Issues with SONAR X1 LE & SI-Drum Kit

G'day all,
 
I'm a n00b with sonar and this is my first post
 
I am running the Samson studio GT hardware (Monitors DAC & Microphone) package that ships with a copy of Sonar X1 LE. The hardware package is quite good quality and it suits my situation, needs and budget limitations.
 
The frustration is the sonar X1 LE software & SI-Drum Kit packaged with the Samson studio GT hardware. I was hoping to get my head round this software rather than buying some other alternative.
 
SI-Drum Kit:
I'm finding this Kit problematic and not at all intuitive, question is -  is there an alternative that's easier to edit loops? I've seen tutes on YouTube for session drummer 3, that looks much more intuitive to work with?
 
I can't find a step sequencer? I'm guessing it's not a part of the LE package. Is it possible to install the step sequencer in my current package (SONAR-LE) for use with the SI-Drum Kit? Or, Is there a better and easer Drum Kit I can use with Sonar LE that comes with a step sequencer that I can plugin?
 
Other issues:
On each channel the Input echo: On/Off which has a pre defined echo that I can't adjust, Adding vstplugins requires you to click on the "Input echo: on" to activate the plugin for that track but then you get an annoying delay when recording? It works ok if you lay the track down without any "echo:on" effect and then add it latter but I want to use an overdrive on a Guitar track when laying the track down - I guess I could patch in a hardware effects pedal.
 
I loaded Sonar X1 LE from the CD that came with Samson studio GT and perhaps I'm missing a patch or an  update but I don't see any update feature in the software or website?
 
Thanks in advance to anyone trying answer these questions
 
Regards to all