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

just a few words

> The patterns are good but I don't care about those, we all make 
> our own after all. So that doesn't count.
> The sounds in the MP7 native Rom are unusable. Have I found a 
> single, usable piano, strings or organ sound that behaves 
> normally? No. Only detuned, crappy distorted presets. 
> The drumkits and basses are okay, though.

When i would have to agree about tbe organ/piano thing.

> The interface and OS are good and responsive. The buttons are 
> great.

yep.

> However, the sequencer is the worst I've ever seen in a long 
> time. 
> As I said the other day, it lacks a basic UNDO function that is 
just too important to be left out.

What OS are you using? if you are not using 1.18 then start using it.
there is a revert to saved in 1.18.
> It lacks a BAR COPY/PASTE function which is the basic of any 
> sequencing work. Without it, if you got a wrong bar in a series of 
> 8, you have to redo all 8. The Erase switch is just too awkward to 
> be used in this context.

there is copy bar in the pattern menue.
.
> 
> The extensive synth programming functions interest no one 
> here.

Speak for yourself.  That is one of the best things about this box.

we want a big sound library engine with realtime controls 
> and easy but complete sequencing. Do not assume we all use 
> software sequencers; I don't, and I'm a professional. And do not 
> assume we are interested in modulating LFO2 with Velocity and 
> Aftertouch with whatsoever else and its cousin. Most of us don't 
> even haveTHE TIME to even access those menus, much less so 
> use them. A good amount of quick edit knobs is all we want and 
> use.

I use the cords all the time and could not make the music that i do 
with out them and i am also making records.
> 
> The sequencer is my biggest issue here. I mean, I've seen 
> sequencing engines since 1988, and I've seen them all, being a 
> dealer. This engine here would get serious kicks in the ass by 
> any Roland or Yamaha or Korg groovebox, even the smallest 
> ones. The mute buttons have a nice touch, but that's it.  Editing 
> the pattern is a joke; there is no serious editing function. 
>Again, if EMU engineers assumed we'd all use different sequencing 
> means they assumed wrongly. If I'd use an external sequencer, 
> why even implement a sequencer here? But if you do implement 
> it, then you have to FULLY implement it, or you aren't doing your 
> job properly. EXPECIALLY IN THIS PRICE RANGE.

I have to agree here waiting for things to get straightend out have 
taken more energy than i would like to admit.
> 
> EMU should have looked at the sequencing structure of a 
> Roland MC-505 or a Yamaha RM1X. I  have both, and I can tell 
> you that, although the waveforms and the quality of sound in the 
> Roland do suck, the sequencer is massive compared to this one 
> here, and the synthesis functions are all there, too. And the 
> Yamaha has a seriously powerful sequencer, too.

I owned a RM1x and it had a very good sequencer but it did not do 
some things that i love in the 7's.  Like real time quantise as well 
as i dont have to hit stop to do just about any thing to my patterns.
> 
> So my verdict is thumbs down, I'm sorry. I will get rid of this 
> machine ASAP and I don't think I'll be looking into other EMU 
> gear for a while. Not unless they go back to the drawing board 
> and re-design the OS from the bottom.

Well i felt that way for a little wile but i reolized that there is 
not a bettr box for what i do out there that i can see and i have 
looked.  The E-MU support it unmached and have been the main force 
keeping me a tru emu head.

Peace 

Mike