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

Hi,

Yesterday I visited my local store and demo'd an XL7 (which they had
to get from another outlet) for the first time.  Having read so much
about this unit before actually using one my experience was quite a
bit different from what I had expected.

I had mixed feelings about the unit on first sight/touch and after
using it for about 45 minutes in the store I purchased it on the
basis that I could get a refund in 1-2 weeks if need be...

This major store isn't selling many of them whereas they are seeing 2
RS7Ks selling per day which I found interesting.  Since I already
have an A5K sampler then the RS7K is lower on my list...(I also have
an AN1x and SW1000XG and quite frankly don't want yet another
duplicate Yamaha soundset when other options are available).

So after my first evening of use (about 2-3 hours) these are my first
impressions if anyone is interested:
* the pads: I think I was anticipating 'non-moving' pads as per the
MPC units: i.e. pads that don't physical depress when you touch them.
 They wobble quite a lot if pressed round the side and mean that when
I'm trying to get a wide range of velocities the notes don't always
sound.  I plan on experimenting with different velocity curves to see
if I can find one that suits me/the pads better.  I hope I can get
used to the pads as this was a key point in the purchasing decision
(tapping a keyboard has never quite 'felt right' for drums)
* the sequencer: loading up 1.31 after playing with 1.01 in the store
provides definite pluses - extra options that I would have found hard
to live without!  (kudos to Aaron & Sean for listening & responding
to this list)
* the soundset: very EMU.  I own an ESI-32 and have some of the EMU
library and I recognised a lot of those sounds (either in full or in
part).  Its a very mixed bag of sounds.  As someone else said on this
list previously - IMHO there are too many 5ths - they simply give it
an old ravers feel (this is not a good thing)!  OTOH, I came across
some cutting edge sounds that were very inspiring.  I haven't dug
into creating my own presets (apart from quick edit tweaks) so am
looking forward to seeing where that might take me sonically...
* the look: can't say I like the design much.  But it certainly seems
built well...

Cheers

-b

I think once you get used to the pads, you'll appreciate them more.  I too 
was initially a bit disappointed in the feel of them (was comparing to 
Akai as well), but now that they're broken in and I'm used to them, they 
really are great IMO.  Like you said keys don't cut it for inputting drum 
hits!

rEalm




* the pads: I think I was anticipating 'non-moving' pads as per the
MPC units: i.e. pads that don't physical depress when you touch them.
 They wobble quite a lot if pressed round the side and mean that when
I'm trying to get a wide range of velocities the notes don't always
sound.  I plan on experimenting with different velocity curves to see
if I can find one that suits me/the pads better.  I hope I can get
used to the pads as this was a key point in the purchasing decision
(tapping a keyboard has never quite 'felt right' for drums)