It depends. If you actually want to play back over a thousand samples as the same time then there might be a problem... However it sounds a bit like you just want to have them all ready at any moment, and only play a selection of those samples at a time.
Yes, that's correct.
The most easy way to save CPU here is to instantiate the buffers and load the samples but not connect them to the dac. Without a dac connection they should not take cpu. You would then connect the buffer(s) you want to play when you need them and after you are done with a sample "unchuck" the corresponding buffer from the dac using "my_buf =< dac;".
Thanks, this sounds reasonable.
This will save you a lot of CPU and the only cost will be in memory (aside of course from loading the samples initially, with that amount of samples that might still be a lengthy process).
That makes sense. I'm ok with an initial loading lag and the samples will always fit in memory so this'll be ok.
Definitely does and I certainly appreciate the quick and thorough response!