mpc 1000 with jjos. pad upgrade, 128mb for 500 ??

ok here's the deal...

i've got an mpc 1000, havejjos v1 (the bought one), a memory upgrade to 128mb and a pad upgade for the softer pads.

i love the machine - but find its a bit bulky for my needs -

so im thinking about putting it on ebay (got all the manuals, boxes etc) and getting an mpc 500 which seems more portable - i do some piano sampling but don't have loads of vinyl so if the 500 doesnt sample its no big deal.
but i do enjoy chopping up beats and samples (which i've spent the last month or so learning)
so any thoughts on the following really would be welcome.

i) I take it mpc 500 does NOT run jjos. So i know im using a 'souped up' mpc 1000. what are the main things i'd lose by going to 500. i have a microphone - will the 500 sample my voice and overdub it (like the way the 1000 can sample itself?)
ii) I use the mpc 1000 as a composition tool - will i be able to do much the same with the 500 ??
iii) are there composition tools that arent akai mpc but do as good a job - im looking for something as close as possible to ableton but in hardware form. im v interested in this question - so any feedback welcome.
iv) Im looking for something that I can sit in a chair - relax -and literally sing ideas into the mpc. and add new tracks (usually piano). does the mpc 500 do this ?

any help on this welcome. Im based in UK
cheers
mark

Will you miss the 4 pads you're going to lose? I know I would! That's reason enough to keep the 1000 for me

fair enough question - and I think that would be the thing I miss most of all...

but its worth it just for the portability

I used to use Reason and Abletron for music production so from now on its all a bonus )

thanks

mark,

If your looking for anything near a software program, the JJ is really the only place to go. The 500 does not have a JJ program. It will allow sampling though, and you can definitely use it as a composition tool. I got the 1k because I wanted something portable and the JJ OS sold me. You can still stuff it into a backpack. Good luck in whatever you decide...

Don't do it in reality the 1000 is just as portable. IVE HAD BOTH. and now have the 2500, the 1000 is sick. and I even had a nice breif case for it , full of foam, brought it every where. but don't let me tell you what you want.

I throw mine in my backpack when I'm on the go- I'd like to have a case like that for longer trips

I had a 2000XL and the only thing I miss is the easy chopping of samples - the 500 has no wave editor, but you wouldn't think that would be necessary to chop up a sample.

As for portability, people are saying the 1000 is just as portable, but I make a good amount of my beats on the 500 in the car on the way to/from work, so it works out better for me. I don't REALLY miss the extra pads, either.

Man, my old man used to freak me out by reading while he drove me to school when I was a kid...I can only imagine how scary being the car with a driver who's pounding out a kick track while driving! lol