Too bad M-audio has no intention of supporting XP x64 and seems to have problems getting out drivers for vista/7 64-bit too.

I want a midi interface with standalone patchbay functionality (mainly merging) as well. I don't really need a full 8 i/o device, something like 4-5 would suffice. However, it needs to have XP x64 drivers, and windows 7 drivers would be a nice bonus as well. What are my options? Motu micro express? ...

Cool

Yamaha RS7000, EMU Command Stations, Akai MPCs, Elektron Monomachine and the Alesis MMT8 are usually the most recommended hardware sequencers around here. Of course there are also more "boutique", and considerably more expensive, sequencers, such as the Genoqs Octopus. As for DAW software you could ...

The KS series was improved over the K-station, it has a multimode filter, more waveforms and it's multitimbral.

Given that the KS series has double the polyphony and is multitimbral, it's bound to have more CPU power than the K-station, but whether it's underpowered or not I don't know

Sounds great! Lovely pad, deep bass

The oscillators on the Supernovas are more flexible than they appear; even though it only have saw and square/pulse waveforms, it has the "hardness" (Or was it softness?) parameter that is like an individual low pass filter for each oscillator, and each oscillator also have it's own slave oscillator...

Novation X-station 61 and Yamaha AN1X are both around 7.5kg.

Also worth noting the Yamaha CS1X and CS2X at just 5.7kg.

Wasn't the XS released in 2008? That version discussed in the article was never produced iirc.

If one could somehow make patch memory separate of pattern memory, that would be a nice addition too.

RS7000: Sequencing, pads, drums, sequences, any synth sounds I might need to fill out a track.
Sirius: Basses, leads, pads, drums
DX200: Basses, E-pianos, bells, leads, plucked string type sounds
CZ5000: Bells, leads... this synth needs further exploration...

Smooth indeed, great sounds. Very cool.

Wasn't there a limited edition of the indigo that had a black/red colour scheme rather than white/blue?

MEK+PER seems ideal if you want a PEK but is short on space. Although I think the PER has been discontinued?

I love my Sirius, but I believe the Polymorph is a step up in synthesis options? I'd love to try one!