Is there a way around the Akai MPC?

[Native MC]

I need to find a reasonable sequencer without breaking the wallet. Everbody says the only way to sample/sequence is the MPC. But I was wondering what else is out there that might compare?

Right now I am using my Roland 880 to sequence by copying and pasting the beat/sample. Holla back if anyone has ideas.

[Essence]

look into the ASR Pro(something a scale down from the mpc, but gets the job done).maybe u could go with the SP1200. Or even cheaper, if u already have a computer get some music software where u can edit loops and sequence and all that good stuff. Theres different price ranges for different programs, depending on what ur using it for! I use a Korg Triton Keyboard with a sampler and sequencer on it but when i get lazy sometime, I use the computer programs i have!

[Native MC]

I have fruity loops and reason. The thing that concerns me most is sound quaulity of the drum machine. I don't sample records much, just bits of me playing guitar, bass, or vocals to get a consistant sound. Fruity doesn't sound too bad, but you can't throw in any live sampling. It must be an mp3 or wave file. So I can't just play a part from my guitar and sample right then. I would have to burn it to CD first.

I got the Boss DR-202, which I like alot for ideas. But when it comes to recording the level comes in really low.

The MPC is great, just trying not to break the wallet!!