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

--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, "u_ri_p_ui" <u_ri_p_ui@y...> wrote:
> The effects settings are not very flexible. Is bpm-synced
> cross-delay possible there? 

Yes. Turn the delay time below zero (counter-clockwise) to get note durations. Only the B Effect has BPM sync, IIRC.

> The two effect processors are too few, so
> I've had to use the chorus setting in the preset menu.

That's what I do. I don't think I've ever even used the chorus in the FX. Plenty of polyphony to burn.

Here's a tip: route an LFO (or looping envelope) to Chorus Depth to add some additional animation to the sound (this is similar to what an actual chorus effect does). And the "Delay" parameter in the layer is equivalent to "pre-delay" on a chorus.

> But then, the sequencing. A pattern can be max. 32 bars long, right?
> Hmm, what about filter sweeps that are at least 64 bars long? How
> should I start seuquencing a whole track? Meaning intro, fill-in,
> verse, break, outro etc.? How are complex melodies that are longer
> than 32 bars possible? How do _you_ do it?

Song mode. Make your sections as individual patterns, arrange them in order using song mode, and overdub controllers as needed.

> Or should I use a PC sequencer?

I don't think using a PC sequencer means the ComStat sequencer is a waste at all. I prefer the xx7 for composition, experimentation (muting, x-mixing, dropping arps), drum programming, and (of course) live use. It's not a bad idea to have a computer sequencer as well for archiving and finalizing songs - computer sequencers are really just glorified tape recorders, in my opinion, as opposed to a well-designed hardware sequencer, which is more like a musical instrument.