Best Combinations?

Alright Homies,
I'm lookin to mess around with beats again as a hobbie/stress reliever. I've been reading and reading and reading. I've peeped out a grip of blogs about pretty much every MPC model, the MPD32, the MV8800, Logic Studio 9, and Ableton Live 8. I'm stuck on what to get. I've already got my turntables and Rane 57SL hooked up to my Macbook Pro. I've also got the MPK mini but haven't really messed around with it seriously. I'd like some opinions/feedback on what possible combinations would be good. I first started peepin out the MPC5000, then the 2500, then the 1000, then the Roland MV8800, then Logic, then Ableton, then Maschine. And now I'm stuck yo and don't know what to go waste my hard earned university cash on. MPC only? Or Ableton/Logic & MPD32? Ableton/Logic & MPC1000 or 2500? I know the 4000 is dope but its difficult to find. I keep reading that the 1000 with jjos is cool but it's more of a toy and the 2500 is a better fit. I also read bad shit on the 5000 but then started reading shit that with the new os its cool. I like the idea of bangin away on the pads. I'm not really feelin the whole click on the mouse only to make beats. Any ideas/opinions/feedback is greatly appreciated. Thx

I'd have to say Ableton ......Hands down.

Ableton alone? What about controllers?

Thaiphoon74 wrote:Ableton alone? What about controllers?

Personally i use just a mouse .Once you get over the whole aspect of i have to tap out my beats on pads to be credible you will find that software is all you need,I did and would neve ever go back to hardware/controllers ever again!!.

Well, that's what I originally posted. I'm not feelin the "click the mouse".... I've done it before.... it aint no fun to me.

Thaiphoon74 wrote:Well, that's what I originally posted. I'm not feelin the "click the mouse".... I've done it before.... it aint no fun to me.

You'll get over that hurdle I'm sure

Use paragraphs dude so its easier to read!

Decide whether you want to go down the software or hardware route.

As you have an mpk already it would be easy to use it as a controller, get Logic as you're using a mac, and your good to go.
Or choose the hardware approach and get over into the comparison forum and try work out which model suits what you want it for.
IMO a 1000 is worth looking at

Thaiphoon74 wrote:hard earned university cash

get logic for tracking, and a mpc1k

the 1k has lots of features and isnt as pricey as the others

remember its not the machine, its the man behind the machine

you can make proffesional sounding ish with all the products you metioned, so its more about what particular features you know you want.

Thaiphoon74 wrote:Well, that's what I originally posted. I'm not feelin the "click the mouse".... I've done it before.... it aint no fun to me.

I agree. You'll get used to it. Add some dragging and scrolling to mix things up. Try using the middle mouse wheel more to add even more variety. Also try a different surface. You can add a little randomization to you beats by using the mouse on your pant leg for example.

^