AFAIK no. If the transport is not running (thanks for teaching me the proper name) the gate will not run (you can try with gatelab which is free). A1 can work both ways and yes, it detects the tempo but, if it is on auto mode, it runs constantly but when you press the key in the midi, it may or may not be in sync with the song.
If you disable the option to autorun in A1, it will need the transport to run so they only way I found to use the synth is to start the transport at the precise moment of the drum kick in order to be sync.
I would like to know if there is a way to "emulate" a transport play when you press a midi key and to stop when you release the key.
Thanks!