So, apparently I can afford one of those! 
I’ve always seen MPCs as unobtainium for me, but wow. Thanks to you I’ve watched a ton of videos and read a ton of reviews, and I am blown away. The sheer amount of features that you get coupled with a great price (especially if used), and the fact that Akai is still updating the software is making me EXTREMELY interested.
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Oh yeah mate they will be for a long time. It’s only a couple of years old and the MPC one/live/X all run identical software. With the most recent update you can use an audio interface with them too so if you can afford an MPC one and a cheap audio/midi interface you’ve more or less got the same thing as an X. They’re built to work flawlessly integrated with their own daw (mpc software) so they’ve got big money riding on this. Plus with the force I’m certain there’s not a new mpc in the pipeline anytime soon. It’s probably far and away the most bang for buck you could want from a sampler/sequencer right now
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Quick question:
How do you rate the pads? How reliable are they on registering all my hits/velocity?
All I’ve ever used for finger drumming is my phone running GarageBand, and the Model:Cycles, whose pads I rarely use, as they are rock-hard.
The MPC one pads are not as sensitive as other units such as the Maschine, but you can set the sensitivity of the pads. I would say they are great if you like hitting the pads hard.
Also the SP-404 pads are NOT velocity/pressure sensitive so keep that in mind if you’re still looking at it. No pitch/tuning of samples and no chromatic mode either.
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sp 404 beat making is kind of cumbersome, the sequencer is not the greatest, pads are not velocity sensitive. The MPC one is in a similar price range and offers a million times more features. On the other hand 404’s simplicity feels more hands on and faster to work with. Performing with the 404 is a blast, i love it, but i wouldn’t make beats on it.
The digitakt is a bit pricier but its the coolest sampler i have used, it sparks my creativity like nothing else.
Edit: i had the mpc one and i would rate the pads excellent
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I would often have the same sample copied across several pads set to different volumes to achieve a varied velocity, such as a quieter ‘ghost kick’ or three levels of hi hat. A slightly quieter snare is great for throwing in somewhere between the regular ones too. Just make sure the drum hits are mono in order to make space for a stereo main sample - the polyphony on the SP-404 is brutally low, only 12 voices at a time, or 6 stereo.
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If I buy a used MPC One, does it matter whether my used unit has its serial number already registered?
nope, the mpc is it’s own dongle
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sick 
Would updates be available if hes not registered though? Genuinely curious now
yep everything is available, he can register easily, cause he’s got the dongle
and if there is any issue they’ll sort’em out in the email
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Final question, I swear! 
Is the MPC One worth it in the long run? I ask this because I was doing some math and figured out that I’ll be putting down 7 months worth of tips from my job to buy this machine.
I do not want to spend this money lightly.
Also, a big thanks to everyone who answered my original question! I’ll still probably have to get the SP-404 one of these days. 
MPCs have historically had very strong resale values, even if you exclude famous models like the MPC-60. MPC2000XLs are still selling for $600-$800, which is roughly what they sold for in the early '00s. MPC500s are all over the price, but I’d guess that $400 or so is considered a fair price.
The MPC One sells for about $550 used, so the net cost of ownership is more like $250. If you own the One for two years, that’s effectively just $125 per year to rent the device.
Electronic instruments can be remarkably sound investments particularly when you consider the entertainment and possibly professional value they provide.
If an MPC One costs 7 months of tips, then an MPC Live will cost you eleven months of tips. I have a literal stack of synths, but due to space constraints I usually work with the Octatrack and only one other device - maybe two. For me, the Live 2 takes up too much space for its additional connectivity to be useful. Cost and size seem like they would be major negatives for you as well.
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Thinking of it as renting for a few years to own it is a good way of looking at it. Cost is negative only if I waste my money. 
Space constraints technically exist for me, but I manage to keep fitting more junk in my bedroom so its a non-issue.
I am very curious as to where you got your price for a used MPC One. The cheapest one on Reverb is going for $625, and they’re selling new for $799 at all the retailers I’ve scoped out.
- Go to eBay
- Next to the Search box, click “advanced”
- Put in “MPC One” for the search terms, and make sure you click the “Sold Listings” box
- Hit the Search button
This will show you the actually-sold price, rather than the fantasy asking prices you see on Reverb and Craigslist.
If you are considering a used unit, I would encourage you to look locally. You want to power on the device and test it with your headphones to make sure the pads are all in good shape and the unit actually works.
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Or you can go with Guitar Center. Right now the lowest price I see is 625 but the other day they had one listed at 500. That way you can return it if you don’t like it.
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Thanks for the info guys. 
MPC One seems like a good choice to me. When I first started out I tried to go cheaper with a Korg ESX-1 and within a couple of months I realized that I should have bought an MPC1K because it was a much deeper machine. I think the MPC One will similarly be something you can use standalone and grow into for years.
If you get one, take it for a spin in the beat battles.
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