I recently found out that I can get a 505 or a JX 305 for about the same price, and this poses a problem for me, because I cannot decide which I should purchase. I need a unit that will allow me to have easy and effective real time control (for live gigs) and great sounds. MC-505 and the JX-305 pretty much have the same sounds, except the 505 you have your programable drums included, as with the JX-305 I would have to use records or my computer to get drums going at the same time...or does the JX-305 allow you to play programmed drum beats as you play live?
If someone could help me out I'd really appreciate it..if you could give me tips on which is the better, or why..that'd be great.
I have turntables and a computer that I use at gigs as well..so with that in mind any ideas? Thanks..
-quikshock

P.S. the prices are around the same right? and should I be considering any other units, roland or not? like Jp-8000 etc?

[This message has been edited by dj_quikshock (edited 07-31-99).]

DJQ: The 305 will let you do that - it's able to accept incoming MIDI on CH 10 and play internal drum sounds from that. Personally, between the JX and the MC-505, I opted for the JX - it has a keyboard! The sound set it the same (the JX might have more - I'm not sure), and although there aren't as many dedicated knobs as the MC has, the layout is so intuitive that I don't have any problems using it. It also has the arpeggiator, which lets me grab a handful of music maunally while changing patterns. I like it a lot - and the prices are coming waaay down lately - under $700 from what I hear.