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

Hey guys, I've been waiting and hoping that there was going to be a new OS 
release that would address the lack of Megamixing or RPS/RPPR facilities 
in the XX-7 before I began using the XL-7 in a 100% live situation (and 
not combined with turntables like I currently do).  However, with Summer 
NAMM come and gone (the most obvious place to announce a new OS), it seems 
I'm going to have to just figure out my own way around these limitations 
so that I can start preparing a live set once again (one of the main 
reasons I got the XL-7).  The biggest issue I have, is how to switch 
patterns live, so that I can keep some continuity between them, and still 
retain the flexibility to use which ever pattern fits the mood.  I could 
certainly program some 'filler' patterns, but that would require a hard 
and fast set list, something I want to avoid if possible.

I had originally hoped that the Beats functions on the trigger buttons 
would help me out here, but in use it's less than ideal and is generally 
more headaches than it's worth.  The riffs don't start on time with 
whatever is playing, so even after a few months of practice, I still can't 
trigger them accurately more than 50% of the time (and there's no second 
chances live!).  Plus, they're just not flexible enough to use most of the 
time, and they end up sounding like what they really are, someone else's 
music, not mine.

So then I attempted to create my own Presets with custom arps to address 
the problem, which by and large seemed to be the best solution, as long as 
I stuck to simple arps.  Downsides are that it still has the issue with 
trigger timing, and in order to get a full 16 triggers, you pretty much 
need to limit yourself to the 16A channels for writing, the 16B channels 
being reserved for your Trigger Presets.  Oh, and there's no easy way to 
switch trigger Presets mid-set, as I need to save and load the set ups via 
Multi's.

Next idea was to just use my Korg Er-1, and sync it to the XL-7 to add 
some fills and consistent drum sounds while switching patterns.  This so 
far is the easiest solution, as the two stay nicely in sync and I can 
select which ever pattern in the ER-1 I want with the volume down and then 
fade it in when  I need it.  Downsides are that I can only use drum sound 
for the most part, and by the 5th or 6th pattern change, it does sound a 
bit "samey" and dry compared to the XL-7 sound.  Oh yeah, and that adds 
one more bit of kit (not a huge issue) and another wallwart to accomidate.

So, I'm looking to you guys to chime in and let me know how you address 
these issues, or what you think Emu can do to improve the situation. 
Obviously, with in the current hardware limitations too, so it's got to be 
feasible.  I think Emu has done a great job at sorting out the bugs and 
getting our boxes studio ready, now lets see (and help) them focus on the 
live use aspect!

rEalm