DJQ: The 305 will let you do that - it's able to accept incoming MIDI on CH 10 and play internal drum sounds from that. Personally, between the JX and the MC-505, I opted for the JX - it has a keyboard! The sound set it the same (the JX might have more - I'm not sure), and although there aren't as many dedicated knobs as the MC has, the layout is so intuitive that I don't have any problems using it. It also has the arpeggiator, which lets me grab a handful of music maunally while changing patterns. I like it a lot - and the prices are coming waaay down lately - under $700 from what I hear.