Quasar, I am very happy indeed that you are up and running with your software based system. Your system looks very powerful to me and should serve you well. I have seen some of your posts on the Northern web site.

Recommending a midi controller is hard to do. I like the Roland A37 because of the key feel and midi features. Yes, I too would prefer a modulation wheel instead of the joy stick - but that is a compromise I have gotten used to. I think you will note on the Northern site that many prefer the feel and features of the Yamaha digitial pianos & Motifs. I did not acquire any of these out of principle (no sounds and effects in my keyboard) - but that is just me. Also I use my system as an arranger and hence find it useful to have 76 note keyboard to accomodate the changes for fills, variations, intros, endings, etc on the lowest octave.

I to own CloneEnsemble. I prefer DecaBuddy and Antares. These are however very expensive.

For ethnic or other unique sounds have you looked at this site: http://www.boldersounds.com/index.asp