Got my Motif ES 8 today from Dan O'Neil, Keyboard City; http:www.keyboardcity.net - 1-410-665-MIDI (6434). Good deal and a good guy to deal with.

First impressions after an afternoon with it:

*it's BIG. 66 lbs. It's meant for my studio and fortunately I don't plan on traveling much with it so I got it a Yamaha-brand soft case. Impressive keyboard. BTW: the display is bright and clear and easier to read than I expected.

*The triple-strike grand piano is overrated - Kurzweils still sound better for my money. Seems to be fewer overtones on the upper midrange than on the other notes, which I find to be common amongst Yamaha digitals. May have to spring for the PLG150-PF piano expansion card like I did for my 9000 Pro. The "Full Grand" sound isn't bad but I've definitely heard better. Fortunately the keyboard feels great.

*The lines between arrangers and workstations are nearly gone now with the arpeggios/"Phrase Factory" (calling them "arpeggios" is misleading - they're patterns). There's a slew of one-note-potential-radio-hits in this thing in several genres. If it had intro, fill-to and ending buttons on the front panel, it'd be an arranger. A lot of jaded pros who think they wouldn't own an arranger are getting one in the Mo anyway. Lots of dance-oriented stuff but fun surprises like "9Ft.Hammrz" makes alternative rock easy.

*Sounds: Rock guitars are better than I expected, the acoustic bass is incredible, yes those Megavoice guitars are a little difficult to get used to playing but I've never heard better acoustic guitars from a keyboard. I also found a Hammond C-3 sound to die for. Lots of lush pads and syncopated synth thingys that's perfect for commercial music production.

It's a keeper. Wish the acoustic piano sound was better - that's my only gripe so far. Too much fun.