Layered samples and groups that stop a sound that was triggert, as
soon as the same sound or another sound of this group is played are
features that improve the sound a lot, as well as having the
possibility to tune, pan and have other features to manipulate the
individual samples.
Sure, just programming a sound is one thing, but a drummer could play
drum samplers by using good drum pads.
A friend is a very gifted jazz drummer. Without doubts it sounds much
better, if he plays a real drum kid with selected bass drum pedals,
snares, cymbals etc., then when playing even very good drum samplers
using very good drum pads. However, even if a noob like me programs
the drum tracks, it sounds better using a good drum sampler with layers
and groups and other features, than using a weak drum sampler. This has
nothing to do with two arms and two legs vs idiotic programming for 3
arms and 8 legs.
Those who don't own at least one good drum sampler could workaround at
least the hi-hat issue, when using a weak sampler, if the sampler cares
about note on and off events, IOW the note length, but this workaround
is only usable when programming, resp. using a keyboard and doesn't
work anymore, if drum pads are used, that trigger the sound. IOW at
least one group for even non-layered hi-hat sounds makes a big
different to carp that doesn't provide this feature, that is as old as
drum machines are. To claim that those drum features for a drum
sampler gain nothing and to get good drum recordings, recording real
drums played by a drummer should be required is ridiculous. Even if we
own good drums, good microphones and should have the ability to play
drums, there are still enough reasons when using a drum sampler makes
sense and then a feature like groups is absolutely essential.