To me they are two compeletely different machines
that funciton worlds appart. The MIDI functionality of the MP/XL-7 is
amaizing. The megamix function in the 505 is cool, but imho it's
about the onlything that is slightly better than the xx7. READ: You
have the ability to program up to 32 tracks internally and 32 tracks externally
in the XX7. Imho xx7 wins hands down...
----- Original Message -----From: Andre LewisSent: Tuesday, June 25, 2002 5:01 PMSubject: RE: [xl7] Help MC-505 vs. XL-7Well IMHO the XL-7 is a little easier to get into at first, but the MC505 has a
lot going for it as well. The main reason you would want the XL-7 is for it's
sounds and that you can add different soundsets to it. As far as synths go, the
synth engines are very similar with the exception of the modulation matrix (IE
patchcords) on the XL7, but this might be harder to follow and you may not use
it as much. The 505 has the equivelant engine of the JV series and XV series of
Rolands, in fact the controllers on the JP8000 map directly on the 505. The 505
is way more complex overall but has nearly the same general style synth engine
(4 sound layers x effects per layer + filter per layer + 1 of 8 LFOs per layer +
amp, pitch and filter envelope per layer + FM modulation). The 505 has a better
sequencer in that it has a really solid architecture and very well done drum
mode, allows you to mute drum portions without assigning a designated track to
them (The xl-7 requires you to assign each sound to a channel, therefore a kick,
hihat, snare, tom, cymbal, clap and ride will take up 7 channels if you plan on
muting/unmuting realtime). If you are using these without a computer and you
don't mind the sounds the 505 wins hands down, since it is more mature and has
shortcuts to all functions. If you plan on sequencing with a computer the XL7
takes the cake, since it has a better interface for that. They both have
quirks, though the 505 really is a comprehensive beast, but very deep and it
will take far longer to learn some aspects. Live sequencing and recording =
505. Soundset = XL7. Effects = 505. Appregiators = either (The 505 has only 8
user apregiators, however has things like chord mode where the bass notes are
apregiated but the uper notes are chords) so it's a tossup. Controllers = 505
(Dedicated knobs and sliders for most functions) (XL7 = 18 knobs, no sliders -
505 = 26 knobs and sliders). Keypad = XL7 with it's dynamics and aftertouch.
Extras = 505. Pattern sequencer = 505. Track count and extra midi channels for
other gear = XL7. Crashes = both. Timing = both. You have to play with both of
them a little to get the best timing. Beats mode doesn't compare to RPS or
megamix, but RPS doesn't transmit midi. The main drawbacks of a 505 are that:
1) it's complex, maybe too complex. 2) The sounds sound a little thin by default
unless you tweak them. 3) The two line display makes editing note events suck.
4) The 505 has no dedicated thru. 5) You only have 8 channels + RPS, however
this can effectively be the equivelant to 16 channels depending on how you use
them. 6) The filters can blow out your speakers and tend to overload your
inputs if overdone. 7) The filters and other knobs can sometimes have noticable
steping. 8) The sequencer can get bogged down with too much controller info and
slows down, though this is easily fixed by shifting events over a few clocks.
8) there is only 3 effects busses, 1 reverb, 1 delay and one multiblock. If you
skim this list you will see that there are many small workflow issues and minor
bugs for the XL7, and it misses a lot of the functionality of the 505, however
it has one thing the 505 doesn't: A team of dedicated people willing to listen
to the customers and release new features regularely. The 505 has years of this
style of sequencing under it's belt, but it's not perfect. the XL-7 is still
relatively new but has the ability to really grow into it. I personally have
them both and have no interest in getting rid of either. In fact they work well
together and accentuate each other.
Hope that wasn't too confusing ... ?
Andre
-----Original Message-----
From: vsr123 [mailto:vsr123@...]
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2002 1:27 PM
To: xl7@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [xl7] Help MC-505 vs. XL-7
Folks
I couldnt find a similar post and am new to this group. I was
wondering if any of you had suggestions regarding a XL-7 vs. an MC-
505 unit from a beginners perspective? Which one is easier to pick up
and understand? I am interested in trying some of my own mixes of
other tracks/samples and then maybe trying something on my own.
thanks in advance for your help
vsr
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