I think that it is called the Composer ROM if I'm not mistaken? Slightly different from the
ROM found in the P2K, same instruments, slightly different presets or something like that.
The "deal" that rEalm mentioned is found on the Emu website, just click on "shop Emu" and
you'll see it. That particular deal is for the World Expedition ROM plus a gig bag, the rack
ears, and a gooseneck lamp. All for $379.
The "deal" saves you $23 over the price of all the items combined. Not bad, though it's not
too difficult to find a dealer who will offer the ROM chips for $240 or even less. If you go that
route, it's then cheaper to get the ROM chip from your favorite dealer and then the other
accessories direct from Emu, totaling $363. Perhaps that favorite dealer of yours can also get
you a better (or at least the same) price on the accessories.
Yes, installation of these ROM chips are super simple. Do remember to have good "grounding"
at all times when handling these chips. Professional electronic experts who make house calls wear
a metallic watch band type thingy which they connect to ground while they are working inside a
computer box.
As a pianist, I am very critical of most piano sounds out on the market today. I purchased a
Kurzweil 2600XS last year only to return it due to the crappy voicing of their piano sounds.
While the Kurzweil piano can sound good in a mix (as most can) they tend to get muddy in the mid
range when played solo. The Proteus 2000 piano is several notches below the Kurzweil, IMHO not
very usable unless you plan on hiding it within a mix.
In my XL-7, I am fortunate to have the ZR ROM chip with the Coakley "perfect piano" sounds.
While still not perfect, they are at least able to be played in a solo context without too much
cringing. I have yet to hear the "Holy Grail" ROM so I can't say how good that one is.
I also have the "Composer" ROM chip and the "World Expedition" ROM. The XX-7 is truly an
awesome beast. I bought it mostly to upgrade my Proteus 2000 with a usable interface and a great
sequencer. I must say that Emu has outdone themselves on the interface part of things. This is
what I've been looking for ever since owning a Proteus 2 for the last many many years.
The nicest piano I have ever heard is from the old Roland RD300s which went out of production
many years ago and hasn't been replaced with anything as good sounding (in the piano department
anyway). I bought mine back in 1988. Current Rolands sound like shite in comparison. The ZR is
the only thing that comes close to it.
Some of the electric pianos in the Composer ROM are excellent. This is another area where
Kurzweil could learn a few things. Some of the guitar sounds are also pretty decent. Overall,
the Composer ROM is one of the most useful "bag of tricks" that you could add to your XX-7.
Hats off to rEalm for his "over the top" contributions to this list! It was because of this
list that I decided to go the XL-7 route rather than the Proteus 2500 route. I'm really glad I
did.
I'm still trying to figure out what to do with this glaring yellow look though. I wonder if
there are any users out there who actually like it? I mean, I know that it came from the color of
the XL-1 but come on... I'm thinking of masking off selected areas (like where the words are) and
just spray painting it. Some wording is superfluous in my book, like "touchstrip" or "12VDC Lamp"
As a woodworker, I plan on removing the oddly shaped end pieces and fashioning something from
a nice looking wood with a friendly shape and more organic feel.
And big thanks to Aaron and Scott for helping to guide things when the rest of us mortals get
stuck.
SVG
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 5 Jun 2002 07:22:45 -0500
> From: erik_magrini@...
> Subject: P2000 ROM Review
>
> Well, just got my P2000 Rom last night and wanted to give a quick review
> of it, in case others are debating getting it themselves. First of all,
> it comes with detailed installation instructions, a list of new Presets,
> as well as some cool Emu offers for some XX-7 accessories. I think it was
> like $379 for a Rom of your choice, a gooseneck lamp, rack-ears, and the
> gig bag too. Not a bad deal if you don't own any of this stuff yet and
> want it?
>
> Anyway, installation was simplicity in itself. The XL-7 came apart easy
> enough and I had the new Rom installed and the cover back on in under 5
> minutes. It's dead simple, so if you're worried about that aspect of
> getting a new Rom, don't be, Helen Keller could install this thing, it's
> that easy.
>
> Powered the unit back up and spent the next few hours going through all
> the presets to see what was on there. By and large I'm extremely happy
> (thrilled) with the quality of the Presets, tons of great sounding
> instruments are included. For me the highlights were the 'real' piano's,
> the guitars, and the strings, all of which were extremely useable and just
> plain beautiful sounding. Some of the new drums samples were very welcome
> too, although I noticed a lot of carry over from the XL-7 in this
> category. The electric piano's, Rhodes Presets, and some of the dance
> stabs (it's not the 80's anymore) were less appealing, but that's entirely
> my opinion.
>
> To listen to the Presets, I decided to set up the effects to be controlled
> by the Preset, not the master settings. I was quite surprised to see that
> unlike most manufacturers, Emu doesn't layer tons of effects on their
> Presets to make them sound better, in fact most of the Presets didn't use
> the effects at all! Can't say that about Korg or Roland, who both seem to
> think effects are the same thing as quality synthesis :) The new bts
> riffs and Presets (as well as the new 'jam' category Presets) were pretty
> cool too, as were the drum kits (especially the Emu 2003 Preset). For a
> real treat, hit the Audition button and then scroll through the presets,
> the acoustic guitar Presets especially had my jaw on the floor, very
> realistic sounding, and I'm a 15 year guitar veteran.
>
> So as you can see I'm very happy with the quality of the new sounds,
> anyone looking to get their hands on some very good 'bread an butter' type
> sounds could hardly do better than to pick up one of these roms, it has
> just about every thing you could ask for in terms of variety sounds and
> top notch quality. Sweet job Emu!
>
> rEalm
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P2000 ROM review
2002-06-06 by S V G