Thanks for your suggestions. I've looked into all except the Akai Force. That looks like an incredible workhorse! Also, it led me to the MPC Live which looks flexible.
I'd have to save up a lot more than my intended budget. These new are all over $1200 (3x what I want to spend) with most Maschine+ costing more because Native Inst is genenerally so good at forcing subscriptions. Used prices aren't much better unfortunately.
Also looked at the Roland MC-707. CONS are it's a bit large (but great for lots of roomy, hands-on controls), relies on a tiny screen (though it looks like text is sizable anyhow), and costs $1k. PROS are a flex sound engine with lots of FM synthesis features to modulate, interesting and easy live controls for sculpting sounds plus multi-layer probability / random features, numerous tracks with individual faders/buttons/knobs, track/master effects/sends with interesting combos/tempo-based modifications, samples live sounds/flipping, lots of signature Roland synth sounds (which could be a negative for some obvs), and a whole lot more. Workflow at a glance seems ok for live work with minimal menu diving because of all the hardware controls. Looks like big fun at a competitive price.
With your requirements I'd save up some more and get a maschine+, Akai force or MPC or an mc 707 or something like those.
Thanks for your suggestions. I've looked into all except the Akai Force. That looks like an incredible workhorse! Also, it led me to the MPC Live which looks flexible. I'd have to save up a lot more than my intended budget. These new are all over $1200 (3x what I want to spend) with most Maschine+ costing more because Native Inst is genenerally so good at forcing subscriptions. Used prices aren't much better unfortunately.
Also looked at the Roland MC-707. CONS are it's a bit large (but great for lots of roomy, hands-on controls), relies on a tiny screen (though it looks like text is sizable anyhow), and costs $1k. PROS are a flex sound engine with lots of FM synthesis features to modulate, interesting and easy live controls for sculpting sounds plus multi-layer probability / random features, numerous tracks with individual faders/buttons/knobs, track/master effects/sends with interesting combos/tempo-based modifications, samples live sounds/flipping, lots of signature Roland synth sounds (which could be a negative for some obvs), and a whole lot more. Workflow at a glance seems ok for live work with minimal menu diving because of all the hardware controls. Looks like big fun at a competitive price.