500 to replace old 808 EX????

Sup guys, long time lurker finally braving these waters with a post. My question for you is: Should I pick up a 500 this christmas or get a new mixer? (I'm leaning towards the new Vestax 08 pro)------I've been a drummer for 17 yrs now, making beats with samplers for years now first with a SP 202 then a SP 808 EX that I still use with Ableton & Garageband with a Mac......I used to mess around with my homie's 2000 and I LOVE the MPC pad feel (duh, who doesn't?)


Any opinions would be appreciated. These boards really do have some of the most knowledgeable cats anywhere-------Peace.

Well all I can say is I love the 500 and I consider it a solid investment...but I guess it boils down to which one you need more the mpc or mixer.

If you do end up with the 500 you won't be disappointed.

if its a choice between a 500 and a vestax mixer. the 500 for shizzle. but like upright said depends on what u need more. vestax mixers suck though contrary to popular belief, the crossfaders are junk, if gonna get a scratch mixer get a rane or even a denon

A scratch mixer won't get you nearly as much fun as the 500. They are two totally different pices of equipment. Where do you see you are going with your dj:ing? You mention being a drummer - I'm thinking you like to perform and then leave artifacts and recordings of that to the afterworld. Even if it's just gonna be a blip on myspace - at least having easy access to record your pieces is priceless.

Financing is a big part of this. Would a dj mixer get you more dj gigs so you could save up for the mpc? That's how I looked at it when I copped the the Rane TTM 57SL before getting a micro korg, monitors, imac... Not that I paid for anything but the micro korg yet!

what mixer do you have now? you can cop a used 56 for pretty cheap these days.

i think he is asking about the 500 or the Roland SP808EX. Not comparing it to a mixer.

I just make beats for myself and some friends....for fun. I work a lot of overtime so the days of gigs are gone----
The mixer I use now is an old Vestax Pro III, and I'd really like to add effects post-fader to my cuts. But I also feel I could use some new blood in the lab, a shot in the arm so to speak, and I think the 500 my be a lot of fun to explore.

Basically, I make hip-hop instrumentals and cut over them 'til the wee hours of the night. Mainly because I love hip-hop and it keeps me sane. Thanks for your replys, peoples..........

Moms hooked me up big time & I ended up getting an MPC 2500----Imma so happy right now I could cry...........