Best software for re-creating MPC experience

Hey guys, I am a long time MPC user with a very old-school workflow. I do my own sampling, load em up and combine with one or two hardware synths via MIDI. I would like to get a DAW on my HP laptop that recreates this experience, but leaves out the actual MPC. I'm only switching to beef up my available synth sounds, and have more control over the song as a whole (like seeing my tracks and recorded audio all on a timeline together, visualizing automation etc.) I would love to be able to trigger a pad with a computer key, while scrolling through samples til I find the right hi hat etc. Any thoughts on which software/combo of softwares would be best?

Check out Reason. You might like using Kong with a pad controller like an MPD.

A pad controller is definitely nice to hook up to any DAW. Reason is cool but I would go for something more flexible like Ableton; it behaves much like any other DAW when in arrangement mode. There are a ton of tutorials (going back to at least 2008) about chopping in Ableton like on an MPC. The Push controller is also super awesome and designed by Akai, making Ableton feel like a standalone hardware instrument much of the time. I have my setup divided into DAW (monitors and a MIDI controller plus mouse and keyboard) and then hardware in its own section but with the Push next to my MPC plus other synths, all feeding into patchbay connected to an 8 channel firewire interface. No need to look at the screen when using the Push usually.

Fxpansion Geist is greate for emulating the mpc workflows.

Gotta 2nd the Reason suggestion, literally sounds exactly like what you're looking for.

Thanks for the replies. Just to clarify what I really need is to be able to switch the snare sample while it is being played back on a pattern. Having a pad controller is not so important- I currently use my MIDI keyboard to trigger anyway.

Also, I thought I read that Live does not come packaged with a sampler?

Why not get the REN? It doesnt get any closer than that!

Maschine, hands down.

I used an mpc 2000XL for years, as well as Reason (I still use it sometimes) and FL Studio. Nothing compares to maschine. It makes everything so easy and it is basically A modernized MPC workflow. You can do everything right on the controller if you want or you could edit/sequence on your computer screen.

I made the transition from the mpc to maschine a few years ago and I regret not making the switch sooner. MPC's cant even compare IMO.

U can use the maschine as a full stand alone DAW but it has the feel and workflow of an MPC. You get to use all your fav effects and plugins right in the box, you're limited to what the "MPC" has to offer.