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

total rookie questions! i have used synths but never a sound 
module,much less a "command station" i hear this box referred 
to as a synth,so is it? i mean can you hook up a midi keyboard 
and play chords and melodies and stuff? if so, how are the 
sound banks organized. i spent some enjoyable time fooling 
with the built in patterns at the store,but the sounds seemed to 
be rather random as drumkit follows pad follows sfx.
am i missing the point or is this a "groovebox" only?