Saw an MK1 non UW going for $700. What’s peoples take on that? I love drum boxes, and have been wanting an MD for a long time now, but is it better to hold out for an MK2?
I’d get a MkII… 64 steps better then 32 steps; ins/outs etc.
User Wave: Debatable; nice to have; but not the be all and end all; depends on other gear / usage?
+Drive: Can live without it. Also depends on the UW and if you are on the road / gig a bit / heavy user etc
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Yes
Mi opinion is better MKII for several reasons already discussed on the forum
on the long run I have to change now I have both
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64 steps is more musical or easy to construct patterns imho
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the balanced vs unbalanced output s
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for me sound different specially on the FX area way more clear and present on the MKII
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power supply is bulky on MKI some faulty connectors on older units are tricky
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lighter and slimmer better for travel live gigs etc.
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way More capacity and more ram/rom machines on the uw territory
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etc etc
Both units I have are uw so I never used a non sampling units I really recommend MKII
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Right on gang. Thanks for the input. I hadn’t even thought about things like the massive brick the mk1 must have, and that the components on the mk2 provide better sound. I was aware of the 32 steps, which wasnt a deal breaker as sometimes limitations breed creativity, but cant go wrong on an improved sounding unit. Thanks again, I appreciate it.
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Still have my MKI bought back in 2001, probably never let it go. 
Agree with what others have said about MKIIs and recommend getting a UW equipped unit if you can find one.
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Things to consider is the units are more expensive and the good are a few people making great things for the silverbox
more functionality and better than ever
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I’d always go for an MK2 UW if I had the choice, but these days they are getting harder to find and are selling for pretty crazy prices. Truth be told I’d be more than happy with a MK1 non UW if it was the only one available and was selling for a good price. The ability to resample live is great, but most of the functionality and sounds that make the Machinedrum what it is can be found on the OG version. I rarely find myself changing snapshots on my UW+ and I can personally live with only 32 steps. With song mode and pattern chains even 16 steps is enough for me.
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$700 for a non-UW mk1 also isn’t a one of a kind bargain. Bought (and sold to get a mk2 UW) mine last year for 500€. I’ve seen non-UW mk2s going at around 700€. Truth be told I thought I’d be using the UW part a lot more but even without it it’s my fave drum machine. So whenever a better deal presents itself to you, go for it!
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I bought my SPS-1 MKII (not uw) 600€ and sold my MKI 500€.
Wait for a MKII… MKI dont have elektron support anymore and the PSU is hard to find.
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Thanks again everyone.