By "stand alone" I assume you are asking if someone could be happy with just the Composer ROM. It really depends on what kind of music you are doing.
The P2K came with the P2K version of the composer ROM. The P2500 version has the same samples (ROM Instruments). These have been restructured to create different factory presets in the P2500 version. I believe there is a keyboard version of the ROM, too. The composer ROM does not have beats riffs on it. I think it also predates arps, although OS 2.00 give you space for user arps (ones that are not on the ROM SIMM).
The factory presets have been described as bread and butter sounds--there is quite a variety of good sounds. But depending on the kind of music, you might want other ROMS.
I posted the samples of the pianos to demo alternatives to the "Perfect Piano." The instrument ROM and preset lists for the ROMs that were originally released in E-Mu boxes (P2K, P2500, XL-1, XL-7, etc.) can be found in the back of their respective manual. I thought there were listings of the contents of other ROMS somewhere (not sure, though).
Keep in mind that the E-Mu P2k synth engine is quite powerful and flexible. If you take the time to learn it, you can go way beyond the factory presets.
Somewhere people have written up descriptive overviews. Those might be helpful in deciding which one is best for you.
Hope this helps.
Steve
--- In
xl7@yahoogroups.com, "antithetical2" wrote:
>
> Finally getting a chance to listen now. Thanks so much! Everyone's feedback has been very useful.
>
> I liked the Composer ROM, the dynamic Grand and the CP80 (always wanted a CP). A few others sounded good too.
>
> Does the Composer ROM function well as a standalone?
>
> --- In
xl7@yahoogroups.com, "steve_the_composer" wrote:
> >
> >; http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/xl7/files/TEMP/
> >
> > I created a temp folder in the files section in case you want to hear some composer ROM acoustic pianos. There is an rtf file that gives you an idea on what the files contain. Note: they are quick and dirty "press-audition-and-record" demos; no production to equalize volume differences between the presets.
> >
> > Hope these help you select a ROM for your piano sounds. It didn't sound like you wanted a perfect piano; so, here are some other options.
> >
> > Steve
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In
xl7@yahoogroups.com, "steve_the_composer" <smw-mail@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Correction: The P2500 group does not have audio clips of all of the presets. There are some audio files (mp3s) of some presets and sequences (including one piano preset and several patterns that have pianos).
> > >
> > > I have a basic P2K composer ROM in my P2500 and will try to make a quick mp3 of the keyboard presets.
> > >
> > > Hmmmmm. Evidently epr is out of the P2K ROMs.
> > >
> > > Steve
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In
xl7@yahoogroups.com, "steve_the_composer"
> > > >
> > > > The composer ROM has piano samples and presets. I don't know if eprelectronics still has them for $50, but that might meet your needs. I believe Francois at the P2500 user group posted audio files of all the presets, so you could give them a listen.
> > > >
> > > > I believe the one from epr is the basic P2K ROM with 8 banks of basic P2K presets, no beats, etc. However, the ROM instruments are the same as the P2500 version of the Composer ROM.
> > > >
> > > > I do believe there are more keyboard presets on the P2K ROM, but you can convert any of the P2500 presets to work with that ROM--either by hand or with a utility I have.
> > > >
> > > > Steve
> > > >
> > > > --- In
xl7@yahoogroups.com, Mark Thomas wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks for the input, that's great. I'm a fan of darker more moody pianos. I'm sure I could easily modify that via the filter if the timbre is too bright. But I suppose it helps to ask, is one better than the other in that way? Thanks again!
> > > > >
> > > > > From:
xl7@yahoogroups.com [mailto:
xl7@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of oldtimemidi
> > > > > Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2012 10:54 AM
> > > > > To:
xl7@yahoogroups.com
> > > > > Subject: [xl7] Re: Identifying ROM differences
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > I have both the Holy Grail piano rom and the Sounds of the ZR (5 bank Halo version) that I use for pianos.
> > > > > I use them both in live performances and in recording.
> > > > > The Sounds of the ZR (Perfect pianos) have a real sweet tone.
> > > > > I prefer the Holy Grail pianos more for rock as they really cut thru the mix.
> > > > > I have two p2000 series synths that include above roms as well as the composer rom, b3 rom and extreme lead rom and am extremely happy with my setup.
> > > > > If you do purchase the Sounds of the ZR rom with the perfect pianos, there are some updates that are listed on William Coakley's site at
> > > > >
http://www.williamcoakley.com/proteus that fix some issues in the in the patches.
> > > > >
> > > > > --- In
xl7@yahoogroups.com, "antithetical2" wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hi all,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I bought a PX7 and when I installed Podatum I was surprised to discover that it has two extra ROM cards. It has the Drum ROM, of course, but also the MO'Phatt ROM and the Extreme Leads ROM. So it's like a PX7/XL7/MP7 in one. I don't think the seller knew that, I didn't either for a few months...duh!
> > > > > >
> > > > > > However the Leads ROM is listed as XL-2 in the PX7 interface and in Podatum. I'm not sure what to make of that. Are there differences, if so what are they and how do I spot them?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > On a related note, to fill that last ROM slot what card should I look for? This will be primarily used as a drum machine/sequencer sitting next to an Ensoniq TS-12 in my 'scratch pad' area. However, I don't like the piano on the TS, is there a good piano sound on any Emu ROMs?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Thanks so much!
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>