MPC 500 vs Roland SP-555

hi everybody,
my name is toby, from the netherlands.
i want to buy a sampler but i couldn't make a choice between the MPC 500 or the Roland SP-555.
I want to use the sampler for making hiphopbeats, but i also make some dance and other stuff. But i just want to make music without a computer, more real music.
Maybe later to use it on stage, but for now just for making music at home..
Which one will be a better choice and why?
i hope somebody can give me a good answer!
thnx!
peace.

ps, i dont know a lot about samplers and computerstuff so don't be to difficult

Hi there. I started out with the sp-404 but found it limited: No panning, no attack decay, no midi sequencing and no usb interface. But the Roland machine is superrior in their effect part!
I think the sp-555 is almost the same machine.

The mpc-500 has ALOT of bugs though! It tends to freeze on me. The effects is limited "rather pour" and it sometimes saves corrupt files.
I have mannaged to steer around theese flaws on the mpc, and is now a happy man

BUT i am not sure how much Roland hav fixed on th sp-555!?!
Be sure to know what you are buying!!!

(sorry for the poor English)

The Roland SP series have always been engineered as performance machines for DJs and Live musicians. The MPC-500 while abbreviated, it is geared towards portable sequencing and production.

It really depends on your primary need. Live, the SP-555 will destroy the MPC-500 and the ability to set things up on your pc is really nice. The FX section in the Roland is killer. You can strwam up to 2Gb right from the CF card you shouldn't experience laod problems on stage. For simple beatmaking the 555 can manage but it's a live machine from birth.

OTOH- MPC-500 has the superior sequencer by far , although it's overkill. It also stays close to the traditional MPC workflow and it allows you working while away from your main MPC. I think most users graduate rather quickly from the MPC-500 to other MPCs because eBay is simply littered with used units.