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

OK, there is a couple of ways to implement a multi-timbral mode 
in a synth, and I am wondering what the XL-7 does.

The first (and my desired) way is to have an independent edit 
buffer for each instrument (channel, or part in some 
terminology).  This lets you do patch edits on the fly, while 
sequencing and have those edits remain in effect until you 
change patches on an instrument.

The second way is to have a single instrument edit buffer.  In this 
approach any changes made to a patch are lost when you switch 
to a second instrument to edit.

I am concerned that the XL-7 has method two - a common edit 
buffer for all channels.  The reason for the concern is that the 
Audity 2K module I have (which has the 2.01 firmware, which 
makes it pretty much in line with the rest of the P2K family) 
impliments method two, the shared edit buffer.

Can anyone answer this?

Thanks in advance,

drK