Hey, Darrin! Well, you're doing about the same thing I am and it sounds like you're getting about the same results. If anybody's got anything that works better, I hope they post their settings!
As for #2, it seems to me that, in general, ET does a pretty good job paying attention to this forum and what their users want/need from their pedals. Hopefully, they'll pay attention here, too. This is something that I'd hope they could improve in future versions.
Have you tried the V3 beta? To my ears, it'is an all-around improvement, although like you, I still suffer from loss of attack with pitchflex. I don't think it's quite as noticable to non-musician's ears in a band setting, but, still, it's there, I'm aware of it, and it changes the feel of what I'm playing.
