mpc, is it for me, for you?

hi ,
been reading abit here now, and gotta say a great forum.. ive got this little dilema maybe you guys can advise on?,, ive been doing music on logic/live/reaktor/blah,blah--software for a while now, and all though i like the potential/power of software and have got results, ive been getting a bit intimidated/tired/lazy by using the mouse to do drum programming triggering via keyboard, aside the constant micro shifting in timing of tracks unless converted to loops. I know the Mpc's are known for tight timing, is it that different, better? also the ease of use i hear(scratch pad,quick song skecthes,etc), and instant gratification that software just doesnt have(maybe except live)now, i know my questions can raise many implications, but to be simple , do you think its a wise move to get an mpc, if your already loaded?, never owned one, and before shelling out my hard earned beans im curious as what you guys think especially those that have both. You know ,i think limitations can free creativity, and somehow i think the mpc will provide that and focus, cause now ,ive got so much stuff that i get lost/confused sometimes when starting tracks and get pulled in many directions, and dont focus as much as i used to when i had a Roland R-8 and a juno. Or maybe i should just take a little vacation, i do spend most of my time on this?, i know many say dicipline is essential but sometimes having too much power can be too much? you know?i guess this would be a request of aesthetics and workflow not so much the technical.
thanks...

I cannot imagine not having my MPC. For years I used software only, later I added a Korg Karma (I really don't know if I love or despise this keyboard) and then within the last two months I added an MPC 1000.

I will never go back to Fruity loops again (unless there is a good enough reason) I thought about quitting producing, I was getting nowhere. I could stand Fruity loops for maybe 15 minutes before getting frustrated and doing something else, other than music.

The MPC has kicked my butt all over the place

I am satisfied.

I have to agree with maks....ever since I got my MPC, it's like I suddenly had a new interest in music. I too was getting frustrated with software-based composition (especially for beats) and would "give up" after an hour max. My MPC has made my beats sound soooo much better, simply because the interface is amazing and it's just so easy (TOO EASY?) to knock out amazing beats in no time flat. It encourages creativity and actually lets you come up with those ideas that are rolling around in your head instead of trying to get it right with a keyboard and mouse. Don't get me wrong, I still use Logic Platinum to composite my final tracks, but all the rhythms come from my trusty MPC. I have a 1000 right now, but used to have a 60II (wish I hadn't sold it, but sometimes life has it's hardships...), and no matter what MPC you end up with, believe me, it will take your music and creativity to a whole new level practically overnight. I constantly amaze myself with the beats I produce now, instead of going "Okay....this beat will do....just barely...". I'm actually collaborating with local MCs now and recording some projects, and loving music again like I haven't since I first started out 5 years ago. Take the plunge and just do it if you can!

likewise...have a mac/logic/blablabla set-up...i got the mpc to do live gigs, but quickly found myself using it as my main compositional tool...i'm using the computer mostly to process sounds now...a quick dump of the .wavs to the mpc and that's it...no more eyes popping out of my skull from staring at the screen (and the mpc's pads are really nice too...much more sensitive and intuitive than any of my keyboards')...and finally i like the fact that in a pinch i can easily pack the thing up and go.

Yeah... likewise... Got sick of doing 5 minutes of composition and 3 hours of copy paste click drag delete automation stuff...

It isn't... oh, the MPC is great it's got all the features you need.
Everything you can do with the MPC... you can do more with Logic.

but 9 times out of 10 I don't need lots of menus... I just need play, record, and overdub... and a simple sequence edit menu list...

It's more a question of workflow, what vision you have, and how you think you want to create things.

i was using the same stuff as you for a long time and was ready to give up music and just do art instead at the beginning of the year. then i decided to get an MPC and go live. got one and 5 months later i'm making music like an excited teenager again.

a break never hurts tho' too...

thanks guys, it seems i might take the plunge..