Reason 2.0/FruityLoops/MPC

[Trumpspade]

Any opinions on the above mentioned items?
I have FruityLoops and I'm about to get Reason 2.0.
Are you losing alot by not having a MPC?
I heard Missy Elliot and others have used Reason 2.0 on some of their top projects, I just don't want to be too damn cheap. If a MPC is really a necessity then I would rather wait and invest in that.... My focus is R&B/HipHop

[jb4play]

I have Reason 2.5 and an Akai MPC 2000 xl...

[BigLex]

no single piece of gear or software is a necessity, no matter how much it costs. try out different things and see what works for you. MPC does the same thing any other sequencer does (thats essentially what it is, a sequencer with pads... sampler is bare bones, unless you're looking at the $2000+ MPC 4000, which is a full-fledged sampler), its a matter of your personal preferrence. a lotta people like the MPC for its ease of use, but you may work just as well with some software. I got Reason 1, aside from some MIDI problems sometimes, only thing I dont like about it is it has no MIDI out so you can't use it to sequencer external gear, its sequencer is pretty nice and the program in general is easy to use.

[BigLex]

no single piece of gear or software is a necessity, no matter how much it costs. try out different things and see what works for you. MPC does the same thing any other sequencer does (thats essentially what it is, a sequencer with pads... sampler is bare bones, unless you're looking at the $2000+ MPC 4000, which is a full-fledged sampler), its a matter of your personal preferrence. a lotta people like the MPC for its ease of use, but you may work just as well with some software. I've never used one, but it seems too expensive to me for what it does (once again I'm not speaking for the 4000). I got Reason 1, aside from some MIDI problems sometimes, only thing I dont like about it is it has no MIDI out so you can't use it to sequencer external gear, its sequencer is pretty nice and the program in general is easy to use.

[Devilfire]

currently im using Reason 2.0 for my beat production (rewire thru cubase sx for song production)

Frutiy Loops 3.0 for my techno/dance music

and Acid for looping

i HIGHLY recommend Reason if your already down with desktop music production, aside from Reasons inablilty to record audio its the perfect setup