The monome is probably one of the most inspiring things you could ever get.
of course it depends on what type of music you do.
the "molar" VST plugin is just so much fun, its like a super chopper sampler you can control directly with the monome. you COULD do the same thing without a monome, but it is not the same thing. the interface seems so immediate.
i signed up in june 08 for 2 40h kits, finally got them in november one is finished and in use, i used some plastic to make the box i only had enough for 1
the soldering of the SMD diodes is not as hard as you might think. if you are worried about that and getting a kit its not bad. if you can solder and operate tools you will be fine
the non kit monomes have smaller buttons, nice and compact but i prefer the larger ones for my clumsy fingers
It is really fun controlling virus or other real synth rather than VST plugs like most monomers use (it seems the majority just have the monome and a computer, its better as "another piece of gear")
you will love it
