sampler/drum machine n00b help

[Olin]

Okay so I play as a one-man band and refuse to take on any live help because I'm stubborn human garbage. I've been getting on fine with an Alesis SR-16 with MIDI out into an X4 until now, and just running a keyboard into the second input so that it's all sync'd up nicely and easily, but lately I've been writing songs that have more complex keyboard parts and there's no way to play the guitar and keybaoard parts at the same time.
I would ideally just like a single machine to do the drums and key stuff all in one. I've looked into things like the SP-404sx and Electribe sampler but this stuff seems to just go over my head a lot of the time because they do way, way more than I need. I'm unwilling to have a laptop with me for live performances for the sake of compactness/reliability, so basically some kind of sampler with lots of storage and a master midi clock to feed into my looper to keep it all together.

Sorry if this is worded awfully, if anyone can point me in the right direction for this, I'd greatly appreciate it.

[spacelordmother]

Electribe is probably your best bet. Circuit would work, but won't handle complex keyboard parts (locked to 16 steps) and doesn't have much space (60 seconds total) for samples. On the other end you have the Eleketron crew (Monomachine, Octatrack, etc) which amazingly powerful, but also amazingly complicated.

[01010111]

I use an electribe sampler to do almost this exact thing. It's pretty great even if it has a little bit of a learning curve going in. Using the pads to program keyboard parts is a little weird, but I'm liking it more and more all the time.

[moogboy]

I'm a big believer in the Novation Circuit for these applications. With some of the newer firmware updates you could probably get closer to what you're looking for. I use mine to MIDI sequence my modular and only use built in drum sounds but with sampling and shit you should be covered.

[Olin]

Electribe is what is making the most sense so far, it's just the lack of 5-pin midi that deters me a bit, I know there are cables that will make it work but it seems a bit silly to not have included it. I briefly saw the Novation Circuit but it doesn't have a screen so I assumed it was just a controller, I'll look into it a bit more. Thanks for the input so far!

[01010111]

The adapter's included with the electribe. Everywhere I've found it for sale makes a point of pointing that out? Maybe it didn't initially? I'm pretty sure the circuit uses the same weird 1/8th inch midi nonsense that the electribe does.

[Olin]

No, you're completely right, they have made a point of that and I know it isn't a huge game changer, it's just that in my eyes it's another thing that could go wrong and I'm not overly keen on that. All signs seem to point to electribe.

[01010111]

I agree. It's dumb. Especially considering how great the electribe is for midi sequencing. It really ought to have six, full-size midi outs.

[Olin]

Well, just bought an Electribe for $450 CAD, which seems like a decent price for what they are. Will report back in the future.

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

i'm pretty sure i've seen those 1/8" to MIDI Din cables for cheap made by third parties. maybe ebay.
no experience w/ them but in case u lose one, u can replace it.

i always just attach it to my midi cable and dedicate that cable for use w/ that device, that way they always have a buddy.
i dunno harder to lose a whole cable then a little adapter?

theres not really too much to worry about w/ those adapters tho. its just like any other cable & works as it should.
just think about all the other devices that don't even have midi din i/o, and some that require a third device in the mix to translate..oy

[D Rock]

I would go maschine but that is me. The micro would be all you need and if you can find one with software for under 200 I think it is a great deal. Only downside is you do need a laptop but it does soooo much and has so many drum kits already. Synth sounds, massive, I could go on but yeah look into it.