hi hellboy,
polyphony was only really a problem when i was playing in full piano mode, but only with a relatively dense arranger style...the rest of the time it was not an issue (korg have some of the best note allocation algorothms going).
afaik drum loops can be sampled and used in styles and midis, but be aware that these are saved as user sounds, and if you also tweak effects to go with them, these cannot be accessed via external midi devices...they need to be edited and then saved within the PA sequencer.only having 2 insert efx for midi/style and 2 for live keyboard was an issue, particularly if you wanted some overdrive on your guitars, but wanted some, say, Lo-FI on a keyboard track, you couldnt do it and have reverb/chorus as well..its just the way korg set up the efx chain in the PA (in the synth keyboards its not a problem).the way its set up you have efx A+B for arranger/midi tracks and C+D for live keyboard tracks, and either set cannot be mixed.
on the crossfader, to be honest i never found the use for it...the access time for midis and mp3's was so quick between songs it was not required..BUT for someone who was doing more of a DJ type of gig, it would be very useful...be aware though that mp3's can only be used on the sequencer 1 side, not both, probably not an issue for you, but deserves mentioning..another thing that might interest you, as you seem to be wanting to use the sampler more than i did, it is quite slow at loading, too slow imo, for live gigging...plus the MAX memory is 32mb (it only has 2 16mb hardware slots...PLUS you usually have to unload samples before loading new ones, ie you cant load indiviual samples, say like the sd1, and have them all resident...i believe on the PA there is a way to compile your samples into a set so that you can have a few available at the same time, but this is still restricted by the 32mb...i remember buying the Piano Assault from Irish Acts, which took up all the ram, one instrument!!!i am thinking now with my sd of running sampling from my laptop, because i am thinking of buying the Ivory VSTi..if you do buy the PA you can have my Piano Assault if you want it (i will give it to you as i no longer will use it)..and i think its still hiding somehwere on my data drive...
hope that helps and i haven't rambled too much!!!
cheers
dennis

[This message has been edited by miden (edited 06-16-2007).]

[This message has been edited by miden (edited 06-16-2007).]