Another vote for the Model:Cycles and Roland S-1.
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Dirtywave M8
volca drum
yamaha QY70
MPC One/Live/X
Dirtywave capability is DAW tier in ur palm
volca drum is genuine drum synth in ur palm
QY70 is genuine 80s/90s PCM in ur palm
I say MPC punches above it’s weight because of the pads, with pressure mapped to synth parameters it’s genuine polyphonic aftertouch. it’s generally known that percussion is the most dynamic instrument. MPC pads as they are designed and constructed are more dynamic than real percussion, before you even add pressure sensitivity. I belive a modern MPC is the most dynamic instrument that exists
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Probably this one :
I pre-ordered it, it looks fun. 100$.
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This one punches above your waist
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A good mouse, keyboard and chair. All punch very much above their weight.
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octatrack punches below the waist
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Akai Force - once it clicks (and you get over the size of it) hands down my favorite and most functional and intuitive sampler/sequencer.
I own pretty much all the popular ones (OT, Live 2, Maschine etc)
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for performance, Roland TR-6S
Individual track lengths, individual hardware level sliders, individual track FX, master effects, step loop. You can make a lot of racket with just four fingers resting on the top of it.
my favorite thing about individual level sliders on TR-6S is having heavy distortion on the master FX, the level sliders become like the volume knob on Angus Youngs guitar, rolled back u got old crunchy radio, rolled up you get system meltdown. kick and snare become just intermodulation distortion sources
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Microfreak is magic. Sound is kinda thin straight out of box, but it’s endless enjoyment to program and play. I need to check that update.
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Sometimes when the Octatrack punches you below the waist, you just sit there scratching your head, thinking “why didn’t I feel the punch this time…?” And then you consult the manual, read the same paragraph two or three times until you realize you forgot to put a trig on the… “Fuck!! That hurts!!”
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After this awesome update (even before the update, let’s be real), I’d say the SP404 mk2. Especially considering the second hand market, having all these features for that price is crazy.
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You prefer Force to Maschine (+) ?Interested in the benefits…)
We are talking in the past, right? As far as I am aware it has been discontinued and is no longer in store with any major retailer. And 86 seems way too low…?
major sell out in the past for like idk 30h…
86€ for a brand new Analog Drive (sealed box), no joke 
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A Raspberry Pi 4B with Renoise installed. A very cheap way to have an almost do whatever you want small device. Obviously you still need a screen, keyboard and mouse, but those can come very cheap or free if you’re not picky. Renoise is insanely well optimized to even run on this, but it runs very smoothly as well.
Otherwise from gear, the M8 (expensive, but not for what it is under the hood with keeping it’s portability in mind). Now, SP 404 mk2 it seems, especially with the new update out.
I own and love many other devices, but wouldn’t exactly call them bang for your buck.
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My advice is Mutable instruments Shruthi, in xt or “normal” version. It s an underrated really great instrument. It can do very great bass sound or FX sound.
I ve got an XT with rolandish filter. On second hand market you can find it a very low prices (for what you get)
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I want to add the Opsix and the Hydra Explorer. For 500 bucks each they provide an extreme amount of sound exploration. Imo they’re real nerd synths.
The muscular Moog might beat you up but the witty Opsix and the clever Hydra will cuss you out until the whole class laughs at you. 
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Speaking of things that punch above their weight, the zoom ms70cdr. It’s Microfreak’s best friend but in reality it pairs well with any synth.
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Not sexy, but the FMR really nice compressor is a good addition to a DAWless set up. Any thoughts on other value end of audio chain processors out there?
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I always wish for an android/iOS anytime soon, but a standalone unit could be supercool indeed!
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