Okay, I'm utterly stupid when it comes to drum sequencing and sampling, so indepth menus cramp my creativity. I admit that heartily. Basically, I need a very intuitive (and inexpensive) machine for live use, with the option of small synth lines. I want to be able to play guitar and sing while the beats are going, something easy to program, while doing the various transitions to different parts... I guess you call that programming a song. I was looking at the Korg ESX, but $500 is too much for me. How different is the ES-1? I figure a sampler is probably what I'm looking for, but I'm open to other suggestions and tips on products and also using the device. I guess I just don't want something with a huge learning curve, because I'm more interested in the songwriting than the process of understanding how it works, especially given that I have all these songs in need of percussion. Tap tempo would be a bonus.
Cheers.

If you get an ES, you'll wish automatically you'd saved the money for an ESX-1. Look on Ebay, save save save, etc. You'll be happy when you get that one.

Scott