I guess this sums it up in a nutshell. Can't debate that point. Using the F functions only opens the window, it doesn't change the selected pattern, you still have to manually change them and in FL9, one click on the pattern in the playlist and it changes automatically.
Ok, i just had to check this out since i ran into this issue aswell. In FL9 you could conveniently use left/right cursor to go previous/next pattern when the stepsequencer window is focused. This still works but it wont make a reference to patterwrite mode in playlist, it will only do this by using the the patternselect function in the menubar (aside from the pattern/audio select dropmenu in the playlist editor. This could really use an update, either menubar or shortkey should update the currently selected pattern to write in playlist.
Altering notes and altering phrases are 2 entirely different things. You may only want 1 note changed to a flat in a composition. You wouldn't want the entire phrase tuned flat in a sample and the only way to do that is to micro chop the phrase - increasing your time and workflow. Basically, all of the tools that you use in your track playlist are geared towards 1 note manipulation and thats just about useless on a sampled phrase.
Ah, i get it, phrases, not chops. This is very personal again, many roads lead to rome
In fl10, there is one obvious choice here, newtone or pitcher. That's the most straightforward workflow, but i dont have it and you probably dont either.
Aside from that option its really a matter of cutting audio directly in the playlist and that's how i work now.
I drag the whole sample if not cut beforehand into the playlist. If a phrase has a part which needs tuning/tweaking i cut out the part, then rightclick on the colored bar (with the clip name on it) and select "make unique". From then on i have all the sampler settings for just that part i wanted to change. Actualy, in the whole process i dont even need to be anywhere else but the playlist. I dont run into this as much because i cut tracks for samples in soundforge before i use them but if i get an idea which implies altering the content of a phrase then this is the way to do it in FL10.
Still dac, I really recommend FL10, there are more pro's than cons in regards to workflow and fully automatic pdc is absolutly one of them. Heck, i even salute the option to finaly have a duplicate function(ctrl+b) to speed up workflow.