Time for a new toy...?

[dStx]

Whatup fam,

I've been working with a 404sx only for over a year, and I'm starting to get frustrated with the limitations. I need more voices than the 12 polyphony.

Anyway, I was looking at some drum machines so I could just send in drum beats to the 404 as one sample. Been looking at the Akai XR20 and the Alesis SR18. Anyone familiar with these units? (RZA used the Alesis SR16 for Liquid Swords.)

Then I cam across the E-MU MP-7. The thing is a beast. Its a 16-track recorder/sequencer, synthesizer and drum machine. I'm really interested in getting one of these b/c its all I would need (though it doesn't sample). Does anyone have one/have used one? I want to hear some user reviews. Thanks

Peace!

[Rabot]

MP-7

[dStx]

Thanks guys. They look real badass. I'll admit I have no idea how to use a "synth" that doesn't look like a synth (no keys...?), but I'm sure I can figure it out.

If I can find one used for $300 max, that's what I want. Am I right though that it cannot sample? doesn't really matter with my 404, just checking.

[Rabot]

no sampling feature in any command station (really sadly)

[blavatsky]

Had an MP-7 ... very nice piece. Has great pads to play on, sequencer, filters etc.

IMO...the ROM card it comes with is kind of lacking; I know its hip hop oriented but its like a weak mid 90s british interpretation. Some OK drums/basses but really I ended up never using the sounds in it. Keep on the lookout for the EMU card that is all drums, or plan on adding an expansion to it.

[dStx]

"IMO...the ROM card it comes with is kind of lacking; I know its hip hop oriented but its like a weak mid 90s british interpretation."

That's what I was afraid of. I listened to some clips of its stock sounds and didn't like them. And it doesn't seem like I could connect my 404 to it (no inputs) so there's no way I could send in my good drum/bass samples?

At this point, I'd rather just have an MPC1000 and get a multi-track recorder to mix (but more $$).

[neotechtonics]

if you're looking for a relatively cheap but heavily featured multitrack recorder; have a look at the Zoom R16 (8 tracks simultaneous recording, 16 tracks total)... the R24 (bigger brother of R16) has sampling and a basic sequencer. I have an R16.. biggest let down: no MIDI.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep09/articles/zoomr16.htm

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan11/articles/zoom-r24.htm