Message
New OS and E-Loader Wishlist?
2001-11-26 by erik_magrini@Baxter.com
Here's just a few ideas for things I think would be cool if Emu could implement somehow, although I understand that by and large most likely they won't happen (OS updates cost money to make) . I think most of them are fairly reasonable, and if any of them are already a feature and I just missed that part in the manual, let me know! ;) Feel free to add your own comments and ideas, and by no means does this mean I don't think my XL-7 is one of the best machines out today!
XL/MP Wishlist
Tempo increments in finer resolution than whole numbers. For example 136.4, versus just 136. It would make us DJs lives a lot easier when syncing manually.
If you select TEMPO for your LFO or envelope rates, it would be nice if only the appropriate choices were shown (1/8, 1/4t, 4/1, etc). That way you wouldn't have to do so much scrolling through Hz values to get the desired value. Vice versa for the TIME settings as well..
Scrolling through the channels while in Preset mode updates the correct track in Pattern mode. I know that's not how the Emu gear works right now, but it would be cool if it was global or MIDI menu setting (Basic versus Advanced?) where you could switch the modes. ;I would bet that > 95% of all XL/MP users keep it simple and only use the default track assignments anyway (each track controls the same numbered MIDI channel).
The ability to create your own drum kit Presets with the included waveforms (on a pad by pad basis). Easy enough to understand.
An initialize Pattern menu item.
Loading of user samples via the USB port. Yeah, this one is unrealistic, but it would be nice! ;I know a lot of people who would get one in a second if this was possible. Most are on the mc505 list too :) If Emu only knew how many people I've talked into buying a Command Station already, I should work on commission!
Making the Controller knobs not transmit MIDI data to the selected Preset until they've reached their current setting. Example, if you save Preset with the filter knob at the 3:00 position, it shouldn't affect the sound (become active) until you turn the knob past that setting. This is a biggie for smoother, more intuitive live use.
Saving a Preset to a new location updates the associated track in Pattern mode. So if Track 3 of a Pattern you're creating uses Preset 008 Bank 2, and you save it as a new Preset to Preset 106 Bank 1, you don't need to manually go back and update the the track with the newer location. I believe Aaron said this was coming in the next OS, not sure though\u2026
Volume and Pan knobs show saved values like they do in Quick Edit mode. Having them flash with Note On info is great, but it would be cool if you could see where they were set and saved for each Pattern too somehow. Maybe make them flash with Note On info when the LCD is set to Tempo, but when you set it to Measure or press EDIT, it shows the default values for each knob by lighting up similiar to Quick Edit mode?
E-Loader Wishlist
The ability to save and load Presets the same way Patterns are handled. I'm sure this is on the horizon though.
A way to save not only Presets and Patterns seperately, but also in a format together. That way you could post patterns for others to hear that included your own Presets too. Not to sure if this is possible, but it would be cool for those of us who refuse to even touch factory Presets.
A version that doesn't require a reboot of your PC to use E-Loader more than once.
rEalm
(who is really a happy XL-7 owner)