Command Stations are the future (long)
2002-10-24 by erik_magrini@Baxter.com
Well, with all the talk in regard to the possibility of being able to burn ROMs within the native environment of the Command Station itself, I figured I'd throw out a couple of thoughts. I'll first state that I still don't completely realize how this can be done. >>>Aaron has already told us that the hardware capabilities are there, just a few weeks ago: "...and the XL-7 already burns presets to the flash ROM as part of authoring, even when using the E4 sampler." Unless I misunderstood him. <<< Well, in regards to serving as a controller and in regards to serving as a sequencer, the Command Stations seem to (IMO) beat out the beast known as a 909. >>>I think in terms of a controller, yeah the XX-7's have it hands down. In terms of a sequencer, that's a tougher call IMO. Certainly I think that the XX-7's are far faster and more intuitive, but the MC series still 'currently' has more pattern editing options that give it the slight edge. OS2 might change this, hard to say until it's here. <<< In regard to being a synth, I actually think the Command Stations edge out. >>>Hmmm, I think that Emu definitely has a better synth engine, certainly the routing and polyphony are far and away better. The one area that the Roland might still hold sway is in the included sounds, I bet they give you more variety (no splitting genres among units), and the SRX based synths do have some very nice realistic instrument samples. As a pure synth though, the XX-7's take it IMO. <<< One really cool thing we have to remember is that the Command Stations have a means of interacting with the computer environment aside from MIDI. Granted, the USB features haven't really been utilized at this point at all, but they exist none the less. Now, as I'm sure everyone realizes, the computer environment can be pretty darn capable in regards to being a sampler environment (in regard to grabbing and editing samples). >>>Ultimately I agree with you here. I think that incorporating a computer interface in the sample editing/storing/loading process will be the best solution. By the simple fact that the only options for backing up XX-7 data and loading new OS's is via a computer, I think Emu have already taken the plunge and assumed most user have access to a computer, so I don't think it's too much of leap for them to go this route. In fact, I think that ultimately if we did see this, it would be far better than using onboard sampling ala mc909, since we'll have the ability to alter and manipulate samples much easier than with simple onboard controls. <<< Really what we start to look at here is something that comes VERY VERY VERY VERY close to matching the MC-909 in capability. Furthermore, with the given cost of the Command Stations, throwing in features like this capably puts Roland into a REALLY damn iffy position. When you consider the fact that the MC-909 is planned to debut at a cost that is about twice that of the Command Stations, I'm sure the those in the market would really think hard on how badly they wanted to purchase the MC-909 over the Command Station which nearly matched the 909 in capability....Such a case could really work in not just Emu's favor, but in the shoppers favor as well. Sales of Command Stations might see a sudden boost, conversely the cost of the 909 may have to be dropped a lot more quickly than normal in order to steer shoppers! >>>Decent points, but I think the key here is not that it benefits Emu, but that it has to benefit Creative, their parent company now. Any one who's ever worked for or with a large corporation knows how difficult it can be to get projects moved 'up the ladder' and into reality. I think if it was Emu driving this, we'd see stuff like this happen a lot easier. They're musicians making music gear, and understand the need. From Creative's perspective, here's a relatively new product line that had to be drastically reduced in price in order to sell and remain competitive in a waning market. How do you convince people in that position to spend MORE money developing a product that wasn't a huge seller in the first place? I'm in no way saying this is the case, but that's how I would look at it from their perspective. But again, the competition could be helpful in this case. Here comes Roland, the originators of the 'groovebox' concept releasing a new product to less than stellar reviews and criticisms. Emu sees this and realizes they they're still on playing field (in many cases in the lead), and not only that, but the increased interest in this product (and it's shortcomings) will undoubtedly spill over onto their gear in the meantime (most reviews in magazines list an "other options" field). So, they decide to go ahead with OS2 and up the ante. So what about sampling? Hm, well I think that given the XX-7's have the ability to burn ROMs, and that the E5 will no doubt interface with their hardware samplers which have a similar architecture to ours, then it's probably not too big of a leap to guess that the XX-7's have the ability get this option as well. Will it happen? Hard to say for the above reasons. Certainly I think that Emu has a great chance to reinvent the XX-7's and their image right now. They know what the competition is bringing to the table in the coming months, which can only help. They have the hardware in place currently, and the software being developed for something else as we speak. With a new OS on the way as well, not to mention Winter NAMM right around the corner, they could do a huge service to themselves by announcing and releasing the ability to burn ROMs around that time. Not only will it be around the time that the mc909 is released, but NAMM is typically the time to announce major changes like that, so the press is already there looking for a buzz. Offer existing users a burnable ROM & E5 package at a reasonable price, and you'd have a hit. Maybe even follow typical Emu marketing strategy and offer a new XX-7 turbo unit with these options already included [for god's sake ditch the yellow paint too :) ]. Whew, long ramble but you get my point. NOT SAYING THIS WILL HAPPEN, I know nothing more than anyone else here about what Emu's plans are regarding sampling, but I'm agreeing (in a very long winded way) that they certainly are in a good position to do it, provided they can make Creative see the light too. <<< rEalm [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]