Well, thanks all for the advice. I took the plunge last night. I was looking at the Korg PK up at a local pawn shop that had the software and stuff with it for $100.00. I thought that was a bit steep for a pawn shop since I'd seen new ones at Amazaon for $140 to 150.00
I checked on E-bay for "ending soonest" and picked up an Akai MPD26 with all the accessories still shrink wrapped for $130.00. (Plus shipping) I've already downloaded the manuals and started going through them and should have the unit by the middle of next week. Can't wait. Now I've got to clean my workspace so I have a place to set it up! Oh, well.
Around every silver lining is a dark cloud.
To Beepster: I was really leaning towards that Korg PK until the last line of your last post!
Thanks All! I appreciate all the advice and help. It helped me take a leap. Without it I would have spent a couple of more weeks reading and watching the net.
For the record- I know I've been an inactive member of this forum for a long time but I'm actually kind of a noob myslef. When I first signed up I was starting to educate myself but had a really bad few years on a personal level.
My wife was diagnosed with cancer, (Mutliple Myeloma) and had a major stroke during her 2nd chemo treatment and ending up spending over three months at several different hospitals. She finally came home but needed around the clock help for a long time. She's get a bit better and then a bit worse off and on.
In 2008 my older and only brother died suddenly, 8 months later in 2009 my father died and then in August of 2010 I lost my beloved wife of 33 years. We had become Grand parents about a year earlier. I stopped playing and recording for almost two years. I just started to get into playing and learning Sonar and early this spring one of my two dogs was diagnosed with cancer. I'm getting her treatment but it's expensive and off and on time consuming. I now have two grand kids living with me and another on the way and I thank God for them because they've made me want to continue living.
So please understand that although I've been a member a long time I'm still somewhat of a novice and I'm having to re-learn guitar as well. So- that's my story and I DO appreciate all of you reaching out and giving me advice.
Its uplifting to know that there are good people around that will go out of their way to help a complete stranger.
Thanks again.
Update- my dog died in Dec. 2012. I got a new Grandson in March of 2013 so I have three Grand-kids (4 and under) living with me now.
It's really hard to record with them around but they are more important anyway. I've had the Akai MPD26 for quite a while now and when I do get time to use it, I love it.
Also picked up Jamstix a few months back and I absolutely LOVE that! With that and all my Superior Drummer stuff my drum tracks are sounding great.