Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

I'm in exactly the same situation at present.  I keep buying new gear 
in the vain hope that it will be just the thing I need to move me in 
the right direction but it just ends up being something else to 
tinker with and waste time.

I bought a DTXpress II recently for the same reasons as you.  
Programming drum parts was not really working and lacked the 
necessary feel for my type of music.  However, I just spend my time 
playing with the sounds rather than getting on with any actual 
recording.

I'm not sure what the answer is but it's reassuring to find that I'm 
not alone.