looking to purchase a synth/sampler/sequencer/recorder

ok so I'm looking to purchase a synth/sampler/sequencer/recorder device but everytime I see something that looks perfect, there's always a feature missing that would make it unusable for me.

I want to be able to record guitar/bass/vocal loops and have them play along with the internal sounds in a sequence. I'd also like to be able to chop these loops up, add effects, etc. and I'd also like to be able to record audio tracks like a multitrack recorder.

the units that have stood out the most to me are the Roland MC-909, the Fantom X (although I am a bit turned off by the screen), and the Yamaha Motif ES/AW2400.

I make pretty much every kind of music, from folk to dance to metal to hiphop.

does anyone have any suggestions? I'd really like an all-in-one unit, but maybe 2 devices working together would be better?

Thanks a lot for any help.

Id get a dedicated sampler/sequencer with no onboard sounds and a dedicated synth with no onboard sequencer/sampler. All in one solutions tend to SUCK.

Plus a piece of software for dedicated loop mangling/slicing.

thanks for the fast replies.

I'll have to take a look at the Fusion. I've heard a lot of horror stories.

one possibility I've thought about is an mpc1000 with a motif rack but then I'd need an external controller and a mixer. I'm trying to keep this semi-portable.

I would go with the Fantom-X. Why don't you like its display?? I would say the display is one of its strong points..

seems too much like a computer screen and that's kinda what I'm trying to get away from.

look into the emu command station dealies. I hear there really cool.

those don't have sampling do they?

I have an sp404 but it's really frustrating for doing live sampling.

I could have sworn they were dedicated samplers :o:o

It really sound like you are in the market for a PC; it is one thing to want a good pice of hardware to do each of those, but quite another to want one thing to do them all well and be portible to boot.

A laptop, some software and a controller + interface would be something to consider, especailly if you are planning "to record audio tracks like a multitrack recorder" all at once.

Originally posted by myteeGTi I could have sworn they were dedicated samplers :o:o

No sampling, but you can add additonal ROM sound chips. Got 3 in mine.

I don't have much trouble sampling with my SP-404?

do you sample live instruments? I always have the hardest time getting the tempos to match when I try to use it like a multitracker because you can't sample while playing back what you previously recorded. Does anyone know if this is possible with the mc909?

thanks for all your help.

You might check out the SP-505, it has a LCD for sample editing. Also has a tempo sync button that makes getting all the samples in time a lot easier.