I recall they had their own (rather beat-up looking) AKAI S900 sampler (http://www.vintagesynth.com/akai/s900.php), and a box of 3.5" floppies with samples and S900 programs on them. We also did create some new samples, usually layered over existing tracks. I don't think I was present for any fresh tracks that weren't already in production.
Mase (as he was always called) did have a turntable set up, and he would play along DJ style with the tracks, but when it came time to lay down a track with the new sample, they would record him on the S900, then fiddle with the program to get it to sync just right with the existing rhythms. I don't recall them using any sort of sequencer or drum machine, so I suspect someone (it could have been me, someone in the group, or Prince Paul) must have manually pressed the play button on the S900, or alternatively we may have set it up to trigger off a MIDI keyboard.
As for the horseplay, there was a lot of it whether the mics were hot or not. Their work style was to say the least very informal and spontaneous. I think we did some vocals where they were all in the booth around a single mic, with one member (I mostly remember recording Pos) nominally doing his vocal track, but with "inspiration" from the others, which often seemed intended to make the vocalist trip up, after which hilarity would ensue. I vaguely recall Pos eventually getting irate, making comments such as "damn this shit costs money" and "shit I gotta finish this take for real" etc.
One strong recollection I have is a woman who worked for the label (Tommy Boy Records) during at least one session calling repeatedly to ask "Are they in the fucking bathroom again?" or to say "Tell Pos this is the last session we're paying for before the mix!" and then demanding I get Pos or Paul on the phone.
As stated before, I was not expecting this particular group or these sessions to end up having such a legacy. As an engineer, you see so many artists come and go that you start to get a bit hardened, learning not to get too emotionally invested in any one act, as the odds of lasting success are so low.
