Can someone explain to me what it is about the MPC ..soundwise?. Will sample "A" sound different in a software sequencer? Is there any processing done to the samples before they leave out or do you get back what you put in?
Theres a difference. Samples run through MPCs and other analog equipment such as the sp-1200 have analog filters and converters and the like that color/warm/saturate the sound a certain way. MPCs and the sp-1200 are known for making drums punchier, wider, and grittier.
You can also get away with more clipping with hardware. In software when a sound clips it gives an awful popping distorted sound, but with hardware you can get away with more clipping than with software as it colors the sound in its own distinct way.
This is a big reason why a lot of hardware uses don't like using software to make music, the sound of "analog".