Hi John,
I don't consider myself a musician, so I'm guessing a singer, plus if you play guitar at the same time , you would need a style where parts wouldn't clash, so the way you use the pads, really works for you.
Isn't that the beauty of an arranger , it can be, just what we want, a full orchestra, or drums and bass.

Yes, pity I'm so far away, but we've always hot the Internet.
Sorry might have missed it, but do you actually create your own pads? If not, so simple.
I can't for the life of me record anything, I know something will work if I hear it, just can't seem to come up with it myself. So basically I used to do mine from style tracks be they onboard styles or conversions. If you've never tried it, give it a go, if you have isn't it great.