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Any midi keyboard, really. If you already have one, or can reacquire something you have previous experience using...it makes integration and the learning curve that much smoother.

So keyboard over a pad style?

Your call. I prefer both with my 950, per the MPC 60 demo manual starring Linn himself. MPC60 and S900 vids are avail on yt
KB midi out > MPC 60 midi in, MPC 60 midi out > S900 midi in. I think that's the best of both worlds.
I believe when incorporating a new piece of gear with a learning curve, it's generally best understood in conjunction with what you already own and know from experience, ideally. Sometimes taking the plunge into an unfamiliar deep end is more interesting.

I'm pretty set on either the s900 or mpc2000xl. My concern with going the s900 route is I'll want to build a new rack based around it. The mpc is appealing because it's obviously all in one. I can take it around with me easier and I find the thought of just having it and a turntable at times very appealing as far as sourcing and being able to go right from there.

Perhaps start with the 2000xl and once I get a little more established with sampling expand out to the s900.

That's a great combination. 2000xl with s900.
Getting the mpc first is a wise move, I think.
I started with the 60 and later got the 950.

Agreed, get the MPC first unless you trip over a sampler you want at a really nice price. The MPC covers (to a degree) sampling, controller, and sequencing, whereas going with the sampler you'd still need both controller and sequencing covered. Furthermore, if you're hoping to do this in hardware - pretty much every single piece of additional equipment you introduce will have its own set of idiosyncrasies/character flaws that can either make or break your work flow.

Work flow is a hugely personal thing, if I had a nickel every time I'd read someone lambasting a piece of gear that I find a joy to use while talking up something I could not will myself to use I'd be swimming in AC right now instead of sweat.

crochambeau wrote:Work flow is a hugely personal thing, if I had a nickel every time I'd read someone lambasting a piece of gear that I find a joy to use while talking up something I could not will myself to use I'd be swimming in AC right now instead of sweat.

So much this, and it goes for pretty much everything gear related.

I agree, I've definitely been honing in on the 'ol WF within the past year. Plus jamming into the MPC and being able to just edit samples and perform all right there. Opposed to adding a new hardware chain into the loop on top of starting hardware sampling.

I'll be keeping an eye out for the 2000xl over the next few months. The only real gear I've been after is an mpc and a Roland rs-09- so whichever ridiculous deal comes along first.

Yep, workflow is crucial & subjective as c-ro & DoS highlighted.
Some scoff at the idea of working on an 8line text-only screen (mpc60) but I like how its OS/interface prevents deep dives into submenus.
It's hard to get lost...but there are tradeoffs...as with anything. Sample editing is done by jogwheel, ms counter start & end points.
It forces you to listen with your ear & not eye, but it's more time consuming than an iface with the benefit of visual cues beyond numbers.
The 2000xl you're looking at is similar, with the added benefit of a dotmatrix display where you can edit (crude) visual waveforms.
Probably the best of both worlds. The s900/950 only has a 2line lcd but that's all you need...in conjunction with the mpc of your choice.
MPC makes a great Music Production Cornerstone.

DAW/ITB has been a gift & a curse. The convenience and cost of admission are boons. The tendency to be in a hurry & overproduce are banes.
YMMV