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

I bought a new A4000 when they first came out. I also have an A5000 now.

The navigation is not twisted or wrong - just different. In fact its quite easy 
to find what you want (without already knowing or consulting the manual) but you 
do need to think a bit differently. It is still a logical interface just using a 
'different' logic. The only real gripe about it is the unbelievebly slow loading 
(and yes it is heavy - too heavy for live stuff). The disk operations could be 
better. If you burned the A5000 on account of the load times rather than the 
interface I'd be with you all the way.

The effects are pretty good and like most instruments are really only as useful 
as you make them. I think that you'd be pleasantly surprised if bothered to take 
the time to work with it a while. As an alternative you might find an RS7000 
more to your liking.

As for Korg, they have their own logic for navigation, and my triton extreme 
(with MOSS) can make some pretty healthy sounds of its own - very easy to edit 
and play around with. I would consider a triton rack if the price was right. 
<but I've always felt korg keyboards feel a bit heavy>

If you really want an odd interface I would point at the ASR10. Yes its old [and 
I don't use it much] but I still get lost trying to find things that I've used 
before. I'm not sure that you'll find the ASR-X all together user friendly. 
Again its just a different logic (but one that I find less easy to remember).

To be honest, if I put my S5000 (fully expanded) against my E4XT Ultra (fully 
expanded other than no ADAT card - there are only 3 option slots after all) I 
would be hard pressed to choose one above the other even though the EMU is 
easier to navigate than the AKAI. There are numerous points of comparison but 
none that really kill the other. Perhaps the quality of the output is more 
significant than the user interface, and they are both very useful for different 
things. 


This is my testimonial: if I had to sell all of my equipment (and the list is 
long) the last thing I'd sell would be my ex5 - even with all its limitations. 


However, each to their own. I know that instant gratification means a lot...






________________________________
From: James Ulibarri <jamesulibarri@...>
To: xl7@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sat, January 8, 2011 9:39:21 AM
Subject: Re: [xl7] PX-7 with A5000

   
I respect your opinion.  True I should give it more time.  But I am the kind 
that just knows if I am gonna like it or not, or I should say keep it, actually. 

I go through gear faster than most people change their Underoos.  I used to be a 
lot worse when I had mad casheesh.  Those days are gone.  

And so are my choices of hardware samplers these days.   If it's not stupid easy 
than I usually just nuke it.  Not to say that I can't handle it, but it slows a 
person down.  And the A5000 is a real boat anchor.   They sure don't tell you 
that the sine wave LFO is only available on the Program LFO, not at the sample 
level.   Come on.  Why?   The navigation is twisted and wrong.  Korg and Yamaha 
have never been friends of mine.  I'll take Emu and legacy Roland stuff any day 
over those guys.   After this ASR-X, I think I'm done. (besides more effects and 
filters).  I think it will fit the bill for old school Berlin/Detroit inspired 
minimal with what I have.