Weighing in since I’ve been isolated for the last couple of months and have been trying to put in quality time with my MD mkii UW+.
Reasons to get an MD mkii UW +: Other than they are really, truly fun and cool.
The sound.
Most user videos/recordings tend to emphasis the sounds that one cannot easily pull from other machines and are quintessential MD sounds. The metallic and woody clanks and beeps in all their digital glory, the out there bass lines and drones. That’s why I bought mine and they are great. But the MD is also capable of being the drum machine that can approximate other drum machines, which is what was often pushed by Elektron at its inception. User waves took that a step further.
Sometimes the digital sheen does wear on me a bit but only if I am using the MD alone. Pair it with your choice of outboard effects and many of the concerns regarding its basic character go away.
Other than the Roland TR-08 I don’t think there are any other mainstream drum machines that offer this kind of flexibility in a XOX package.
+Drive
This is my second MD. My first was stolen from me. I couldn’t justify the upgrade to a +Drive model at the time but I am glad I have it now as it creates a couple of conveniences.
I have a couple of stock sample sets that I constantly use: a couple of acoustic drum kits, tablas, taikos, drones and some single cycle wave forms. Without the +Drive my MD was tied to my computer as there was not enough memory to hold more than one or two of these sets. Now I have a handful of sample sets that I approximate to the stock button assignments so I can swap them out without reorganizing them in any particular snapshot.
The other problem is organization on the non-+Drive MD required a computer hook up or a notepad.
I have a scratchpad snapshot and snapshots that are dedicated to emulating particular drum machines, or snapshots that are centered around a particular sample set or project.
Do I use it a lot for that sort of thing? No. But it is wonderful to have when needed.
The Sequencer
Yes, time has marched onward. Heck, the MD’s sequencer was pretty limited for its time. So? If I want a sequencer that can do everything I can sequence in the box or pair up the MD with something like an MPC or Emu Command Station (both of which I’m sick of and will be selling - ).
It is a great sequencer especially for running multiple outboard synths. I pair it up with a Virus B Indigo and an Evolver or two and have instant Berlin school synth jams.
Reasons Not To Get An MD
Sadly, this is financial. The MD had a long enough run that they are not rare. But prices have shot up. I would almost be tempted to sell mine simply because the return on my “investment” is huge (an easy $300-$500 profit).
For the reasons stated above, I have no reason to do so.
Should one spring for an MD today?
That’s a very subjective decision. The MD-UW+ is a historic piece of equipment. If that means something to you, good.
I see no need to find a vintage Mini-Moog or VCS. But if I won the lottery? Sure, why not?
From a financial/current tech perspective, unless you must have that sound, you could get a lot of the same functionality with a TR-08S for 1/2 to 1/3 the going rate of an MD. Or you could go for a current Elektron box.
Would I buy the MD today if I have never owned one? Probably not but I would never dissuade someone from making the leap if it is an otherwise smart decision. Remember, rent and children are not getting any cheaper.