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

Will anyone recommends Echo MIA.
Yes, No, Why...... ???

Thanks
--- In xl7@y..., erik_magrini@B... wrote:
> Ok, a few things to clarify here:
> 
> - A sound card does not necceasarily have a MIDI port on it, in 
fact by 
> definition it doesn't.  The Sound Blaster series typically does, 
but most 
> 'pro' cards don't, you need to buy a separate MIDI box.  I 
personally 
> would never recommend a sound blaster card to anyone looking to do 
> anything serious musically, though there are certainly people out 
there 
> using them.  Might want to look into the MIDIMan Midisport series, 
> something like the 2x2 is only $70 tops, and a great way to get 
midi into 
> and out of the computer.  The 1x1 is even cheaper if money is an 
issue.
> 
> - No sound card will have a USB input, that should be part of your 
> motherbaord, and most computers built in the last few years have at 
least 
> two on the back already.  All you'll need is a USB cable to hook 
the XL-7 
> directly up to the computer.  Keep in mind though, that as of right 
now, 
> you can only use the USB functions to transfer Patterns from the XL-
7 to 
> E-Loader and back.  OS Updates and Presets must still be 
transferred via 
> MIDI.
> 
> - Be sure to go to the Emu website and get the latest version of 
the OS 
> (ver1.31) for your XL-7, as well as the newest version of E-
Loader.  Both 
> contain info on how to install and use them.  If you still need 
help, let 
> us know, we're always glad to help out.  Welcome aboard too!
> 
> rEalm
> 
> 
> 
> 
>   Just picked up the XL-7 last week, and wanted to see if someone 
could 
> point me in the right direction of a sound card that would be ideal 
for 
> using the MIDI in/outs, and also the E-Loader software. I'm fairly 
new to 
> the gear, but seem to be picking most of the learning stages up, 
and have 
> just lost myself in it so far. (which is good!) It also helps that 
one of 
> best friends has a few pieces of gear too, from which I can learn 
some 
> valuable info from.
> 
>   I was looking at the Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum with the front 
panel 
> mumbo jumbo, however it doesn't seem to have a USB input. Does 
anyone have 
> 
> any suggestions or feedback? thank you