Sounds: module or keyboard?

Alright right now Im into sampling and thats mainly because the mpc drained my pockets. Now I got some more money and Im looking for something to provide me with some good sounds. Major points are good bass sounds, drum sounds, and other random sounds to help make melodies. Problem is I know very little about the technical side and Im looking to spend about 500 dollars used. ALso I dont really understand how a sound module wworks, do you need one of those small keyboards to play it?

Sound modules are easy to use. Just midi it up to your mpc . When you say those little keyboards do you mean a midi controller, well you don't have to do have one but it will be easier than making melodies on some MPC pads. For $500 I would get a proteus 2000 sound module. It has alot of sounds.

Ì'm a fan of keyboard synths: if the MPC is doing Soft Thru, you set "Local Off" on the keyboard, and you have two split functions in one box: master keyboard and sound module.

I got that hook up too. Too sweet.

Ditto love for sound modules. You can even play something and sample it into the MPC. That way you have it on a pad! I would look for some type of MIDI keyboard tho. It can be an el cheapo one, but try to find one that has Velocity. But if $$ is an issue you can work around it. Just use ur dough to get the best module possible. Don't expect to do any Alicia Keys stuff until you get keys. Once you get the module, all you need to do is connect the MPC MIDI-Out to Module MIDI-IN. Output from both into the mixer.

I recommend the Roland XV series also. It is expandable...new cards=more sounds. The XV5050 is tight, a bit out of your range if you buy new. You may find it used for $500.

the proteus 2000 is horrible, Don't get it.

Whatever used module/synth you get, make sure that it's expandable. You don't absolutly need it, but it would be a wise choice for down the long run.
I think a used Roland JV-1010, and something like the Oxygen midi controller keyboard would be nice to start up with. JV-1010 has alot of expandable options. Look on ebay, and it might put you under 500 for the module, midi controller, and extra sounds.

what are some good, decent priced, midi controllers that go well with the 2000xl?

Everything that sends MIDI out works with your MPC or with anything else. As long as it has a 5 pin MIDI out socket, its good!

Roland makes them, Evolution, Maudio, Viscount, etc etc.. Too many to name here!

Choices are endless. Just make sure it has decent keys, I prefer at least half weighted keys. Make sure it has some range of velocity, aftertouch and maybe a pitch bender and a volume slider. I use a Roland A33 and it works pretty well. I f you have the money Ill recommend a Doepfer PK! It has real hammer mechanics. But they're pricy!

If you really want to go the cheap route just pick up anything that have midi out.

ive got an emu mophatt module....it is very nice and inexpensive, however-it will be a must to buy more exansion roms for it (there arent enough stock sounds to complete a bread and butter setup)

so if you get one, youll need to add other cards for around 100 apiece.

the emu mophatt is the same thing as an emu proteous module, except there are differant sounds in it.....you can actually buy each others sounds in expansion card form and get both in one. i.e. buy the "proteous sound set" and put it in the mophatt, and vice versa.

I like the emu modules, and the filters on the module are awesome.

Im pretty much narrowed down to the Roland JV-1010 and theAlesis DM5 . Any last minute advice for me, keep in mind i tend to not like the sounds coming from keyboards and which one of those two do you think would have the best bass sounds. One last thing, so it will be necessary for me to have a mixer to use this? because all i have now is turntable and dj mixer and the mpc.

HEy IKE i use a A-33 as well, you got a e-mail address so i can holla at you about some issues that im having with mines?