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

i've been out of the loop for a while as far as playing with
electronic music making tools and want to get back into it with an all
in one unit such as the the xl-7 or mp-7. i'm into making both
straight up house/techno grooves as well as electronic infused indie
rock, where i'd use the box for accompaniment to singing and
strumming. i'm also interested in building up some more hardware in
the future. i'd like feedback on how it does sequencing external gear
(including user assignable knobs) as well as how it is as a sequencer
in general (muting un muting tracks and does it allow on the fly
composition). finally i'm not sure which soundset i'd like to start
with. i think perhaps i'd like both, which means i'd get either one
and then buy the rom for the one i'm missing. how many of you have
done that? easy to install?  thanks for any guidance you can give. 

john