I don't think I'm knowledgable enough to answer your question to a great degree of accuracy but I can say that the S08 does not have an on-board sequencer that you can write to. It is read only and I'm not sure how it actually works.

It sounds like you would like to have a workstation but your don't neccessarily need a sampler.

Practically any keyboard with a midi out will generate music notes on the PC which is played "on" the synth. But you wanted to know about notes played in the Synth, so I'm wondering if you mean notes from the on-board sequencer.

Basically any multi-timbral synth with an on-board sequencer will give you your item number 1.

I don't know about item number 2. I know many boards allow you to create your own "patterns" or drum loops. I just don;t know which ones.

Quickly changing voices live - I like the Roland XP series and the RS series for this reason, but I'm sure others will work. In my experience it seems you would need a synth that allows you to set up user performances. You then before your gig set up a performance with say part 1 piano, part2 strings, part 3 organ, part 4 piano again. Then you play your song just tapping the "part up" button as you need the patch change. I've done this sucessfully with the XP50 and the RS9.

Most decent workstations with on-board sequencers are over a $1000. Have you considered a used board? I'm actually thinking of a used Roland XP80 which can probably do all those things you mentioned. Not sure about the drum patterns though.

Best wishes
Bob
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