MPC 5000 vs MPC 3000 with SP 555

I currently have an MPC 3000 with compact flash, 32 mb etc. I also have an MPC 5000 upgraded to 2.0 software. I realize that I have too much gear and am on the fence about either selling the mpc 3000 and sticking with the 5000, or keeping the 3000, buying an sp 555 for effects, (and also using the 555 by itself) and selling the mpc 5000. I have had my mpc 5000 for a couple months and it has served me well, but I have read that people have had problems with it freezing, I have had my MPC 3000 for almost two years and it has served me greatly as well (No problems with it, the workflow is a little slow). I do not want to have to worry about the 5000 freezing up later down the line. If anyone who's had more experience with the 5000, or SP-555, could you help clear up any rumors about the 5000s freezing.

Do you use a DAW to arrange/edit your music? If yes, then I would definitely keep the 3000. The only advantage the 5000 has in my opinion is that it is easier to arrange sequences directly in the box....that can be very tedious with the 3000. But otherwise I would write as much of your music as is convenient with the 3000/555 and then use your DAW to take care of the details.

One other thing to consider: 3000 prices are going up all the time, so it is a good thing to hold on to and let the value appreciate.

No I do not currently have a daw, when I sell something I was going to get pro tools, with a liquid Safire 56 interface, because i also have drums and bass. Thanks for your reply btw. I was already leaning towards that 3000/555 combo.

I'll say keep the 3000 and 555 combo. The 555 is an underrated piece of hardware that was savagely slept on. It can be a controller or hardware sampler or BOTH at the same time, so it already has best of both worlds in one unit. Plus the Dbeam and the MFX, it beats the 5000 effects thats for sure.

Alright, thanks guys, what do you guys think about the liquid Safire 56? I've read nothing but good things so far.

Like I said, you already have the SP555, you do not need an interface. Think of it like the Renaissance but with a sampler internal the unit. The 555 is hardware, controller, and audio interface, no need for extra stuff.

But if you decide the 5000 route, yeah the saffire is a beast.

Go with the 3000/555 combo over the 5000. Your creativity will improve with it. I'm on a similar route with the 2000/404sx combo. It's more inspiring than my 1000 JJ OS which I sold a few years ago. Sometimes I miss the advanced features. But going back to basics with a classic MPC and thinking outside the box, the SP fits like a glove. All the SP models really pair up nice with any MPC. There's lots of resampling goodness to be had.