I found the getting into grooveboxes thing very interesting - you want simplicity and immediacy and yet comprehensive options (especially with an ITB background). Over the last couple of years I bought a number of entry level grooveboxes and cheap synths just for fun and because they didn't break the bank. Looking back the money spent would have probably gotten me a more expensive setup with Electrons and a bigger MPC, but then again, less portability, more money spent at a time and maybe a workflow with more menu-diving (and yes, I have Rolands
).My point to the discussion is this - no single groovebox is perfect and each one has its strengths and weaknesses. Fortunately, it's not that hard syncing up a couple of boxes, that you then treat a bit like one trick ponies (and it's easier to do that, if they aren't expensive) and use them similar to a modular system. I have them mounted with midi interfaces and mixers on a peg board with all the audio and midi cable shit on the back and I can play with all of them or pick just one of them and program something on the couch or to take it with me.
It's probably the same amount of money and time spent in comparison to a setup with less, but more professional machines, but this approach could ease the time and money factor for some (if you're just a hobbyist and not a touring musician). And if a single machine breaks it's also not that costly and the system doesn't fall apart.