and just to clarify to some of the older posts on here (because the full release version of 1.5 is on its way very very soon)
1.5 does in clude the following.
1)new sample editing features such as ; truncate, normalize, fade in/out, dc offset,reverse, silence etc.
2) greatly increased slicing features including 32,16,8 slicing (WITH MOVABLE MARKERS)
3) sp1200 and mpc 60 emulation modes (these are real emulations of the circuitry and not just eq fx)
4) midi drag and drop (amazing in for use in DAWs)
5) mpc program import (this inclused the s and Z series samplers instruments!)
oh hell here is the official list (although actually there is more stuff than just this)
New and improved features:
* Performance page with eight assignable "Macro Controls" per Group
* Host Automation support
* Support for MIDI Continuous Controller and Pitchbend
* MPC program import (500/1000/2000(XL)/2500/3000/4000 models)
* "Consolidate Audio" copies all project-related files into one folder
* Enhanced slicing with editable markers and new "split" mode
* Destructive audio editing with trim, normalize, copy/paste, fade etc.
* New "Project default" preferences including project template
* New "vintage sound" MPC 60 and SP1200 emulation modes
* 16 Velocity Levels mode for controller
* New effect algorithm: Grain Stretch
* New "Add to Sample Map" function in browser
* New "Copy Sound without Note Events" option
* Adjustable polyphony limit per Sound
* "Direct Monitor" option in sampling mode
* MIDI export for patterns, including Drag and Drop to host
* Improved event editing via controller
* Improved waveform navigation via controller
* Various other enhancement
gotta say. I'm happy i went with maschine (I was trying to decided at the time between upgrading from my 2kxl to either an mv8800 or an mpc 5000) sometimes its hard to belive that paying less can actually get you more. wow. (love my mpc but now it sits for when i feel like going "old school" lol.)