Audio looper workflow help request

sigjunk

Hi all, still kicking with my deluge from the first batch that went on sale. This instrument is an integral part of my sound now, but admit that I get lost in features and menus. I kind of stick with what I know and settle w/ the limitations. I am now getting focused on a live rig and need to better understand how to get the Deluge to do what I want.

simple setup: Deluge used in song mode to record audio clips from synths and samplers in mono using the Synthstrom foot pedal (button setup: Loop / Layer / Undo / Redo). I like to build a full song live without pressing stop / pause (continuous audio), so will start with the armed audio clip, record some loops, then maybe add a cv clip, then want to add some more audio loops and back and forth.

It seems like every time I stop looping, I have a hard time getting it back to record using the foot pedal. It just stops working or starts clicking into other tracks and never records. I try to add a new audio track / arm one in a different area, but nothing seems to work consistently.

Here are the specific questions:
1. Let's say I have some long tracks and I want to add a new loop to play on top of it, but at a different length. How do I do this?
2. How do I get my foot pedal back in sync after I stray to a non-audio track?
3. How can I get the recording to start instantly? (not waiting for the clip above to reach its end)
4. How do I end a loop early at a different length than the one preceding it as I am recording?

I imagine this is all basic stuff, but I've watched and recreated the videos on YT so many times, but just can't get it to be something I control rather than the Deluge controlling me. I've been using the Boss 505 as well and have been able to get to these functions pretty easy on that...maybe I am just trying to use the Deluge for something it isn't ready for yet?

Appreciate any help!