>Menu diving on a 20x2 char display is no fun at all.
I own Elektron Analog 4 and it's extremely fun to use and make quick loops. You may need to organize your sounds a bit at first, but when you have a reasonable "palette", editing is easy. The UI is extremely well-organized when it comes to common operations. If I needed to make a professional-sounding track in hurry, that's probably what I would use.
Totally with you there. Menu diving on a 20x2 char display is no fun at all.
> Any thoughts on how to dip my toes in the water with hardware to see if that's a better fit?
It wouldn't get you a full setup, but a keystep + a behringer neutron wouldn't break the bank, and looks like a lot of fun. (I don't have a neutron. Maybe on my list once I sell a couple pieces of equipment that I don't use.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfD8RmALHwQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJTl_ntNTgo