Rompler

A slang term given to sound modules that feature stock presets based on samples stored in ROM, but generally lack in-depth synthesis technology and sampling capabilities. The term is a conjunction of the terms ROM and Sampler. In the early 1990s, Romplers became quite popular due to the proliferation of the E-MU Proteus series sound modules and other efforts by competing manufacturers. Lending quick access to relatively high-quality sounds and voices meant that composers and song-writers did not have to be synth programmers or sampling wizards as well as musicians to achieve their musical goals.