screen occasionally, but with the new abilities for skinning it, it doesnt have to be an eyesore.

also, drag n drop can be a good thing for setting up big kits quickly

Live, as a MIDI sequencer, doesnt really cut it yet. It lacks a step note entry system, any kind of event editing, and I have had a lot of problems getting my other gear (monomachine and MPC1000) to syncronize with it in any kind of reliable way. its unfortunate, because live is a very wonderfully powerful system. I also despise its mixer. going from cubase to it was like going from a Euphonix console to a radioshack 4 input line mixer.

of course, your mileage may very.

kooki_sf I hear ya, but I'm not going there..

That's funny because that was the reason I sold mine. I love sampling and rather spend the money on a deeper and more computer integrated sampler. The new Korg M3 is the one I'm going for.

Yup the M3's looking good, might kill a lotta birds with one stone. It looks pretty complicated though, not sure how fast it will be to load things up straight away.

Another cool MV-8800 thing is an integrated phono input. I gotta lotta records and it removes the need for a phono preamp in the lab.