I use sequence pad with most of my music. On my Pa900 I have a button which is programed to mute Acc. 1 to 5 leaving Drums, Perc. and Bass.
I use finger cords with my left hand. When I turn off the Acc 1 –5 and add my left and right hand sounds it sounds good, but is less than.
Pad Strings, Horn, Finger Click, Bass Drum, and Latin pads are my favorites.

All 5 pads without the Acc. Sound full, it is not better than the original full styles, it is different. This difference creates variety in the style. When I listen to a band playing, especially when the vocal starts the band changes, the band eliminate some the instruments that are playing.

Using the String pad when playing a ballad adds a great deal to the style. Most of my pads do not cover the original set up. They are only for effect.

EX. When playing a shuffle adding a guitar shuffle pad lifts the style.

I spend 60% of my time creating STS that I want to use, and 40% on the pads. On the KMA the pads only played Hit they did not Sequence; I hated that. Time allowing I will record how I am working without Pads.

John C.