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

Hi All,

First off, I would like to thank anyone who reads this for their time.

My issue is that when I first powered up the xl-7, it was on OS 1.3 
or so (I forget the exact number), and it was locking up while 
playing sequences.  I had heard in many places that OS v. 2.0 solves 
most problems, so I decided to get online and update the OS.

It was a huge task to even get the OS to download correctly to the xl-
7 in the first place.  The download kept failing at random places 
during the transfer, and it took me until late at night to finally 
get the whole OS into the machine.  When it finally worked, E-loader 
said the download was successful, and I followed the instructions on 
the xl-7 screen, and it compressed the OS and rewrote the flash rom.

The major issues started as soon as I booted into 2.0.  It would 
crash on startup 4 out of 5 times I powered up the unit.  The few 
times I was able to boot all the way into the sequencer, it would be 
a matter of minutes into writing a sequence or messing with 
parameters that the xl-7 would freeze with no explanation, or report 
one error or another.  It seemed like a diff. error that caused the 
freeze each time.

So, I decided to try to download os 2 again, and that time around 
things looked more promising.  However, The unit is back to locking, 
giving me strange errors, and generally being an expensive paper-
weight.

With all of these factors, it seems like something is going wrong in 
the OS download process between the xl-7 and my PC, perhaps with the 
MIDI data transferring too fast or something.  This is a really 
strange, extremely frustrating issue that I would really love to 
resolve.  I have used this box before, and I can easily say it is one 
of the greatest pieces of gear ever.  The sounds are stellar, the 
sequencer is one of a kind, etc.  I have 6 days  more to report DOA 
to the person who sold it to me for a full refund, so I would love to 
get this fixed before then.  Here are the specs on everything I am 
using:

Windows XP
Roland UM-2 midi interface
E-Loader 1.1

I really don't know what else I should put on that list.  If anyone 
can help me it would be greatly appreciated, and thanks again for 
your time!

- Nick Maxwell (who desperately wants the XL-7 to show him some love!)

Hmm, definitely sounds like something is wrong with the machine, but I 
would try the OS install one more time just to be sure.  If it's saying 
the OS update went ok, then I don't think it's a transmission error, the 
checksum would probably catch that.  Also, because you bought this used 
and probably had it shipped, I would open it up real quick (very easy, 
only 8 screws on the bottom) and make sure all the cables and roms are 
seated fully.  If that doesn't work, then you may have to claim a DOA, or 
if it's still under warrenty send it to Emu for repairs.

I don't think it's something to do with the data being transferred too 
fast, or else you would get error messages during the install. 

rEalm




So, I decided to try to download os 2 again, and that time around 
things looked more promising.  However, The unit is back to locking, 
giving me strange errors, and generally being an expensive paper-
weight.

With all of these factors, it seems like something is going wrong in 
the OS download process between the xl-7 and my PC, perhaps with the 
MIDI data transferring too fast or something.  This is a really 
strange, extremely frustrating issue that I would really love to 
resolve.  I have used this box before, and I can easily say it is one 
of the greatest pieces of gear ever.  The sounds are stellar, the 
sequencer is one of a kind, etc.  I have 6 days  more to report DOA 
to the person who sold it to me for a full refund, so I would love to 
get this fixed before then.  Here are the specs on everything I am 
using:

Windows XP
Roland UM-2 midi interface
E-Loader 1.1

I really don't know what else I should put on that list.  If anyone 
can help me it would be greatly appreciated, and thanks again for 
your time!

- Nick Maxwell (who desperately wants the XL-7 to show him some love!)



To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
xl7-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

 

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ 







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sounds like either something's loose inside (open it up and check everything
is seated properly) or the RAM is bad.

If it still don't work properly after you've checked all the internal
connections, send it back.

Regards,

Stu

-----Original Message-----
From: polyalloyemu [mailto:maxwelln@...]
Sent: 03 September 2003 06:06
To: xl7@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [xl7] new xl-7 owner, major problems


Hi All,

First off, I would like to thank anyone who reads this for their time.

My issue is that when I first powered up the xl-7, it was on OS 1.3
or so (I forget the exact number), and it was locking up while
playing sequences.  I had heard in many places that OS v. 2.0 solves
most problems, so I decided to get online and update the OS.

It was a huge task to even get the OS to download correctly to the xl-
7 in the first place.  The download kept failing at random places
during the transfer, and it took me until late at night to finally
get the whole OS into the machine.  When it finally worked, E-loader
said the download was successful, and I followed the instructions on
the xl-7 screen, and it compressed the OS and rewrote the flash rom.

The major issues started as soon as I booted into 2.0.  It would
crash on startup 4 out of 5 times I powered up the unit.  The few
times I was able to boot all the way into the sequencer, it would be
a matter of minutes into writing a sequence or messing with
parameters that the xl-7 would freeze with no explanation, or report
one error or another.  It seemed like a diff. error that caused the
freeze each time.

So, I decided to try to download os 2 again, and that time around
things looked more promising.  However, The unit is back to locking,
giving me strange errors, and generally being an expensive paper-
weight.

With all of these factors, it seems like something is going wrong in
the OS download process between the xl-7 and my PC, perhaps with the
MIDI data transferring too fast or something.  This is a really
strange, extremely frustrating issue that I would really love to
resolve.  I have used this box before, and I can easily say it is one
of the greatest pieces of gear ever.  The sounds are stellar, the
sequencer is one of a kind, etc.  I have 6 days  more to report DOA
to the person who sold it to me for a full refund, so I would love to
get this fixed before then.  Here are the specs on everything I am
using:

Windows XP
Roland UM-2 midi interface
E-Loader 1.1

I really don't know what else I should put on that list.  If anyone
can help me it would be greatly appreciated, and thanks again for
your time!

- Nick Maxwell (who desperately wants the XL-7 to show him some love!)



To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
xl7-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

As realm says, either something isn't connected properly or you have a
faulty component.

Open it up and check everything's seated properly and if that don't work
then either claim a DOA or send it back to emu.

Regards,

Stu

-----Original Message-----
From: erik_magrini@... [mailto:erik_magrini@...]
Sent: 03 September 2003 13:11
To: xl7@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [xl7] new xl-7 owner, major problems


Hmm, definitely sounds like something is wrong with the machine, but I
would try the OS install one more time just to be sure.  If it's saying
the OS update went ok, then I don't think it's a transmission error, the
checksum would probably catch that.  Also, because you bought this used
and probably had it shipped, I would open it up real quick (very easy,
only 8 screws on the bottom) and make sure all the cables and roms are
seated fully.  If that doesn't work, then you may have to claim a DOA, or
if it's still under warrenty send it to Emu for repairs.

I don't think it's something to do with the data being transferred too
fast, or else you would get error messages during the install.

rEalm




So, I decided to try to download os 2 again, and that time around
things looked more promising.  However, The unit is back to locking,
giving me strange errors, and generally being an expensive paper-
weight.

With all of these factors, it seems like something is going wrong in
the OS download process between the xl-7 and my PC, perhaps with the
MIDI data transferring too fast or something.  This is a really
strange, extremely frustrating issue that I would really love to
resolve.  I have used this box before, and I can easily say it is one
of the greatest pieces of gear ever.  The sounds are stellar, the
sequencer is one of a kind, etc.  I have 6 days  more to report DOA
to the person who sold it to me for a full refund, so I would love to
get this fixed before then.  Here are the specs on everything I am
using:

Windows XP
Roland UM-2 midi interface
E-Loader 1.1

I really don't know what else I should put on that list.  If anyone
can help me it would be greatly appreciated, and thanks again for
your time!

- Nick Maxwell (who desperately wants the XL-7 to show him some love!)



To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
xl7-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
xl7-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Thanks for the prompt replies everyone :)  I will open the machine up 
when I have a spare moment later today and check out all the 
connections, then report back here with the results.

- Nick Maxwell

--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, erik_magrini@B... wrote:
> Hmm, definitely sounds like something is wrong with the machine, 
but I 
> would try the OS install one more time just to be sure.  If it's 
saying 
> the OS update went ok, then I don't think it's a transmission 
error, the 
> checksum would probably catch that.  Also, because you bought this 
used 
> and probably had it shipped, I would open it up real quick (very 
easy, 
> only 8 screws on the bottom) and make sure all the cables and roms 
are 
> seated fully.  If that doesn't work, then you may have to claim a 
DOA, or 
> if it's still under warrenty send it to Emu for repairs.
> 
> I don't think it's something to do with the data being transferred 
too 

> fast, or else you would get error messages during the install. 
> 
> rEalm

Also, check your power going to the machine too, I've seen my XL-7 act up 
when I played at venue's where the power was much less than ideal.  Yeah, 
it's a long shot, but something to consider.

rEalm





Thanks for the prompt replies everyone :)  I will open the machine up 
when I have a spare moment later today and check out all the 
connections, then report back here with the results.

- Nick Maxwell



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Well, I just opened the machine up and pressed all the connections 
and chips to make sure they were seated properly, and I think a 
couple of them were half in or something, because now the unit is 
working perfectly!  I am hoping this is not going to be a recurring 
kind of thing.  OS 2.0 seems very stable, as I just played with this 
thing for like 15 min. with nary a crash.  Anyhoo, I will knock on 
wood about this one and count myself lucky for the moment, barring 
any major issues in the future.  For now I am going ot content myself 
with thinking that everything is fixed :)  Does anyone have any ideas 
on keeping the connections tight within the machine?  buying new 
cables, etc?  I would love to hear any solutions.

Thanks for all the help again, everyone.  It seems (at least for now)
it made the difference between my owning the xl-7 versus some other, 
much less-capable machine :)


- Nick Maxwell

--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, erik_magrini@B... wrote:
> Also, check your power going to the machine too, I've seen my XL-7 
act up 
> when I played at venue's where the power was much less than ideal.  
Yeah, 
> it's a long shot, but something to consider.
> 
> rEalm
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks for the prompt replies everyone :)  I will open the machine 
up 

> when I have a spare moment later today and check out all the 
> connections, then report back here with the results.
> 
> - Nick Maxwell
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Congrats!  I think you'll be ok now, you don't need to replace cables or 
anything like that.  The looseness is probably just due to it being 
shipped.  Keep playing with it though, just to be on the safe side while 
you still have time to return it.

rEalm




Well, I just opened the machine up and pressed all the connections 
and chips to make sure they were seated properly, and I think a 
couple of them were half in or something, because now the unit is 
working perfectly! 




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks Realm, I appreciate it :)  I am going to take your advice and 
run it through some rigorous testing over the next couple of days, 
including leaving it playing through a complex sequence for 3 hours 
or so, to see if it can stand up to it.  I have to know if this thing 
is going to be able to handle a couple hours worth of Live PA in a 
hot club before I take it out and gig with it.

thanks,

- Nick

> Congrats!  I think you'll be ok now, you don't need to replace 
cables or 
> anything like that.  The looseness is probably just due to it being 
> shipped.  Keep playing with it though, just to be on the safe side 
while 

> you still have time to return it.
> 
> rEalm
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Well, I just opened the machine up and pressed all the connections 
> and chips to make sure they were seated properly, and I think a 
> couple of them were half in or something, because now the unit is 
> working perfectly! 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

It'll definitely hold up to a Live PA, here's mine as proof (shameless 
plug):

http://www.mixtapehost.com/~realm/rEalm__Transitions_Live_PA.mp3

100% live with an XL-7 and Sp808.

rEalm





polyalloyemu <maxwelln@...>
09/03/2003 10:58 AM
Please respond to xl7

 
        To:     xl7@yahoogroups.com
        cc: 

        Subject:        [xl7] Re: new xl-7 owner, major problems



Thanks Realm, I appreciate it :)  I am going to take your advice and 
run it through some rigorous testing over the next couple of days, 
including leaving it playing through a complex sequence for 3 hours 
or so, to see if it can stand up to it.  I have to know if this thing 
is going to be able to handle a couple hours worth of Live PA in a 
hot club before I take it out and gig with it.

thanks,

- Nick

> Congrats!  I think you'll be ok now, you don't need to replace 
cables or 
> anything like that.  The looseness is probably just due to it being 
> shipped.  Keep playing with it though, just to be on the safe side 
while 
> you still have time to return it.
> 
> rEalm
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Well, I just opened the machine up and pressed all the connections 
> and chips to make sure they were seated properly, and I think a 
> couple of them were half in or something, because now the unit is 
> working perfectly! 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Haha, sweet man!  I am downloading it right now, can't wait to hear 
it.  I always love hearing another Live PA, as they are so much more 
rare than dj sets (although this is quickly becoming the excepting to 
the rule).  I do my set with Ableton Live and Reaktor Session synths 
atm, and my plan is to run one midi output to live, and the other to 
session.  It sounds like a pretty cpu intensive setup, but I am 
running a 1.8 ghz laptop, so there is a chance that things will go 
well :)

I will let you know what I thought of the set later on tonight, given 
that I actually have the chance to listen to it with a critical ear 
in the midst of all the homework I have to do (college life).

peace,

- Nick

--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, erik_magrini@B... wrote:
> It'll definitely hold up to a Live PA, here's mine as proof 
(shameless 
> plug):
> 
> http://www.mixtapehost.com/~realm/rEalm__Transitions_Live_PA.mp3
> 
> 100% live with an XL-7 and Sp808.
> 
> rEalm
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> polyalloyemu <maxwelln@p...>
> 09/03/2003 10:58 AM
> Please respond to xl7
> 
>  
>         To:     xl7@yahoogroups.com
>         cc: 
>         Subject:        [xl7] Re: new xl-7 owner, major problems
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks Realm, I appreciate it :)  I am going to take your advice 
and 
> run it through some rigorous testing over the next couple of days, 
> including leaving it playing through a complex sequence for 3 hours 
> or so, to see if it can stand up to it.  I have to know if this 
thing 
> is going to be able to handle a couple hours worth of Live PA in a 
> hot club before I take it out and gig with it.
> 
> thanks,
> 
> - Nick
> 
> > Congrats!  I think you'll be ok now, you don't need to replace 
> cables or 
> > anything like that.  The looseness is probably just due to it 
being 
> > shipped.  Keep playing with it though, just to be on the safe 
side 
> while 
> > you still have time to return it.
> > 
> > rEalm
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Well, I just opened the machine up and pressed all the 
connections 
> > and chips to make sure they were seated properly, and I think a 
> > couple of them were half in or something, because now the unit is 
> > working perfectly! 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
> 
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> xl7-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> 
>  
> 
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to 
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ 

> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

So, I just got done listening to your set, Realm.  All I have to say 
is DAMN.  This PA is definitely dripping with style, and I can tell 
you are pushing your gears' limits to the max.  my fav. part of the 
set is the fact that you transition between so many different styles 
in such a smooth way.  And the way you have your sounds mixed and 
panned comes through excellently over my monitors.  Out of the whole 
set, there was like 1 minute that I didn't like.  Most PA's I hear I 
have to skip like half the set, so great job!

I would like to hear more, and of course I will be posting shameless 
plugs here when I get my next set recorded with the xl-7 :)  I think 
I am going to sit down with this thing and try to explore the synth 
architecture, which seems pretty deep with all these virtual patch 
cord modulation options and whatnot ;)

- Nick

--- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, "polyalloyemu" <maxwelln@p...> wrote:
> Haha, sweet man!  I am downloading it right now, can't wait to hear 
> it.  I always love hearing another Live PA, as they are so much 
more 
> rare than dj sets (although this is quickly becoming the excepting 
to 
> the rule).  I do my set with Ableton Live and Reaktor Session 
synths 
> atm, and my plan is to run one midi output to live, and the other 
to 
> session.  It sounds like a pretty cpu intensive setup, but I am 
> running a 1.8 ghz laptop, so there is a chance that things will go 
> well :)
> 
> I will let you know what I thought of the set later on tonight, 
given 
> that I actually have the chance to listen to it with a critical ear 
> in the midst of all the homework I have to do (college life).
> 
> peace,
> 
> - Nick
> 
> --- In xl7@yahoogroups.com, erik_magrini@B... wrote:
> > It'll definitely hold up to a Live PA, here's mine as proof 
> (shameless 
> > plug):
> > 
> > http://www.mixtapehost.com/~realm/rEalm__Transitions_Live_PA.mp3
> > 
> > 100% live with an XL-7 and Sp808.
> > 
> > rEalm
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > polyalloyemu <maxwelln@p...>
> > 09/03/2003 10:58 AM
> > Please respond to xl7
> > 
> >  
> >         To:     xl7@yahoogroups.com
> >         cc: 
> >         Subject:        [xl7] Re: new xl-7 owner, major problems
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Thanks Realm, I appreciate it :)  I am going to take your advice 
> and 
> > run it through some rigorous testing over the next couple of 
days, 
> > including leaving it playing through a complex sequence for 3 
hours 
> > or so, to see if it can stand up to it.  I have to know if this 
> thing 
> > is going to be able to handle a couple hours worth of Live PA in 
a 
> > hot club before I take it out and gig with it.
> > 
> > thanks,
> > 
> > - Nick
> > 
> > > Congrats!  I think you'll be ok now, you don't need to replace 
> > cables or 
> > > anything like that.  The looseness is probably just due to it 
> being 
> > > shipped.  Keep playing with it though, just to be on the safe 
> side 
> > while 
> > > you still have time to return it.
> > > 
> > > rEalm
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Well, I just opened the machine up and pressed all the 
> connections 
> > > and chips to make sure they were seated properly, and I think a 
> > > couple of them were half in or something, because now the unit 
is 

> > > working perfectly! 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > xl7-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to 
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Glad to hear you got it working :D ...
I agree OS 2.0 is UBER stable ... I've had the MP-7 on 2 days running for 10 hours in the studio without a single hiccup.
Seems to be easily as stable as my RS7000 in that regard .
Unlike the MicroQ which still likes to inexplicably hang notes every once in a while just beacause it can lol .

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> Glad to hear you got it working :D ...

Thanks :)

> Seems to be easily as stable as my RS7000 in that regard.

I used to own the rs7000, and it is quite a capable unit, but I like 
to leave my sampling to my laptop and Ableton Live :)  You are right, 
though, they are incredibly stable.  It is unfortunate that the rs7k 
has some of the same major design flaws as the rm1x, which I also had 
for a long time.


> Unlike the MicroQ which still likes to inexplicably hang notes 
every once in a while just beacause it can lol .

I feel ya on that one.  I owned a MicroQ for a few months, and 
eventually had to sell the thing because of its stability issues.  
This is really funny now that I think about it:  So many people tell 
me that I am crazy for trusting a laptop on stage because of crashes, 
but I have never had one crash before (knock on wood), whereas much 
of the hardware that I have owned in the past is horribly unstable.