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

Hi list.

I'm a bit stimied lately.  I use the XL-7 in a non traditional way.  Here's what I do.  I make a 
beat (usually around 8 bars or so) and I make it into a song by putting in multiple 
instances of it and muting tracks.  I more or less just try to mix it up.  Over it I loop bass, 
synth and guitar using an Electrix Repeater.  Works like a charm!  I'm a one man band!

Lately though, I long for more structure like my good old days of pop bands.  I want to 
take what I've learned about looping and sequencing and apply it to a more typical song 
structure similar to the way Radiohead does this (See: Kid A)

However, I'm finding the XL-7 clumesy to work with and I'm almost wishing I'd scrap it's 
interface and create what I want using my Macintosh and Digital Performer.  Is this the way 
to go?  The only thing that stops me from doing it this way (using the xl-7 only as a sound 
source) is that I do like to take the show on the road from time to time and I don't want to 
start having to drag around a laptop for live shows.

Now, I know it's probably just a matter of me not being intimate with my tool (insert joke 
here)  Anyone out there want to help me get more intimate with my tool?  Links for -7 
tutorial sites would be welcome, or I'd even pay for a good video.

Thanks,

Mark