1. Use the Looper capability. You can create as many different loops as you want, mute them, then unmute as desired. The loops are not stored, you have to re-record each time time layout is launched.
2. The simple panning in the motion engine was an example. The motions can be as complex as desired, and they are stored with the layout. And instead of the hack that makes the motion engine work, you can now use the "beat" knob of Ableton Link to drive the engine.