AD works very well with Step Sequencer (sans drum map).  One thing I recommend to do to get around that issue is to set up a "master" blank pattern with all the triggers in it so you have access to all the sounds in the sequencer.  Took about 15 minutes to set up but it has already saved 10 times that on the first song.

I have been using the step sequencer with drums sounds out of my Motif XS but AD drums sound so real so if I could do the same process as with my keyboard AD will be my new way of programming drums

Try this: Top right corner in AD there is an Audio/Midi set up button -> Look for your keyboard or midi device under active midi inputs -> select it and test it. If you have no sound and your keyboard is set for general midi: click the ? menu at the top right -> map window -> top left under preset drum maps select general midi.
 
Rocky

dwardzala,
 
if it's not asking too much, could you give the step-by-step how to set up a "master blank pattern" for AD?
 
Thank you advance!

Atsuko
dwardzala,
 
if it's not asking too much, could you give the step-by-step how to set up a "master blank pattern" for AD?
 
Thank you advance!

Step 1: Insert an instanc of AD.  Make sure to check "midi source", "track folder"
Step 2: select your midi source track and then go to "view" and step sequencer.  This will open up the step sequencer with just note numbers
Step 3: replace note names with respective kit piece. Example: change "C3" to "kick"
Step 4: go to the "?" in AD and choose "Open keymap" to see what notes the other parts of kit are mapped to
Step 5: Add rows to step sequencer by hitting "+" in step sequencer interface. 
Step 6: Export as track template.  Although i would go farther by setting up commonly repeated setup items like assigning to individual tracks and buses  and saving as a project template first

Thanks for taking care of that dub - exactly what I did.  I have used my 1 measure step sequencer template to build a lot of drum patterns.

I don't use the step sequencer that much for AD, but I find it handy to have this sort of thing already done since doing it whene you are about to create just kind of ruins the mood. The great thing about it is once you do it once, it's done.  I'm still tweaking my AD master template.  Trying to decide whether to use the bus system within AD.

Hi, dubdisciple,
 
thanks again for the kind help.

dubdisciple
I don't use the step sequencer that much for AD, but I find it handy to have this sort of thing already done since doing it whene you are about to create just kind of ruins the mood. The great thing about it is once you do it once, it's done.  I'm still tweaking my AD master template.  Trying to decide whether to use the bus system within AD.

I went ahead and sent everything but the master out to Sonar - I used the mixer in AD to turn down the levels (you will peg your meters in sonar if you don't).  It gives me a couple of choices in how I want to mix/apply effects.  Still deciding if its best to get levels in AD and apply effects in Sonar or just do it all in Sonar, but for now I will probably do it all in Sonar.

dubdisciple

Atsuko
dwardzala,
 
if it's not asking too much, could you give the step-by-step how to set up a "master blank pattern" for AD?
 
Thank you advance!

Step 1: Insert an instanc of AD.  Make sure to check "midi source", "track folder"
Step 2: select your midi source track and then go to "view" and step sequencer.  This will open up the step sequencer with just note numbers
Step 3: replace note names with respective kit piece. Example: change "C3" to "kick"
Step 4: go to the "?" in AD and choose "Open keymap" to see what notes the other parts of kit are mapped to
Step 5: Add rows to step sequencer by hitting "+" in step sequencer interface. 
Step 6: Export as track template.  Although i would go farther by setting up commonly repeated setup items like assigning to individual tracks and buses  and saving as a project template first

In following your steps AD is not loading a drum kit is that suppose to happen?