maybe this has been mentioned before, but is panning of separate parts possible? I didn't see it in the manual, but I thought I brought it up by mistake when I have been messing around. thanks

What sampler are you using?

I can only speak on the SP-404, and the SP-202 (so I assume I could logically lump the 303 in there as well...), but there is no dedicated panning function. You said you thought you stumbled across it while messing around, but assuming you're using a 404 I think you probably were using the c-canceler effect in which you can do some panning with effect knob one... It's not a true, dedicated pan knob though...

I'm not familiar enough with any of the other SPs, but I assume someone here can shed some light on them..

if you plan ahead a bit you can use a mixer to pan the sample as its being recorded. and the c. canceler fx works well as dr. tad winslow stated, but it does affect the sample in other ways as well.

on the 404 - no real panning - but there is FX#6 tremolo/pan. so you can throw stuff around between the L&R speakers to create some space.

if yr using the sp-505 (and i assume 606) you can pan hard L, hard R or centre by going into the wave properties and picking one of the three.

another thing is recording in stereo with only the R or L input connected, so the opposite channel has no choice but to be silent.

NO CHOICE!!!

^ This is genius.

It's primitive and is a really hard pan but it's something.
I just tired it.

I guess it makes it easier too if you have 2 SPs or a tape machine.