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

Hi guys, new here, just picked up an xl7 about a month ago, been 
learning a lot and enjoying it until recently and I hope someone can 
help me out.

The volume fluctuates without reason. I can take an empty sequence, 
set it to 1 bar, play a straight kick drum all at same velocity and 
when i play it back the volume is all over the place, like an lfo is 
modulating it. no midi devices are connecting. its just running 
straight into the mixer and out the speakers, i've checked the cables, 
mixer, interface, everything.

it hasn't always done this, i feel like i've checked every possible 
reason other than a hardware malfunction. please tell me thats not it.

thanks for reading.