Gigbags/hard cases are great fr road trips, but for the plane, someone needs to develop a bag big enough for the Drum Machine and some clothes. These airlines are going bonkers with the bag fees..some are even charging for EVERY bag that you bring. I'm not trying to pay $25.00 each way to bring my MPC.
Story:
I once bought my MPC to Atlanta in a hardcase (about $80) and they wouldn't allow me to carry it on the plane. I get to Atlanta, and everything except the MPC arrived...it got misdirected to Pittsburgh. I was seriously pissed off and they assured me I would have it later that day. The day went, no calls. Next day, they were trying to locate it!! Locate it?? You told me it was in Pittsburgh!! A few hours later, a knock at the door, the drum machine arrived. I was happy!
I take the MPC upstairs, and ALL my numeric/transport/etc buttons were under the faceplate. I tried to convince myself that maybe the transfer moved it around too much (he hardcase didn't guarantee the MPC wouldn't move at all) so I take off the 100 screws, align the faceplate and tried to make some beats..
PROBLEM:
Apparently the volume button moved SO much it broke from the soldering. No volume, no beats. At home I got away with using the digital outs into my CDR's digital in, but Sprint completely phuked up my 2500. I'm convinced the MPC was opened up (after seeing some screws that were not screwed in straight) and I think they tried to look inside it, but got frustrated and tried to close it back up.
Moral of the story:
If your going to bring your MPC on the plane, MAKE SURE YOU CARRY IT WITH YOU! I bought a softcase (about $100), and that was cool, but you can't pack any clothes in it. There are some smaller suitcases that will fit overhead. The guy talking about the Goodwill stores is right on point. I wouldn't spend $100+ on a bag designed for any particular hardware. Small suitcase, use the clothes as padding, pack light and pack TIGHT! It's guaranteed to arrive, you'll save money, and you won't ever tell a horror story like I did!
