I like to use either a sampling keyboard - like the Mo88 -or even better, a hardware sampler/midiplayer/synth, like my Akai S-5000 (Akai has other great ones)...but if you look, you could find one for about the same price as some expensive software program, used.

Of course hardware music equipent is usually improved over time with FREE upgrades, unlike most software approaches.

Another advantage is that you can take a hardware sampler that has features like midi playing and controlling/setting up song and set lists, along with selecting the specific samples you want, ON THE FLY, without loading time because they're part and parcel of the performance hardware. That's why these hardware-based machines are preferred in complicated Broadway Productions and Concerts where there are a number of sounds, effects are called up in specific sequence...without unnecessary delay or set transition delays.

I use software sequencing and samples myself... Pulsar, Sonar, etc., at home, but I feel more comfortable...and it's less stressful and more fun (for me, to invest in sampling hardware too.

If interest in used HW Samplers/Synths, check AkaiPro.com or other sources on EBay, etc.

Akai S-5000 Hardware Rack Sampler/Synth
Yamaha Motif 88-key Workstation/Sampler/Synth
Ensoniq EPS+ keyboard sampler/synth
Roland XV-5080 Rack Module Sampler/Synth
Yamaha CS6X keyboard Sampler/Controller
Yamaha Motif Rack
Roland M1+ Keyboard
Roland G-1000 Arranger
Roland GR 303 w/ GM-70 Midi Converter
2 Roland M3R Rack Modules
Korg Triton Keyboard/Sampler
Korg Karma Keyboard/Kontroller/"Brainiak"
Korg PS-80 Keyboard Synth/Arranger
Behringer Ultra-Dyne Pro Multi-Compresso
Lexicon L-1,L5 Rack Effects

Yamaha...Motif ES-8, Motif Rack, CS6X
Korg...Karma,Triton Classic, PA-80, M-1+
AkaiSampler-S5000, Roland.. X5080 Rack/G-1000 Arranger
Various Guitars/Basses Amps Pedals Rec.Equip.


Plus, BIAB 2015 and Sonar Platinum 2015 Upgrade from Cakewalk's Sonar X-3