Any of you try using a sampler to get new ideas for a whole song?

Like if I played a song with guitar. cut it up and tried to use the sampler for backing track ideas.

Yeah, started with a Casio SK-1. Korg MicroSampler is probably the closest equivalent today. Or you could try a looping pedal.

How about sampler plugins and a midi controller?

how are you using them for helping you song writing?

Software-wise I guess I'd use FL studio, but mostly I work with hardware.

Um...yeah, most will do that. Just check the RAM specs and record time.

A pimped out MPC 1000 is a DAW, you have audio and MIDI tracks, linear I mean.

Then internal sample tracks (MIDI tracks assigned to internal programs)

Stay away from the Octatrack, you can re-allocate the RAM, but then you end up with like 1 song length audio track.

Stay away from the Toriaz, doesn't have the record length and is a general s^$tshow.

Maybe check out that Deluge thing...I THINK it has RAM enough for what you want.