See, all in one unit means crap. I'm sorry it just does. Although nobody is saying that something like another Roland MC *** wouldn't make an okay workstation for a beginner.

I write trance (among many other things) and I'm currently using:

Virus TI desktop.
Waldorf MWXT x2, Waldorf MQ, Waldorf Q+. That's for arps, lead, bass and pads. For more generic stuff I use synths like my Motif ES8 (although I've got 2 An1x plug-in boards in that one too). Soft synths... I have way way way too many. Use them all too.

just trying to say that what you want to do ideally is get a number of instruments that you know will each have their strengths. In your case for financial reasons you are probably limited to getting just a keyboard controller (not the JUno D but a dedicated keyboard controller like the M-Audio or CME stuff) and a bunch of software.

The Juno G option with or without Sonar LE (which is okay BTW) doesn't stand up to running several software samplers and synths. It is a simple enough synth with some nice features but odds are you will be selling it way before you think.

Not too sure about the suggestion about that Roland MC808. If it can act as a full blown sampler that is great. Don't expect to write albums with that thing but I'm sure it will at least keep you happy for longer than the Juno G or god forbids Juno D.

I think it is fair to say that until you know what you're up against it is hard to make any decisions. I suggest you put some more time into research. As in download a few demos of soft synths. Go around music stores and play with what's there. Only buy what you will find useful for what you want. Never buy something in hopes that it might be useful to you for ten years. Odds are your setup will grow and what you decide to buy right now will likely be your first real synths. nothing more, nothing less. More will follow eventually.

To sum it up.
A Keyboard controller won't cost you a $1000.00. Just a keyboard and something like Reason will outperform any peace of junk hardware and will cost a lot less. Software sequencer programs like Cubase, Sonar, Live etc will kick the living crap out of any hardware sequencer - period. Trust me, I've been making music for 20 years now. Surely there are people in this forum that have been doing so for longer but that's generally not the type to encourage you to run out and get a boombox groovebox type toys. Hey, the grooveboxes are fine. But I can't think of anyone writing stuff like trance semi-professionally that use just grooveboxes.

So getting the setup that actually does exactly that what you need may take a while. Whether you want to start by getting toys that make music making fun and easy (grooveboxes and all in one sort of workstations) or you want to start building something a wee bit more serious is up to you.

I have one thing to confess though. Some of the grooveboxes made by Roland have awfully nice and inspiring user interfaces. That alone sometimes can make a huge difference. Software is mostly mouse clicking and scrolling through menus. Can be configured otherwise but it takes wits to do.

So may be, and only may be... there is a fair chance that your first synth might be an all in one sort of groovebox type workstation. Again, don't expect to write albums with it. But it will still be fun. Who knows, may teach you a thing or two about sampling and messing around with loops and sequences.

-ED-

[This message has been edited by 3351 (edited 02-14-2007).]