Hi Ted,
The Easy Record feature, as I'm sure you know, is just that! Press a few buttons, play your song/tune, save it to SD and that's it! (Apart from maybe a few edits......)
However, this method only allows you to record RT1, RT2, and Left tracks, together with the Chords you play in the APC part and any Control changes which you may make, during the recording, such as Technichord, Panel Memory, Pitch Bend etc.
Having made your initial Easy Record sequence, if you're feeling ambitious, you can then use the Real Time Record facility, to add extra tracks to your existing sequence, such as counter melodies, or additional accompaniment tracks which, for one reason or another, are not within the Style used in the initial sequence. Most of the sequences which I record, use the Easy Record option to lay down the basic structure and then I add 'embelishments' in other tracks, using the Real Time Record facility. Using this method, it is possible to build up a full orchestration, even if the Style used is fairly basic.
Sometimes, I use the Real Time Record option when it is not possible or easy to construct a song, using the Composer Style as a 'Backing'. For example, if a song has brief time signature changes, or the song uses phrases which are greater than 16 measures in length. The Composer is limited to 16 measures in a Variation and you cannot have different time signatures within a single Composer. So, if I wish to record a song which is basically written in say 4/4 time signature, but there are occasional measures of 2/4 within the song, the way I get around this 'Composer Limitation' is to record the entire song using the Real Time Record method. Many of the songs in my latest 'Songs 4U' were constructed in this way, since 'ABBA' have a habit of 'throwing-in' odd 2/4 measures in an otherwise 4/4 time signature. Using this method, still allows me to play any of these songs 'Live' since the full sequencer is actually providing the accompaniment backing, instead of the Composer or a Built-In Style. Tracks RT1, RT2 and Left are left blank so that I can play along with the other recorded tracks, just as if they were a Composer Style.
One member of our Forum, Larry Gosmeyer, uses the Real Time Record method in all his recordings and it would be worthwhile downloading some of Larry's songs and looking at the way he produces his sequences. Sometime ago, Larry produced a very comprehensive Tutorial on how he approached making his recordings. I have a copy of the tutorial and with Larry's permission, I can forward it to you.
Hope this helps Ted
Cheers