Will the New Fantom Motivate Korg ?

Jan1 · Post by **Jan1** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 2:33 pm

I agree with the points of criticism mentioned in the review, and I think Roland never should have released the Fantom in its current state.
I can't believe they have actually been working on it since 2011 and then suddenly decided to release it with a nineties type of ROM for acoustic emulations and an incomplete sequencer that is of no practical use to me.
And I am not a Roland hater, quite the opposite.
But for me to consider buying this Fantom it will take more than just one major update, not only in terms of adding other engines but also in upgrading the sequencer by adding linear tracks among other things.
And then there are the reports of complete crashes...it's not wise to release an instrument prematurely.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 4:10 pm

I don't consider myself nit picky, but Fantom seems to be falling short in important areas . The on board SEQ is 1 example for me.

Roland , IMO, has to get a revised and thorough OS implemented very soon. Thats the solution to maintain interest.

It is curious about the business thought process of Roland management.
They are testing brand loyalty from what I see.

Many musicians are demanding of perfection. And also impatient [ I fit this ] if something doesn't work as promoted.

And there is the Internet.

Plus so many have perfect hindsight.

jimknopf · Post by **jimknopf** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 9:11 pm

Gigging musicians simply can't afford that degree of half-baked.

Some home studio Roland addicts will play around with the limited possibilities and sounds. I wish them well. But if Roland is serious, they should
- improve the OS really fast
- deliver a complete set of overall sound content worth writing home about really fast

Or the new Fantom will sink like another Roland "flagship" with some big holes in it. It is ridiculously expensive for a device not ready for market.

Jan1 · Post by **Jan1** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 9:12 pm

2020 is a nice number, 9 years after the workstation with 9 engines.
I have some hope KORG may come up with a nice surprise, in spite of the nagging doubt that they will follow the Intel route and produce yet another minor variation on the old familiar theme.
KORG knows how to build a workstation and maybe they will surprise us again.

Jan1 · Post by **Jan1** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 9:42 pm

jimknopf wrote:Gigging musicians simply can't afford that degree of half-baked.

Some home studio Roland addicts will play around with the limited possibilities and sounds. I wish them well. But if Roland is serious, they should
- improve the OS really fast
- deliver a complete set of overall sound content worth writing home about really fast

Or the new Fantom will sink like another Roland "flagship" with some big holes in it. It is ridiculously expensive for a device not ready for market.

There's nothing I'd love to see more than Roland following through with a series of important updates, but considering their track record for supporting instruments in the past I won't spend any money based on rumors of future expansions and upgrades.

Devnor · Post by **Devnor** » Mon Nov 18, 2019 9:14 pm

jimknopf wrote:Gigging musicians simply can't afford that degree of half-baked.

Fantom already being used on TV (The Voice). Ed Diaz gigs with his Fantom. Other users on FB group posting pics of their Fantom on the gig. I could do a typical 80s coverband with just Fantom if I wanted. It's not as crippled as you think.

An artist never blames his tools. Even with legacy PCM there's an all new VA synth plus a fantastic new filter, step LFOs and osc structures. Combine these elements in different ways to create sounds. It's very easy to create evocative, moving textures with Fantom. I have a cool new scene called Carrying No Cross. It's the beginning of the UK tune on the Fantom. Takes 4 hands to play it and someone else to mix it but it's got that haunting stuttering CS80 effect, the organ isn't quite right(LOL) but it works and ends with string layers and the reverse piano & John Wetton's voice triggered from the pad. It does not sound exactly like Eddie's recording in 1978 but that scene could easily open the tune for a tribute band with the aid of the sequencer. The same sequencer Jan1 thinks has "no practical use".

There's another update coming soon. Maybe just bug fix.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Mon Nov 18, 2019 9:29 pm

I did some gigs this year with just an AX-Edge. All those sounds are in the Fantom, though with a lot more editing/controls/split-layers, etc. So I'm sure I could gig with that too!

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Mon Nov 18, 2019 10:07 pm

Its a free market. Just because I [ and others] am on the fence on Fantom does not apply to those who want it yesterday.

we all have our reasons for right now yesterday and wait around for 2 months.
I understand that sense of right and wrong or what makes sense etc. Or what happened 5 or 10 years with Roland, etc etc.

If the kid next door got a $4000 Fantom today, that wouldn't change my mind. Even if he gets 5 million hits on YouTube tomorrow.

And with todays retail, return privileges , I don't believe anyone has hurt themselves by buying a new expensive keyboard from a solid retailer and returning it in 30 days.

Jan1 · Post by **Jan1** » Sat Nov 23, 2019 9:17 pm

Interesting to note is that the Fantom has come down in price, here in Europe the Fantom 8 now costs almost 3500 Euros, 500 Euros less than the initial price.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Sat Nov 23, 2019 10:55 pm

for advertised in US, the 88 is still $3999 for factory new. Same on eBay.

But retailers might be dealing , a whisper street price.

And due to the time of year, they are tossing a variety of incentives.
which is normal and applicable to many high price purchases.

ITguy54 · Post by **ITguy54** » Tue Nov 26, 2019 8:14 pm

Jan1 wrote:2020 is a nice number, 9 years after the workstation with 9 engines.
I have some hope KORG may come up with a nice surprise, in spite of the nagging doubt that they will follow the Intel route and produce yet another minor variation on the old familiar theme.
KORG knows how to build a workstation and maybe they will surprise us again.

Or maybe I should buy a used 88 key OASYS on Ebay. They are a lot less expensive than a Kronos. There's some loaded ones out there.

John01W · Post by **John01W** » Wed Nov 27, 2019 12:29 am

Seems all Korg Kronos' are on sale right now $500 off!

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Wed Nov 27, 2019 12:53 am

John01W wrote:Seems all Korg Kronos' are on sale right now $500 off!

Us only

For 8 days

88 is $3299 net

8 yrs ago I paid $2975

theshinenz · Post by **theshinenz** » Sat Nov 30, 2019 1:25 am

https://www.facebook.com/jordanrudessof ... 702263587/

Jordan trying out the new Fantom.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Sat Nov 30, 2019 3:25 am

theshinenz wrote:https://www.facebook.com/jordanrudessof ... 702263587/

Jordan trying out the new Fantom.

what did you think of the audio quality of the recording ?