Thoughts on rack-based setups

I've been mulling over some options, limited due to funds but options nonetheless. I'm in a casual band in the pre-gigging stage and all my sounds are softsynths currently. I'm leery about something going wrong with my (older) macbook and would like a hardware backup...I'd also like to take some of the burden from it as I have to watch out which synths/patches I pick due to cpu and memory issues. In other words, I'll probably be going softsynths AND hardware.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure something along the lines of the motif will work for me after playing a friend's. I'm considering a rack-based motif es instead of the keyboard, but I'm wondering about the logistics. I've got a laptop, mixer and two controllers currently. The laptop, mixer, usb hub and interface sit on a custom shelf I made that sits on an x-stand. If I get a keyboard, I'd just replace a controller. With a rack unit, I'll need a place to put it. I've seen stands like the standtastic that allow rack ears to be added. Alternatively, I could get a 6 (or so) space rack case that fits the module and mixer (and I could tuck in the usb stuff) and sit it on the x-stand, then the laptop could sit on top of that (as long as I could secure everything well enough). Or I suppose the rack case could just sit on the ground as I just change patches between songs on the laptop...as an added consideration I would not mind condensing down a bit as some of the places we play might be dives---er, on the small side

If I did go with a module instead of a keyboard, I will likely upgrade one of my controllers. If I do so, will the sliders/knobs work well with something like the motif es rack? I realize this is a gear-specific question....I'd like to specifically be able to adjust levels within zones/splits/combis (whatever each company calls them), and also maybe some basics like cutoff and resonance.

Well, a rambling post, but I'm just wondering what you guys with experience with rack gear use. I can definitely see the appeal of having two hardware keyboards and just plugging in and you are set....that might be what I work toward.

Depends on how involved you want to be:

Playing with a laptop, controller, rack unit and mixer sounds too complicated for my tastes. My personal bugaboo is time spent before you even go to rehearsal. I hate organizing presets. To have to do so on three or four pieces of equipment would drive me nuts. Then you have to remember setup issues once you hit the stage: that's a hellalotta cables and power supplies and if you forget to bring just one, you're screwed.

I like the one instrument and an amp approach. And maybe a pedal board. If you're doing this for fun, why make a chore out of it?

Yeah, I'm with you...I've tried to minimize hassle with my current rig, everything is attached to my "board" (power supplies, usb cables, audio cables for my powered monitors) so it's not too bad to setup. I figured I could transfer all that stuff to a rack and have the cables coiled and ready to connect from the rack.

I hadn't really considered fully the hassle of programming the setups...right now it's super easy with Logic Mainstage, if I tweak a softsynth I don't need to save anything to a patch, it's just saved right there....not to mention layering/splits are done in there. I would prefer to go all hardware with two boards (I like having two) but $$-wise it can't happen right away.