why would you need an mpc if you have the Fantom G? Doesn't it have the MV-8800 sequencer already inside it?
My boy who makes beats switched to software via a meko, but still sequences with the MPC4000. ( and he had a gang of keyboards, and modules)It would be a whole lot easier from a convenience factor by sequencing in the Meko, but he has not found a sequencer that is as good as the MPC for the type of music he does. He held onto the ASR-10 as well.He has more experience then most of us put together and has had some sucess at one time or another. He is gonna get another FantomX because he likes the sounds and the keyboards feel. He has made a beat using the Fantom Sequencer, but that was just to be able to know how. He doesn't like the sequencer either. He has had an MV8000 and that shit went out the door really quick.
He came up in a time when there wasn't Midi, and keyboards didnt have the big banks of sounds as today, so if you liked certain sounds from certain keyboards you would have to buy all those different keyboards and sync all that shit up with a sequencer via SMPTE( i think) the keyboards, drum machine recording equipment etc...i'm just stating this so you all dont think this is someone who has some piece of equipment cause someone else has it, He has bought and used almost any piece of gear you can think of and learned it completely before either keeping it or ditching it.
See back then there was no youtube or internet. the price of equipment was expensive as fuck....wasnt no free software, or 1500 dollar keyboard that did it all. There was no one to tell you how to use a piece of equipment and being most equipment was made in Asia the manuals were never very good and shit gets lost in transalation. So spending a grip of money it made you learn the equipment and bring the best out of each piece. There was more appreciation for that. Now shit is handed on a golden platter and many do not know how to use the features of their one program or keyboard, and if they are not instantly gratified they move from one piece of equipment to the other.
So to answer your question there is a good reason why many top producers stick wit MPC"s not saying you cant make a beat with anything else. Why does Dre still use MPC's..DJQuik, Battlecat...etc ( not saying cause they have one you need one) Those guys are Gear junkies, and are open to all kinds of shit, and have switched from full analog to using both...but they stick with the MPC...not cause its easy...if you came up when they did those were the difficult days, they can hop on almost any piece and start making beats cause although equipment has changed, many of it is the same in some regards.