HELP, RED AND BLUE MPC1000, KORGpadKONTROL or BLACK MPX1000

Hey people, really need some advice. I use reason and a shitty old yamaha midi keyboard to make beats. I love to use samples too. I have the opportunity of buying a second hand blue n red AKAI mpc1000 for £270, but I read that the pads are not as good as the newer black version? Is this true? It's important for me to get the sensitivity and volume control.

OR, do i go with the Korg padKONTROL Midi Studio Controller | DV247?

Which is better honestly, to sample and make sweet drum beats that i can edit afterwards using software. PLEASE HELP.

All the best, Alex K

First of all do you really want an MPC? If the answer is yes you want a black one. Everything bad you ever heard about the flawed blue/red units design flaws are true and then some. To fix that blue you're looking at another 113GBP at current exchange rates and that's assuming a European retailer is selling it for the same price as in the US. (Renato Rizoli in France has prices on par with the states for example).

It sounds to me like you should consider staying with Reason and getting the padKONTROL. You can do all your sampling, editing and mixing right in Reason. If you feel that you 'd like to make beats with no computer then consider the MPC. Only you can answer what is "better" based on your wants and workflow. It's an apples and oranges comparison mostly. Although both options have the 16 pad interface. I have a padKONTROL and the pads are fantastic. I'd say the best on any MIDI controller, and I've had 3 MPD's, Trigger Finger and Maschine. The Korg would be cheaper, and between Dr/Octo REX and Kong you can duplicate a lot of MPC workflow.

Myself and many others here are happy to assist, but we can only offer feedback on the devices functions and workflow. The more you tell us about what you're wanting to do the more we can tailor our answers to your specifics

Thanks thats really helpful. Basically a friend brought his mpc500 over and the quickness of triggering pads and looping, making the beat etc was a breath of fresh air. However, I'd still want to edit in reason and I'm guessing I would be limited in terms of effects, compressions, eq etc with an MPC1000? Basically, If i get the padkontrol I put the samples in to it and then trigger them off recording straight into Reason? I know these are stupid things to ask, but does that mean that apart from being able to sit away from a computer or perform live that the korgpadkontrol does a really similar thing?

In terms of what I'd like to do its just playing in the samples and beat using my fingers on pads and not clicking away, the rest I'd use software. The Korg makes sense then?

all the best

The korg padkontrol is just a controller for devices in reason. It doesn't store sounds. It will send midi data or CC# to trigger the sound. If you're really comfortable with Reason, a controller will give you just that, a little extra control over playing in Reason. But there is a lot to be said for getting away from the computer and banging out beats on a self-contained device.

there is such a thing as black mpc1000s with the older pads as well... so make sure you know what you're getting... plenty of reading material on this forum regarding that topic and how to identify the new pads from the old ones.