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

Hi,

I would like to share your thoughts in how to compose songs on the mp-
7.

I have worked with PC Sequencers, QY70, RM1X, MC-307. I sold the 
latter to buy the mp-7 (after demoing the RS7000). I was overwhelmed 
by the mp-7s drumsounds (unfortunately no bread an butter sounds, no 
piano!), like the grid mode I am used to, the changing on the fly 
between the other record modes etc, the sturdy build, velocity 
responding keyboard and the high resolution of the sequencer.

Somehow I just can´t find a quick workflow in composing songs with 
the mp-7. I just don´t have the time anymore to fiddle around for 
days until I have a few tracks done. Maybe I am just too used to 
working with rolands and yammies. Apart from the limited screens 
everything seems so mixed up: endless opportunities in a complicated 
structure. Building your songs with intros, breaks, variations etc., 
organising your tracks for effective work by copy and paste of 
existing material, buidling your own drumsets, implementing the 
arpeggiator (master settings, preset settings)- well, its all so 
complicated and I loose the overview of whats going on easily.

So how do you manage to get around composing songs (different from 
setting up tracks and some basic grooves) or am I the only one who is 
a little frustrated about the structure of this - well - wonderful 
machine? It reminds me to some extend of my DP2 EMU Efx processor I 
had years ago: Amazing Soundquality and terribly implemented 
features. Sigh. 

Well, thats a long post, forgive me, but I had to get that off my 
chest. Somebody to give me a few hints?

Heinrich

Thansks so much for answering, eric,

it all makes sense. My only gripe: I went for the mp-7 to get away 
from the computer stuff that I have to face 10 hours a day  ;-) Have 
you ever come across the all-in-one-box Yammie RS7000 and if so, do 
you think this machine is easier to handle for composing songs rather 
than "only" pondering (oops, my English, can you say so?)out some 
groovy tracks? Does it give you a better overview of whats going on? 
(Soundwise the RS 7000 would never be a serious competitor to the mp-
7, anyway, to my ears - but maybe its easier to handle without a 
computer)
 Waddaya think?

Heinrich







--- In xl7@y..., erik_magrini@B... wrote:
> Hehehe, I know what you mean.  I too started out on Roland and 
Yamaha 
> machines (still the moderator of the Yahoogroups mc505 list), and 
then 
> migrated over to the PC side of things almost completely after I 
was 
> forced to sell my hardware suddenly last year.  After awhile 
though, I 
> missed the live aspect of hardware (I used to do Live PA's 
regularly), and 
> needed something to compliment my DJ sets.  Not to mention I missed 
being 
> able to make music outside of the studio, so I decided to get the 
XL-7. 
> After working exclusively in the computer for awhile, it was a bit 
of a 
> shock to suddenly be confronted with what some might consider 
the "limited 
> features" of the XL/MP series.  I've found that the best way to 
approach 
> it, is to not expect the sae things that you would from a computer, 
or 
> other gear.  I know, I know, it's much easier said than done 
sometimes! 
> Just try and trea the Command Station as a new instrument, like you 
would 
> a guitar or sax.  Something that has to be learned for what it is 
and not 
> what it should be.  The new OS really has gone a huge way towards 
making 
> this a feasible possibility.
> 
> Also, using E-Loader, you can really have the best of both worlds 
too.  I 
> typically have been hashing out my patterns (I never use Song Mode) 
using 
> just the XL-7.  That way it's easy and quick to get your basic 
groove 
> going, make all the relevant Presets you need, and all the basic 
> programming/sequencing stuff.  Once I've got the basics down, I'll 
save it 
> to my computer using E-Loader.  From there I can Import the midi 
file into 
> Cubase and do all my fine tuning.  It's easier to do things like 
drawing 
> and cleaning up controller info, adding groove quantize, and 
randomizing 
> my percussion velocities (via Cubase's logical editor) to give them 
a more 
> human feel.  Once I'm done I save the MIDI file again, and (after 
> rebooting my computer, since E-Loader won't run twice, grrr!) I 
load it 
> back into the XL-7 to take out live with me.  Takes me minutes to 
do it 
> this way, versus hours with just the XL-7.  I find this hybrid 
approach is 
> best if you really need or want fine control over your music.  You 
could 
> even arrange an entire song in the computer and then load it into 
the MP 
> for playing back if you wanted too, as long as you don't exceed the 
note 
> capacity of the sequencer...
> 
> rEalm
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Somehow I just can´t find a quick workflow in composing songs with 
the 
> mp-7. I just don´t have the time anymore to fiddle around for days 
until I 
> have a few tracks done. Maybe I am just too used to working with 
rolands 
> and yammies.

Yeah, I hear you about needing to get away from the computer, which is one 
of the reason I got the XL-7 too!  Personally it just took a little bit of 
getting used to working with more limited sequencing options, but it 
wasn't that big a deal.  I just approach the two with different mindsets, 
so it's not too bad.  I mean I know I can do complete tracks in my PC, and 
I know I can do complete tracks in the X-7 too, you just can't go into it 
expecting to work the same way.  It's like comparing apples and oranges, 
yeah they're both fruit, but one you gotta dig a little bit deeper in to 
get the goods ;).

As far as the RS7000, yeah I've seen it it.  It's ok, personally I think 
that the sound set and synthesis options are way too limited.  I hoped 
they were going to add the synthesis options of the CS6x, alas it's almost 
identical to the limited editing of the RM1x.  Yeah it's got a sampler too 
(basically a cut down SU700 BTW), but the XL/MP-7 can load their own 
sounds too, even if it is a more expensive proceedure (Flash rom, etc).  I 
honestly think if you want a portable all in one type box, the Command 
Stations are the best out right now.  The more time I spend with mine, the 
quicker and more intuitive it becomes.  I would highly recommend it to 
anyone, and even told many people on the mc505 list I moderate about how 
much better I think the Command Stations are.  It might take a little bit 
getting used to, but you won't be disappointed!

rEalm



My only gripe: I went for the mp-7 to get away from the computer stuff 
that I have to face 10 hours a day  ;-) Have 
you ever come across the all-in-one-box Yammie RS7000 and if so, do you 
think this machine is easier to handle for composing songs

I Personally beleive thaT the MP7 offers more than u asked for and 
with the ease of composing u can only comapre to those really simple 
to learn Korg electribe boxes!

My advise!!
Wanna make music - REaL MUSIC- i know how u feel having that little 
time to do what u really love.. 
! - Get an MP7 at any cost and study it as good as u can in as little 
time as possible.
Take it from some1 ike u but instead of working ive put myself 
through the self paced MCSE study coarse and only got Fri-Sat to 
spend time making music-(check out the grooveshare section of the MP& 
website to listen to some complete musical music patterns ive shared),
Laying down great tracks can take a surprisingly short Time using the 
new EMU command station.

Hope u make the wise Decision ive made myself .

Best regards

Adam