Hi

My opinion about buying a sampler is that whatever happens, you'll keep it cuz it just does what it does, even after 10 years of (ab)use: playing samples... So with that in mind, i would go for a sampler that would suffice my needs for more than 5 years.

Now, different styles seem to have their own samplers... I know that the EMU line of samplers is very big in drum'n'bass, because of the built-in filters on it... Akai samplers are big in any type of music... The rackmount S series more in dance music and pop music, and the MPC series in hiphop music.

Personally, i have a Yamaha A5000. 126 voices, up to 128mb ram, scsi interface standard, bunch of filters, 6 internal fx chips fully routable with each 96 different effects... Works wonderful... With the sampler i got 8 cd's, and on http://samplelibrary.net you can find more samples...

Making an album while you're a newbie in composing music is a steep run... I'm trying to produce some tunes since last summer, and i hope and predict that i have stuff with my name on coming out in 5 years or so... It takes time to develop your skills and grow... And your studio will grow too