Totally agree, I've expressed the desire to have a self-sufficient XITE-1 quite often... Even if we had to avoid using certain modules / devices, there could be an expansion card with some sort of flash memory that would hold a few pre-built projects, enabling one to take the XITE out without a computer. Do routing, synths, some effects, all pre-patched, no need for screens.
I have an Axoloti, and I really like it... The modules don't sound very musical to me, more like mathmatical stuff, but I believe that will change in time, and I've managed to make some nice sounding synths and even a step-slicer with filter and modulation. I have assembled the board on a VHS cassete case, and I take it out every week to jam, sometimes playing the synths, others just effecting the other stuff. Same with the Nord Modular, I program it, sounds, MIDI stuff, etc, then take it out and play.
I do wish Scope was like that. It sounds better, has much more possibilities...
Recently, I have been using an iPad for MIDI sequencing, sampling and the occasional synth plugin. Works a charm, super light too. I keep thinking I could get a cheap Windows tablet hybrid (which still has better software imho) just to host the XITE, doing bare minimum, but how would I connect it? The only way I know is to use Express Card, which is still available only on a few laptops, or thunderbolt, which I have never seen on a tablet / hybrid.
The most amazing thing is that both the Nord and Axoloti are way underpowered in terms of processing, but since they don't require a laptop to work, they're actually more capable. As stupid as this may seem, the best thing i could see for the XITE-1 in the future is iPad compatibility
I know most of us see the XITE-1 as a studio thing, but I think it could just kill everything else live.
