I've got a 12step mainly through the expander and through a midi synth module (miditech piano box) With a bit of mucking about and programming chords etc into different patches, I've managed to get some decent sounds out of it. I use it to fill in gaps in my 70's cover band that are left because of our lack of keyboard player for Deep Purple tunes and that. Cracking bit of kit when its given a bit of time!
It is really simple to use it through a PC for recording etc, just plugs straight in and loads of downloadable patches etc. I'm not sure about Ipad connection, but would think nowadays all the interfaces and aps you would need would be available.
Shame you're in Southampton as I'd let you have a shot of it, cause I was really unsure how to set it up, how it would sound and how it would work with the midi synth and the PC.