Hi guys hope you're fine.

If I had 400€ and I wanted an hardware Pad/Sampler machine, what should I buy?

Requirements are:

- Ableton Live compatibility;
- Import Samples;
- Slice loops to play them with each pad;
- Possibly a visual display of the current sample/loop.

At the moment I'm thinking about:

- Akai APC 40 MK2;
- NI Maschine Mikro MK2;
- NI Maschine Jam;
- NI Maschine MK3 (which means Save money).

I'm open to different pads if they are under 400€/450$.

 

If you have 400 euros save 200 more and buy NI MK3 ,I own one and this do all that you thinking about, plus more options.
If you can't save more money and you all have is 400 - 450 then wait ... until you get another 150 euros and buy the MK3. Its worth it! My opinion.
In other hands, stay, see, what other members have to write about it and choose the best for you! Nothing its better than you, you can create music with just a couple of stones.

 

also consider the Akai mpd226 if you are just looking for a good pad/usb controller & working with ableton simpler/sampler :
http://www.akaipro.com/products/pad-controllers/mpd-226

 

That's push.

 

If it wasn't so expensive...

 

If you don't mind used gear. Push 1s are going for pretty cheap ($100-$300) on ebay. It'll definitely give you more control over Ableton than new smaller controllers in the same price range.

 

get a push V1 or maschine MK1 off ebay.. then use the other €250 for some more cool gear...

great minds think alike I see..

 

push 1 is well in your price range.

 

push 1/2 are exactly what you are looking for. If you want use your pad mostly as an Intrument, Check out the allready mentioned Akai mpd series. Best pad "feeling" for "palying as an intrument" in my opinion.