Analogue-sequencer

>>Doesn't the "Main" Gate have to be activated  on that step in order
> for the Aux's "gate" to work....?<<

yes, but you're assuming that the "main" note in a polyphonic group is
always going to be the kick (or whatever). it isn't, necessarily.... 

if I record polyphonic data into a pattern, sometimes the "main" note
will be the kick, & sometimes it will be the snare... of course this
makes it harder to edit your drum patterns, but the assumption behind
the suggestion is that most of the editing is already done & you
simply want to consolidate the lines & make the finished parts fit in
fewer tracks.

d.