I really haven't used the MC-909, but it looks decent. One thing I have to say is that once you have an MPC for ANY length of time, it almost just becomes an extension of your mind and really is VERY easy to get around and program just about anything you want. I'm a little biased against Roland, as they have released a lot of rather crap gear in recent years (think MC-303 and MC 505), but the 909 looks like a new design, so it may be really good....just hard to say. I, for one, am not into a lot of the Roland gimmicks like the "D-Beam" and stuff, which I think is nearly useless, but that could just be me. Like you said before, all responses are pretty much going to be MPC biased, but it all comes down to feel for you. I know I can get a DECENT beat rolling along in the MPC in about 5 minutes....nothing that's going to make the charts or even the underground in any sense, but as a scratchpad, it's just as effective as it is as a full-blown production center. The MPC 1000, as a side note, is NOT something you want to buy, no matter what you hear. I owned one and sold it almost right off because of sloppy MIDI timing (and bad DRUM timing even.....) and also the frequent problems like sample clicking and stuff. I've now owned a 60 II, a 1000, and most recently a 2000xl. As much as I liked the 60 II, it was too limited in memory and was HUGE, and wasn't so much my style, so I have to elect the XL as my favorite in the line, even above the MPC 4000. The 4000 has been fun to play with, but I have a Mac with Logic Platinum running for most of what the 4000 does, and a rack sampler or three for the other parts. The 4000 is cool, but I don't like the pad response....
All in all, I say try them both out, but I think the 2000xl will win you over in the end. If you buy the 909, so be it, but I don't think you'll really get as attached to it as MPC users do to their MPCs (and for good reason....these things are practically children or girlfriends or whatever to half of us....I know my REAL girlfriend gets sick as hell of me playing around on the MPC all the time......
Peace,
MANiK
