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

I was harping on this problem a while back; it's the main reason why I decided not to buy an XX-7. It's clearly intended to be used as a live sequencer (gooseneck lamp jack) but it lacks one of the most crucial features of a live sequencer, a good way to change patterns during a performance. And if you're not using the XX-7 as your main sequencer, why not get an XX-1 instead?

A program change or sysex message to select pattern numbers would at least let you switch from a PC-1600 or footswitch board (I play guitar too)...but it won't do that either (only the otherwise very limited Electribes will).

Hopefully E-mu will eventually address this with an update, but at this point I've given up and decided to try Ableton Live instead. I wish Live played back MIDI sequences as well as audio, but the degree of MIDI control is much higher than ANY of the hardware sequencers, and I can use Max to cover the must-be-MIDI stuff.