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

--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, "Matt Picone" <matman@m...> wrote: 
> I'm looking for a good sequencer to facilitate live jamming using my
> many synths.

I think live performance is where the XL, er, excels (sorry).

> I'd like to be able to lay down a loop (say 4 measures), play 
multiple
> layers on different outboard synths, then assign this pattern to a 
key
> or button. 

The XL-7 can drop in and out of record (grid or realtime) at any 
point without interrupting playback. This is one of its best 
features. As for the second part you could then assign the pattern to 
one of the triggers using the Direct Pattern Access feature (see 2.0 
manual addendum), which would enable you to queue the pattern from 
the front panel (using an external keyboard is something I've 
suggested but is currently not possible). You can erase tracks and 
save patterns on the fly too.

> Repeat the process several times and then change sections on
> the fly, adjusting layers as needed to create variations. 

Direct Pattern Access and muting. You can also force-switch to the 
queued pattern.

> Send midi clock to the
> guitar rig and other arp-synths and drum machines.

Two MIDI outs should improve timing on the external synths.
 
> The arp capabilities sound like a great plus. Even though they 
aren't
> polyphonic per se, it sounds like they can be stacked, right? Will 
they
> trigger external gear (arp out)?

They can be triggered by an external keyboard and/or play external 
gear. You only get one arp per channel though, so to stack them you'd 
have to play a note on multiple channels at the same time. There may 
be a workaround but I can't think of one at the moment.

And don't forget XMIX.

> Another interesting use will be to develop a control track to send 
CC
> messages to a few older units which sync to tap but not clock. 
Layers of
> CC messages on multiple channels.

Do-able, though you may find it easier to set this up on a software 
sequencer and then transfer it to the XL.

> Being able to save groups of patterns to be triggered by single 
notes on
> a keyboard would be nice too.

Each Multisetup saves a set of 16 pattern->trigger assignments, and 
these can be switched on the fly too (watch out for preset and 
effects changes though). External keyboard not possible as I've 
already mentioned.

You ask about the MPC in another post. The sampling is certainly 
nice, at least for drums, and the sequencer is solid (Roger Linn 
designed it), but there are still some areas where the XL is better, 
particularly for live performance: the MPC has no TR-909-style grid 
edit/record mode, no dedicated mute buttons, no arpeggiator, no RPS, 
and no equivalent to XMIX. In my opinion it makes more sense as a 
studio tool for people who don't like using software, and judging by 
the MPC-4000, which is basically a proprietary computer, Akai agrees 
with me. But then, I'm an MPC heretic, I think it's overrated and 
overpriced.