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

I am considering getting the MP-7. I have several questions 
concerning various functions.

>1.  After recording a pattern consisting of several tracks.  Are you 
>able to use the trigger buttons to trigger that pattern in much the 
>same way as a sampler could trigger a sample loop.  For instance, 
>continously pressing the button in trigger mode would retrigger the 
>pattern from beat one.

The trigger are latch triggers - they'll play the part of the track 
that is recorded to play at that beat.

>2.  How are the effects?  I welcome subjective opinions.

It is the standard 'master' style emu effects section, the same as 
the emu and ultraEmu (my history knowledge only goes back that 
far :>) - one reverb, one delay. Clean sounding but sparse. (I think 
this is a good thing, since unit with good effects usually lack a 
little in the actual sound of the samples, such as the Korg keyboards)

If you want an effect drenched sound, you'll want to use the sends. 
I've set up mine as a pair of mono sends (Note to Emu - 4 mono sends 
are >much< more useful than 2 stereo ones)

3.  How do you save data?  Midi dump, to a PC harddrive via the host 
connection, or both?

The host connnection is not functional yet, though it shows up on the 
pc - I assume emu hasn't released the drivers for it, AFAIK. I'm 
definitely waiting for it. The emu loader program is ugly, but mostly 
functional. There is definitely room for improvement. Transfering 
from a sequencer is quite a PITA at this point for me, but I have 
managed it.

Instruction, and information about the process and format of the midi 
file is badly needed - I couldn't find anything on the original cd.

4.  Is the host connection the same as a network card connection?

I'm not sure what you mean. It's a USB port. I would be very 
surprised if it was used for anything more than a midi port. 

5.  Does ver 1.1 fix the pattern-flow bug? 

Yes. There are a number of other bugs and wiggeties I have found in 
the last week of playing with it, but nothing that would stop a show, 
or probably be noticed by anyone but me, for that matter. I'll keep 
the group informed, as I keep adding tools to my rig, and writing.

>I am sure that I will have more questions to follow.  I don't live 
>near a music store (Monterey)that has them in stock so I have not 
had 
>the opportunity to demo one.  The nearest store is Guitar Center in 
>San Jose and they did not have any demo units out.  Thanks for your 
>help.

Gelb music in Redwood city has a XL-7 and an MP-7. AFAIK they both 
have the pattern flow bug OS, but you can try them out. Or you could 
come by my place - I'm in Palo Alto.

sserendipity