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

Primary Task: With the E-Mu sequencer (Command Stations, P2500), to 
record data for pass through to external gear.

Secondary Task: To use a keyboard synth (eg, Halo) independently:
(1) as a controller sending data >> TO << the sequencer and 
(2) as a sound module receiving data >> FROM << the sequncer.

======================================================
SUMMARY:
 
Two key E-Mu features to understand and master:
 (1) Rechannelize
 (2) CHANNEL ASSIGN (channel and destination)

Also, midi routing is important. How are your midi ins and outs 
connected between the Halo and the XL-7?
 
======================================================
ROUTING:
 
I have used the following setups:
 
Controller (keyboard or midi sax)
to
E-Mu sequencer
to
external gear--sound mudule(s)
 
It sounds like you are doing something similar only the Halo is both 
your keyboard controller and your sound module.  Try  the following:
 
1. Set Halo to Local Control off.
--This should disconnect the Halo keyboard from the Halo sound 
module.
2. Send midi out of Halo to XL-7 midi in.
3. Send midi out of XL-7 to Halo midi in.
 
Make sure Halo is not merging midi in and sending it back out 
(dreaded midi feedback loop--ugggh!)

The Halo keys should not be playing the Halo synth engine, but the 
keystrokes should be going to the XL-7.

======================================================
MIDI MERGE [CS/P2500 MIDI button submenu]:

Assuming external sound module (eg, Halo synth portion) is receiving 
XL-7 data from MIDI PORT A:

Set MERGE MIDI IN TO OUT [CS/P2500] Out A: off.

The merge funtion will be handled by RECHANNELIZE. 

======================================================
RECHANNELIZE [CS/P2500 MIDI button submenu]:
 
Turn RECHANNELIZE INPUT To Track Dest: to always.

This will allow the track selected for recording on the E-Mu 
sequencer to play the incoming data on the same channel on the 
Halo/sound module.

======================================================
CREATE PATTERN TEMPLATE FOR RECORDING TO EXTERNAL GEAR:

1. Select pattern view.
2. Select an empty pattern
3. Press Edit Pattern.
4. Name pattern (eg: "16 Tracks 2 Halo" or "16 Tracks to Ext" 
or "All -> Halo")
5. Optional: Set pattern length and other pattern parameters
6. In the Event editor--for each track (at time 001.01.001)--insert 
some data (patch change, controller, etc.) such as controller #7 
v:127). When you save the pattern as a template, having data here 
will keep the channel assignments (see below) from changing to the 
system defaults.
7. Go to CHANNEL ASSIGN menu.
8. For each track set the destination to ext. For example:
T01 Channel 01A Dest. ext.
T02 Channel 02A Dest. ext.
. . .
T016 Channel 16A Dest. ext.

9. Save the pattern template to at least two empty locations: 1 or 
more to use and 1 to keep as a template.
10. Also, save the current set up as a multi with a name like: "All -
> Halo" or "16 Tracks -> Ext."

======================================================
TEST THE CS/P2500 SETUP:

1. In Pattern View, select 16 external track pattern template
2. Select Track 1 [T01] in the upper left corner of the display.
3. Play the keys.

Assuming the Halo (or other external sound module) is in Mutitimbral 
mode, the keys should play the Halo synth engine on channel 1 via 
the XL-7's rechannelize function.

4. Select Track 2 [T02]; play the keys.

They should play the Halo/external synth module on channel 2.

======================================================
RECORD A PATTERN ON THE XL-7 SEQUENCER ROUTED TO THE EXTERNAL GEAR:

Your Command Station/P2500 should now be set up to function as a 
stand alone hardware sequencer which: 
(1) records data from the keyboard (Halo in Local off mode) and
(2) sends the data to the synth module (Halo's sound module) based 
on the track/channel selected in the display.

======================================================
NOTES:

You can do a whole lot more, but these are the basics. 
Remember, each track can actually hold data on 16 channels.
To record using sounds in a CS/P2500 ROM, set the channel assign to 
internal.
To double the sound, set the channel assign to both.
Remember, your programmable knobs (controllers) can be set to: int, 
ext, both, seq. 
--If you want to record controller knob changes, use seq.  This will 
also send it to the Halo/external gear.
--If you want to play the knobs in realtime performance, but not 
record them into the sequencer, use int, ext, or both depending on 
your needs.
--Also, remember: programmable knob settings are saved with multis. 

Hope this helps. If I've ommitted anything or made any errors, 
please post and I will make corrections.
 
 --Steve
 

--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, "miltrezs_xl7" <miltrezs_xl7@y...> wrote:
> 
> Hi there. I am primarily just a musician who wants to do recording 
> of my material using this XL-7 I purchased a few months back. Can 
> some of you gurus out there give me a heads up on the way to get 
the 
> Multi-Setups correct so I can accomplish this. I am having trouble 
> with I guess the way I am turning Midi channels on and off and 
> whether they are local or not. Heres my setup:
> 
> EMU/Ensoniq HALO 
> * PHATT ROM installed
> * VINTAGE ROM installed
> * COMPOSER ROM installed
> 
> EMU XL7
> * BEAT GARDEN ROM installed
> 
> I understand how I select different sounds for different channels 
as 
> i use that consistently to quickly switch between patches during 
> performances. I just can't seem to get it straight on how to set 
the 
> XL-7 to record what I play on the HALO and also the tracks where I 
> would like the keys I play on the HALO to trigger the XL7 based 
> sounds as well. 
> 
> Any help would be appreciated greatly.