The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

I'm real new to this stuff and I just purchased a used AN200 and have
played around with it only to find that it seems to have a problem
with the 1st step of the sequencer.  (I read that this is a known
issue, it seems to happen about half of the time, I've tried turning
off unison and it still happens, happens in song mode as well as far
as I can tell)  As a result I'm trying to decide if I should dump it
for a proper working "groove box" or add a sequencer to the chain
instead. I do like the sound and control over the tweaking that this
thing has.  (nothing to compare it to, but it really impressed me in
the first couple of hours.) 

My aim is to use it for live performance, and was hoping to keep the
gear somewhat simplified and minimal but I might have added something
to get more steps than 16 anyway.  My question is if anyone has any
recommendations on what they use to control the AN200 and if hardware
sequencer or a cheap laptop/software would be the way to go for a
relative novice?  If so, any advice?

Thanks in advance.