folks, what we have here is a SERIOUS, well implemented addition.

it is a step sequencer/arpeggiator. you can create single pad rhythms w/ your drum pads, complete with velocity switching and shift timing, or arpeggiated melodies via INST pgms. you can either control tune via TUNE (16-levels style) or PAD (by selecting which INST pad [read: note] plays)

it makes 6 pad grid edit useful again. til now, i just used midi grid edit for everything. now, i will have to incorporate 6 pad grid edit.

the most interesting part - and the part i don't yet fully understand - is how tightly integrated it is with the sequencer. if you set a pad pattern on a pad and then HIT that pad while recording, it's not just that pad that is recorded - it's the whole pattern. that means that every event in your pad pattern/arpeggiator/step sequencer is recorded into the sequencer and can be edited separately, without changing the original pattern.

PATTERN files are recorded separately. you have the ability to save 99 patterns, so we'll be able to create and share VAST banks of patterns. i may be mistaken, but it appear that pattern banks are per project, not per PROGRAM. ie you have 99 to share across all pgms.

this is a no nonsense, powerful function that i must admit leaves me floundering in the possibilities. i'll continue to look at it as i have time this evening (dem primaries tomorrow, and i gotta drive home so i can vote for mr obama early tomorrow morning)

i am very impressed, and a little bit scared by the possibilities here. i have a couple qualms, but i think they are due to my inexperience with PAD PATTERN.

but to give a very brief comparision:

1st we only had step edit
then we had grid edit
then we had 6 pad grid edit
then AUDIO tracks
then we had MIDI grid edit
now we have a step sequencer.

hell, what other types of logical sequencing are there...truly inspirational work here.