Mike:

That sounds like quite a ride overall. I have a Motif ES 8 that is due to arrive next week, but my intention is to use it predominantly in the studio with Cakewalk Sonar as the sequencer, which hopefully will be a little easier to use than the internal sequencer both in terms of functionality and eye-strain. I also think it'll be pretty compatible sound-wise with my bread & butter gig keyboard, the 9000 Pro, so I'll use the MoES8 to create and tune up MIDI sequences for stage use with the 9kPro (in fact, I'm really looking forward to making some interesting sequences and styles for the 9kPro using the MoEs arps). I'm selling one of my prize studio Kurzweils to get the MoES8 so I hope I don't run into the regrets with it that you did.

I guess it's because I am an instrumentalist these days but I cannot fathom using a 61-note keyboard anymore. I use every bit of the 9000 Pro's 76 keys and I even find that to be a limitation at times although a bearable one. That is the sole reason I'll never own a Tyros, and I sure hope Yamaha is listening. If the Tyros only had a step-up 76-note model available with PLG board capability, lo-z mic input, and my beloved LittleLites I'd buy it without hesitation. (sigh)

Good luck with your new board...