Yeah Go for the ES-1 - The old versions still about and dirt cheap too. Specially if you got the xbase for more trad sounds. The only issue is the single pair of outputs, but if you got a PC you can eq the samples before recording them. You can also play the samples via midi as well as with the internal sequencer - I do both at once for super control.

It's the best bit of kit you'll get for the cash - you'll never run out of sounds, it's got some pretty good mangling capabilities and with a bit of fiddling about you can even do melody/basslines with it.

I took mine into hospital when I broke my back and it got me through a pretty shite 3 weeks and came out with loads of ideas for new tunes.