Dave
Granted, the dual sequencer is great for most needs, and has it the balance control I was speaking of. However, Like you, there are times I need a laptop for reading notation of less played songs over SMF, and unfamiliar songs where the timing and notation can precisely be read from notation.

The other thing I noticed, is that all keyboards seem to screw up lyrics from time to time, due to the midi or incorrect reading by the KB. Wheras, my MidiIlustrator or Midi Notate will not.

If I can't find a plausable solution to readily controlling USB volume coming into the PA800, I will either slowly build working midi's for the PA800 sequencers, and forget the laptop, or carry my Ketron SD2 module, and run the laptop out of it.