Stage Sequencer: Maschine vs Europa vs Ableton

[Polarelch]

Right, at least the Europa is actually no synth, but I hope it's still ok to ask this here

here's what I think so far:
Maschine needs a computer plus an audio interface to work, but then it comes along with so many possibilities and fun.
Europa is "just" a sequencer, but it works standalone, well, of course it needs to be attached to some synth.

I know there's also the Monomachine, which I own (older version), which I want to use, but the available patterns are too limited to create 10-20 different songs in it.

So my current plan is this (oh well, it changes every other hour):

In addition to my NordLead 2x on stage, I want to:
Use either Maschine + Computer + Audio-Interface / DSI Mopho (sequenced by Maschine, drum sounds by Maschine)
or Europa / Monomachine / DSI Mopho (sequenced by Europa, drum sounds by Monomachine).

OK then there is Ableton live, which I always failed to test properly cos I didn't get it. It was recommended to me because the cheapest version would just do what I need. Well, it needs a computer/interface as well, and to me it really doesn't look as fun as the other two.
Opinions? I am especially curious about remarks about the Europa, because it's quite hard to get some independent reviews there.

[paulh]

id go for abelton, i have a machine and don't think it would do what i want for a live set. it would be ok to supplement a dj set up , but i guess it depend on your music. abelton with a controller would bring some fun into it and be the most versatile . i use it with 2 lemurs so i don't have to look at the screen and keep the laptop off to the side.

[Polarelch]

OK thanks very much! I bought Ableton Intro in the meantime, and now I know how to use it, and really like what it can do.
The problem I discovered, however, is that my macbook white is facing quite a lot of problems with latency.
That would also rule out the Maschine. I might test it with another audio interface, the Motu Ultralite was recommended to me for low latency.
But at the moment, I look for a pure hardware alternative at least...
Though, when I get over the latency issues, which controller would you recommend for ableton? Something cheap?
The launchpad looks a bit... irritating lol

[paulh]

ok you should be ok with your mac book i use my black one sometimes and its fine , you just have to look after it and keep it lean, as long as its an intel that is.

i use a motu no problem , sound isn't the best but rock solid live.

i have terrible latency issues with machine on all my macs on and off...

i prefer a touch screen so i can see the name of the clip I'm launching! but you could use any well equipped keyboard controller and map clips/scenes to keys and then label the keys, a bit old school but works a treat! better than a launch pad anyway , for me that is. the akia mpc is good but again falls down on no names on buttons s pin the heat of a gig its a bit scary .

[sequentialsoftshock]

What interface are you using?

[Polarelch]

Echo Audiofire 4 at a white macbook early 2008, extended to 4GB ram.

[cartesia]

you should definitely be able to get better performance...

my white macbook (mid 07) was capable of running live with near-zero latency even just through the internal audio interface