Nick, if you end up buying the Motif XS as your first synth, I suggest you go in with a really "BIG DEEP BREATH" before starting. The Motis XS is a great synth, but it's functions (like the Motif Classic and ES) are really indepth. The recording platform is also going to be a bit different as well. For example, one way of constructing songs on the XS is you'll use "pattern chaining", then adding linear tracks on top of those under song mode. Again the XS is an awesome workstation. However, she'll also come with a learning curve.

Squeak