> OMI released a 3-disc library, the first two volumes being OMI, and the 3rd disc being the NorthStar library. Is that correct?Correct - there were three discs, the so-called 'Universe of Sounds' - Volume 1, 2 and 3. The third disc was labelled "Northstar Gold".
The general opinion is that the best quality samples (most authentic, that is) is on the Northstar Volume (436 banks) - BUT the real gem is on the Volume 1: Here you'll find all the original EII-banks from E-mu - the Volume 1 is THE EII of the 80's!
> If you visit the page at http://www.northstarsamples.com/EIIFloppies.html - is this actually what was on the 3rd CDROM in that library?No - or at least: Not as is. The library listed at
http://www.northstarsamples.com/EIIFloppies.html is 507 floppies - the Volume 3 (Northstar Gold) is 436 banks. Maybe 436 was complete at the time the CD was put together?
> If I had these CDs (or images of them) will I be able to convert them somehow for use in some other sampler (EMXP software)? Yes, you will - PROVIDED the CDs are still holding it contentes (literally). I have all three volumes and have so far been able to convert Volume 2 and 3 to E3B (the format of EIII). I haven't tested yet (my studio is on the moving), but I assume E3B-banks can be read easily by Emulator X3 - which I have. NI Kontakt can also read E3B-banks - but naturally I haven't tested that either.
In case you wondered about the Volume 1 - this CD is facing a trouble here on my system, the dreaded CRC-error. I have hopes that the error can be remedied with a simple surface polish. The CRC error happens exactly at the same stage of the ISO-creation on different PC's. That brings hope of a scratch or something. The Volume 1 is actually known to have troubles, though...
In case I am not succesfully repairing my CD I hope the membership of this forum could put me in touch with other who own the CD and their copy is fine.