mr_debauch wrote:what are you already using?
the maschine is software with a usb controller... it requires a computer.
the 500 is a small standalone music making machine... well it let's you record or load samples and create patterns with those samples. you can also sequence other gear with midi on the 500.
the 404 is a cool machine. it is a sampler that can record extremely long samples... but editing them is not very easy on the 404 when you compare it to how it's done on the maschine or the mpc. However it has a lot of fx and other things to make up for it. I think the 404 and the 500 would be great to use together.
the maschine is potentially the most powerful with the most features... it is the newest. the 404 and 500 are stand alone units not requiring a computer.
I'm using the mpk mini mk2 and it's just not cutting it. Out of all those, I'd think the sp 404sx would be the best choice out of them. The Maschine sounds good, is it worth being tied down to the laptop?