seanbaker..
It is a steep learning curve with the Motif ES, but if you work with the board enough, it all starts to make sense. I'm quite far from being a rocket scientist, but I can navigate it just find. It just takes a little time and willingness to dive in and learn.
The ES is so much more convienient for putting pieces together. I can compose fine with my PA80 ( arranger ), but if I want to do original drum pieces, I often do it outside of the board. The pattern sequencer is great if you can play the drums in real time ( if they are simple enough I can, but if they're not I can't.. ), but short of that, there are many more steps to it than if I make my own patterns on the Motif, plus I'm not locked in to drum "a" playing along with bassline "a". I don't like the scrolling "list" type of editors / step time" recorders found in the internal seqeuncers of most boards. In the Motif, you can enter notes on a grid and then enter grooves for them on a grid as well, which ZI find a lot easier to work woth thaqn the scrolling list. Even so, it's still easy to make patterns up in an external seqeuncer or drum program and then transfer it to the ES' pattern sequencer or create an arp.
I'm gonna stray and rant here a little but.. The PA80 has one huge deficiency. Inability to sync with midi in the pattern sequencer. So if I want to make an original drum piece using software, I need to compose it outside of the PA80, then do the conversion to a style, then tweak the style inside of the board.. etc etc etc .. Too many steps..
With the ES, I can sync either way ( computer or ES as master device ), and record the pattern directly into the Motif's sequencer with no timing issues. Then I can simply convert the data to a user arp or kkep it as a pattern and recall it any time. Much simpler.
In praise of Yamaha arrangers, the sync function worked perfectly in the 2000's pattern sequencer and multi pad creator. I'm sure it's that way with the Tyros as well. I still think it's easier and more intuitive to do on the Motif, but Yamaha is way ahead of Korg on theire arrangers in this area. Midi sync is a very basic function, and should never have been left off the pattern sequencer of a top end machine ( it works fine on the song sequencer )
Probably this issue isn't a big deal to most of the arranger players here, ( it surely makes absolutely no difference to me when I perform live ) but .. if the PA1x is set up the in same way as the PA80, this one flaw alone will likely keep me from trading up to the PA1x, because it really hampers my creative process when composing. Instead I'll save my money and keep the PA80. I don't need a better arranger for live play.. the PA80 works fine, and I still like it's synth sounds and editing capabilities in the studio. But.. a backup or complimentary arranger would still be nice.. I tried the 2000, and I loved it's sounds and many great features, but the key feel and OS weren't much to my liking.
So, when funds permit and / or I can begin to perform more again and can justify the need, I'll add another arranger to the mix. Right now then Tyros is the leading contender for me.
This is one example of why one needs to try out what they are considering purchasing, and much of the dialogue here can help give us ideas on what to look for. This forum is a blessing in that regard alone, not to mention the interwsting stories and experiences shared. Thank you Nigel..
For me, I really need to see the PA1x live and in person. I know what flaws my PA80 has and will know just what to look for before I commit to buying it.
AJ
[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 11-06-2003).]
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AJ
But if you stick with it you will eventually "break through" and even start to like working with the Mo. At least - So I've been told. 
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