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

Well, I've owned all of them, so hopefully I can provide some rEalm 
insight here.  First of all, for those that don't care to read all the 
following, I'll just say up front I think the XL-7 is the winner, or else 
I'd still be using something else (ER-1 excluded, as I still use it all 
the time)! 

XL-7 -  By far the leader of the pack in terms of synthesis and sound 
quality.  Lots of features when it comes to controlling a MIDI set up too, 
the flexibility of the track versus channel assignments is key here.  Only 
unit with USB , ROM expansion, and digital outs too, as well as those 
sweet drum pads.  What it lacks?  More comprehensive MIDI editing, 
dance-type effects, megamix, and RPS (RPPR) features would be nice too. 
BTS mode is ok, but still not ideal.  This is probably the easiest 'box' 
to learn for the beginner I think.

MC505 - The close runner up IMO, it has pretty good sound engine (same as 
the JV1080), although I personally found myself getting sick of the 
"Roland sound" after awhile.  The Patches all have this same 'sheen' to 
them.  It excels at live sequencing though, hands down the winner here. 
Once you learn Megamix, you don't want to go back, and this feature alone 
gave me the hardest time when deciding to get a XL-7.  The pattern editing 
is pretty comprehensive, and it has lots of groove quantizing that works 
very well.  Interesting effects too, not just the more standard ones (ie 
boring) that the XX-7's have.  Smart media cards are used for storage, 
although Roland implemented the less standard 5v cards, which are very 
hard to find now, I think Roland themselves might be the only ones left 
now.  D-Beam is cool for the first 2 minutes of use, after that you 
realize that it's pretty unstable and reacts very differently under 
different lighting conditions.  Plus you look like a fool using it live 
IMO, but that's just me.  For those that mentioned it, they licensed the 
technology from Interactive Lighting, who DO make stand-alone D-Beams, 
just FYI.

RM1x - Pretty limited synthesis is my first thought, less options than 
even a CS2x.  But it's by far the most full featured sequencer of the 
bunch, with tons of cool MIDI effects and plentiful editing options.  The 
terminology and the organization of Patterns is a bit out there, but once 
you get your head round it, it's pretty flexible.  This is the same 
sequencer you get in the RS7000 BTW.  If you're controlling ONLY external 
gear, the RM1x is a pretty good compact sequencer in that regard.

Electribes - Personally I think that it's a bit unfair to categorize the 
Electribes with the above sequencers.  With the possible exception of the 
EM-1, the rest of them are pretty specialized at what they do, and not 
really an "all in one" solution.  Having said that, I can't recommend the 
E-tribes enough if you've got a couple hundred laying around and got the 
itch to buy some gear.  The ER-1 in particular is one bad ass little 
machine capable of a sick array of beats.  Easy to use, portable in the 
extreme, and they never, ever, ever crash or act weird IMO.  The ES-1 is a 
cool little sampler, and the EA-1 is a nice 2 voice analog synth you can 
use for wicked basslines and what not.  By far these are the easiest to 
learn, but you'll also reach their limits very fast too.  They make a 
great addition to a studio or live set up, but I wouldn't rely on them as 
your only tools, unless you're COMPLETELY new to e-music and not sure if 
it's going to be something you want to invest in.

rEalm



On some other web sites the following other units were mentioned as 
possible contenders for the XL-7 and MC-505 - those are the Yamaha RM1x 
and the Korg Electribes (EM-1&ES-1&ER-1 if I am right), has anyone used 
the later units? how do they compare in features/ease of picking up for 
beginners?