A ROMpler is a digital synthesizer that plays back pre-recorded sounds stored in its Read-Only Memory (ROM) instead of generating them from scratch. The term is a blend of "ROM" and "sampler". Unlike a traditional sampler, a rompler cannot record new audio; its sounds are pre-loaded by the manufacturer and are often realistic emulations of instruments like pianos, guitars, and strings, or synthetic tones.
Note that earlier digital synthesizers, which used short-cycle sampled waveforms, are usually not considered romplers but are either called "PCM synthesizers" or "wavetable synthesizers" because the sampled waveform in this case is usually only made of a single full cycle (or a handful of full cycles) of the wave and would therefore be a fraction of a second in length.
Why use romplers?
Romplers are known for their unique, imperfect, and "vintage" character, often heard in genres like IDM and ambient music. The way samples are stretched and looped can create subtle imperfections that add a distinctive "character" to the sound.
Using pre-made samples speeds workflow & provides "instant results" with ready-to-use Instrument Racks. The sounds are typically presented as "presets," offering instant access to a variety of high-quality tones without the need for complex programming.
While the core sound source is fixed, most romplers allow for sound shaping through filters, envelopes (like ADSR), and effects.
The advantage about using rompler is their ease for the new user.
Its basicall a load of sample libraries, in a box.
Is the lack of sound source editing something to be ashamed of.??
They come with samples already loaded so you can focus on creating melodies.
The Orbit, for instance, contains samples of a Moog Modular, ARP 2500 and 2600, TR-808 and Fairlight CMI Ilx.
Popular early romplers include the Roland D-50 and the Korg M1.
Classic hardware romplers include the Roland JV-1080 and JD-990, Korg M1 and Triton, and E-mu Proteus series.
Popular software romplers, which can also be called sample-based synthesizers, are reFX Nexus, Spectrasonics Omnisphere, Native Instruments Kontakt, and UVI Falcon.
Modern hardware examples include the Korg Kronos and Wavestate.
Software
Flex - fruity loops
Nexus 3/4
KONTakt - native instruments
Roland Zenology
Steinberg HALion
Hardware
E-MU Proteus series
EMU orbit
Kurzweil K2000, K250,
Roland U-110
Roland sound canvas
Roland JV 1080
Roland JV 1010, 2028, etc
Roland JD 800, JD 900
Roland MC 303
Roland MC 505
Roland MC 808
Roland MC 909
Yamaha XG, tg55, mu50
Yamaha Tg 33
Yamaha motif
.jpg)
