Emu XL-7 & MP-7 User's Group

Hi ppl, I'm a newbie here, so please forgive the question.

I've tried a Yamaha QY700 and RM1X for live work and they both are 
not up to what I want to do.

All I'm after is a RELIABLE sequencer which will allow me to change 
patterns, mute tracks and assign knobs to different parameters 
(internal and external) for live funky techno.

Does the MP/XL cut the mustard???
What are its quirks. Are there workarounds for these?
Will it stand up to live work?

I read in 'Sound on sound' that the knobs and assignable buttons are 
generic rather than pattern specific. Is this a problem? Also does 
the software it comes with work on Mac OSX.2.x???

Info very much appreciated,
Cheers y'all.
Dave K.