Software recommendations for detailed micostep editing with a smooth workflow.

[Bio~Rhythm]

I'm wanting to design generally percussive based rhythms ( e.g., designing progressive "loops"). I'm looking for some software ( VST or program) or hardware ( I'd prefer standalone. i.e., not just a hardware controller for software) that is as close as possible to having the following features.

1. Quality sounds to choose from and edit. They could either be synth-based &\or sample-based.

2. A step-like layout (e.g., 32 looping steps, etc) where I can visually see any automation that changes the sound. For example, if I automate the decay on step X (e.g., a percussive sound), I would like to select step X and be able to see any automation related to that step.

That's about it. I'm more interested in a smooth workflow so that I can quickly ( without excessive menu diving) edit a multitude of parameters \ record automation for each step ( i.e., sound assigned to that step) that also includes visual feedback (e.g., moving dial \ sliders, etc) so I can keep track of the automation.

I understand I could try and do something like this using a DAW, however, the amount of automation I may want to do for each sound ( clip \ step, etc), the daw approach will soon start to be messy.