So I figured out what the deal is. My D4 is on firmware v1.01 and I guess Alesis very quickly fired out 3 updates way back when so the latest is v1.04. The update is done to Eprom and thus cannot be flashed via sysex, etc. The chip actually needs to be programmed. This update fixes some misc bugs, updates some MIDI stuff and changes the Trig Type item into Vcurve and adds the other params I mention above.
The eprom IC in question is a 27C512 chip and once programmed is an easy swap with the old one inside the box, no soldering needed. There is still a company that will do the programming for you on a new chip and send it to you for like $26 + shipping. They are called Route66 studios. To me, thats pretty outrageous pricing but they dont have much competition so good for them. A better way is to find someone to program it for you, its not difficult. A blank eprom is about $2-3 online and the v1.04 .bin file is on the webs if look far enough....or....
I also found a .pdf copy of the d4/dm5 SERVICE MANUAL (incl. schematics)which is a freaking goldmine of info for technogeeks and EE's interested in aftermarket software enhancements or product-line derivation strategies
. I would be happy to submit both the service manual and the v1.04 .bin file to Hellfire with the intent of hosting here on the module manual page for future owners to be able to find easily.
I also have a copy of the D4 Factory Drumset Reference Chart .pdf which is not easily found elsewhere that can become a resource for the D4 manual page here.