Hi,
 
I know this is a bad question ... but let's try it ... anyone make suggestions? I know things are going the software way, but the using of it, is for nerds, and there are not enough folks that can help with these. I still can't get IK to help make sure the Midi channels are used with their software, and it's still blanked out, and they are playing stupid ... on such nice software.
 
Beginner
- Earlier likes -- Arp 2600/Odyssey -- Prophet 5 -- Jupiter 8 and the like
- Not afraid to play with knobs and sliders (gotta have those for toys!)
- Have no idea how/what to do with a sequencer, and no one can help
- Still can't even "extend" a sound ... forever, let's say! ... or have a sequence copy/duplicate itself other than a DAW ... which I do not want to use right now. Having other issues there! Needing help but Craig not interested!
- Not sure I need a Workstation right now, as I like to create sounds
 
The following 3 were the ones I was looking at ... for some reason, I seem to want 61 keys ... not the smaller stuff ... how weird is that?
 
Korg x50
Roland Juno (not the song bs edition!)
Roland Gaia SH-01 (really would rather have their previous one with 61 keys)
The Casio one - seen it dumped so fast that couldn't help think that it was crap! But might be good to learn with?

http://www.arturia.com/evolution/en/products/origin-keyboard/intro.html
 
or
 
http://www.arturia.com/evolution/en/products/minibrute/intro.html
 
or
 
http://www.arturia.com/evolution/en/products/ALE61/intro.html
 
Just a thought

Honestly you have to go and try some and see what you like in terms of sound and usability. For instance, personally I hate pitch+mod_wheel joysticks (and/or whatever you call the Roland style) and want the traditional 2 wheels instead.
 
And I have learned that different manufacturer's UI's are apparently catered to different types of people: Long ago I found out that some people actually found UI's I considered to be a convoluted disaster "intuitive" while labeling others, which I found quite logical, "confusing"; apparently we were wired differently. And if anything beyond the most basic functionality is confusing, you might not use it. And of course you shouldn't have to scratch your head or read the manual just to change patches, like some synths I've tried over the years...

I've got this on pre order:
 

 
They just looked fun.

If I was going to buy a hardware synth and the cash was available I would go here http://www.synthesizers.com/
 
If 61 note keyboard is a high priority, the King Korg looks like it could be worth adding to the shortlist
 
The Synths from Dave Smith Instruments look interesting. The Prophet 12 looks like it fits your requirements - But it pricey

I saw one of these at NAMM.  
 
http://www.moogmusic.com/products/minimoog-voyagers/minimoog-voyager-xl
 

May be of help.

Here's another source.  
 
http://www.analoguehaven.com/
 
 

Hi,
 
(Thx all for the answers)
 
A Dave Smith machine ... trust me, the minute I have some spare money one of those comes come!
 
I'm going to Apple Music on Thursday or Friday to piddle on keyboards ... not sure there is another place in Portland for it!
 
Drew, I'm very much a hands on person, and sometimes things click, and sometimes they don't. A whole bunch of synthesizers at Portland Music ... were duds to my hands and imagination ... and I could not even get one of them to play ... but then, their folks over there, were not exactly the best help ... they were ridiculously stupid about that room with the leyboards ... !
 
The hardest part of a lot of this synth bs and advertising, is all the stuff that you can do, that no one can find and do! And support that should go buy a dirty diaper!