Emu E6400 Ultra, built in sequencer any good?

Jason13 · Post by **Jason13** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:45 pm

I have been doing a lot of research to try and find the right rack sampler for my needs and the Emu seems to fit the bill nicely. I was planning to buy an MPC 1000 for drum sampling and also use it to sequence the Emu. However I believe the Emu has it's own 48 track sequencer built in and I was wondering whether or not the MPC would be redundant in my set up if I get the Emu?

plus321 · Post by **plus321** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:28 pm

No, it wouldn't be redundant. I don't use the sequencer on any of my E-mus because it is not nearly as sophisticated as the MPC sequencer and likewise the MPC sampler is not as sophisticated as an E-mu sampler.

There is very little overlap between them. You may find that you like the E-mu sequencer, but it is sort of limited and I thought it was uncomfortable to work with. I'm not saying you won't like it, but it is not really like an MPC sequencer.

gcoudert · Post by **gcoudert** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 5:39 pm

plus321 wrote:You may find that you like the E-mu sequencer, but it is sort of limited.

If it's like the E4K's sequencer (and it must be), I'll second that. And sequences aren't editable.

I record my sequences in Cubase, save them as MIDI files and play them from the E-mu. Incidentally, the beauty of the E-mu's sequencer is that it outputs MIDI sequences through its MIDI Out, unlike Akai's S2000 and S2800i, which play MIDI files but only using their internal sounds.

Gilles

Jason13 · Post by **Jason13** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 5:59 pm

plus321 wrote:No, it wouldn't be redundant. I don't use the sequencer on any of my E-mus because it is not nearly as sophisticated as the MPC sequencer and likewise the MPC sampler is not as sophisticated as an E-mu sampler.

There is very little overlap between them. You may find that you like the E-mu sequencer, but it is sort of limited and I thought it was uncomfortable to work with. I'm not saying you won't like it, but it is not really like an MPC sequencer.

Sounds good, I read a thread on emusforacid from about 2003 where a guy said that he liked using the Emu sequencer but he only used 8 loops or so at a time to do a minimal hip hop style of music. From what you are saying if I go for the Emu and the MPC I would have kind of the best of both worlds!

Thanks for the insight.

Jason13 · Post by **Jason13** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 6:06 pm

gcoudert wrote:
plus321 wrote:You may find that you like the E-mu sequencer, but it is sort of limited.
If it's like the E4K's sequencer (and it must be), I'll second that. And sequences aren't editable.

I record my sequences in Cubase, save them as MIDI files and play them from the E-mu. Incidentally, the beauty of the E-mu's sequencer is that it outputs MIDI sequences through its MIDI Out, unlike Akai's S2000 and S2800i, which play MIDI files but only using their internal sounds.

Gilles

Thanks for the info, I had no idea that the sequences from the Emu were not editable and it is now becoming obvious to me that the MPC + Emu combo is definately the way to go, especially for live use!

baschyn · Post by **baschyn** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 11:22 pm

I've been using E-mu samplers, my first was an EIII, since I was a wee lad. I'll be hitting the road this summer with an E4 and a ESynth in my rack. The set will be held down be an MPC2000XL. They both are close, but become one as two.

hautacam · Post by **hautacam** » Fri May 09, 2008 9:26 am

I found it to be a real pain in the a*s to use. I wouldn't recommend relying on it.