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

> In my opinion, EMU Command Station is a good machine.  I have 14
> hardware synths, and sold a lot, and the EMU is one of the synths
> I`m gonna keep for the rest of my life.

i have a shed-load as well, and my 'keeper' is my yellow waldorf q!

i think i need to delve a bit deeper before i can get attached to it to any great extent.  its odd that some synths are instant & some aren't - within 10 minutes of me opening up my yamaha sy77 i was bitten...

   
> Is a great synth for controlling and sequencing via MIDI other
> synths.  The strenght of the EMU is not the sounds but the
> sequencer applications.  

in which case it'll not be much use to me!  but i do like the 4x4 grid of knobs, though a lot of controller keyboard have assignable knobs these days.

the biggest reason why i dont use hardware sequencers (i started on an akai asq10 all those years ago) is the lack of multiple midi outputs.  my mac now has 32 midi outputs...  thats 32 seperate midi outputs courtesy of 4 steinberg midex8s.  one of them is dedicated to just accessing my drum machines, and with steinberg's LTB encoding the midi response is really really good.

   
> You don`t have to STOP/PLAY and leaving and entering menus and
> screens and waiting for processes and all that crap.

in a way i agree with you - too many people write music with their eyes and not their ears.  i've been using cubase for so long that i dont need to think about what i want to do, i just do it.


> Is the best hardware sequencer I have found in the hardware
> market.

you've not played on an akai asq10 then eh?  i can use that thing blindfolded, in a dark room with both hands tied behind my back.  the OS on that thing was rock solid and worked like a charm.  in a way i still wish i had one, but 4 seperate outs isnt enough...

    
> There are no decimal or fractions for the MIDI clock.  This is
> very uncomfortable when manipulating samples that have, for
> example, 130.5 bpm.

you could slightly detune the sample at the source.


and yes, your niggles list is a good list.  the little things actually add up to quite a lot!


>  but definitly, the worst of the EMU command station is
> its "Effect" section.

lots of decent synths dont have eq.  if you look a the emu as an all-in-one production centre then yes i agree with you, but how many drum machines do you know that have an effects section as good as the px7?

anywa,s for me i also have a shed-load of outboard so the seperate outputs would be put in to good use.

  
> I won`t waste your time writing more,  I just say again, by
> experience, that the command station is a good investment.

one mans lotus elise is another mans ford crappo.  have they made a 'crappo' yet?  };-)


> I play live, and the EMU have helped me a lot putting order on a
> hardware synth chaos.  I control synths like the ROLAND V Synth
> or an analogic AKAI AX 60 and a JUNO 106 with the EMU.  Just find
> the best usage for yours...

there's no way i'm taking my system live - a) most of the stages aren't big enough & b) decent power would be an issue!!!  so we tend to go live with either a stereo backing mix from a cd whilst overdubbing 2-3 synths & electronic drums, or run the stereo from a laptop sending out midi sync to arpeggios on synths.

but yes, i'll spend some time playing before i make any decisions.  its just a shame theres no 'instant' grab sounds.


and thanks for your long reply.  most appreciated.

}:-)
moose @ midizoo