It appears the SP will see samples or it will see patterns but not both at the same time. Do I need to convert the pattern to a sample before I can play other samples over it? if so, how?

ok so you got your pattern. now click on the pattern select button. then hit record and hit the pad you wanna lay them on. you will hear your pattern and you can record samples over it. and if you wanna practice. hit record while in the recording of the pattern mode and it will blink this sets it up so you can practice first

Nope not working.

once you have recorded your pattern you can start it playing then turn off pattern select and have access to your pads to play over the top of it.

How many samples are running at the same time on your pattern?
If you reached max polyphony that could be the problem.
You can record your pattern as single stereo sample and than play mo samples over it.

No need to convert anything.

You can switch between sample padbanks and pattern padbanks by out the top of my head pressing 'Pattern Select' so it's unlit. If you've pressed REC so it's flashing, you can practice pressing pads to look for usable samples. Press record again (and possible change the quantize) and add those new samples.

You can both do this switch between pattern and sample padbanks when recording, but also when just playing patterns through pattern select (useful for live gigs).

Peace!