Fantom G and OASYS

[MauroR]

I'm sure people will be comparing and asking questions. I have a few observations and opinions.

Is this the "OASYS Killer"? There are definitely some cool, cool features, but........no.

I really like the new 480 tppq sequencer and the number of FX routings (up to 22, I believe!) I won't lie - this looks killer and could be the best hardware sequencer, ever - 128 tracks, including 24 audio tracks and USB streaming. And, it works with a mouse. Nice. So far, I don't see any per track EQs, like the OASYS, but we'll see as more info comes out.

Someone asked if you could sing along with your guitar and route each to different tracks. The early answer seems to be "No." The OASYS can easily do that, along with a couple of other simultaneous instruments. I don't think the G can touch the O's routing/Bus system.

Sample set is 256 megs compressed to 128 megs @ 44.1khz. I'm kind of surprised because last year's Motif XS has a bigger wave ROM, at 355mb, supposedly losslessly compressed. The OASYS has lossless compression and around 1.1 gigs of sounds @ 48khz as standard. (Not including options like EXs3 brass.) It definitely trumps in sound quality.

Still missing from the Fantom G is some sort of VA synth. I have no idea if the filters have been improved. The big plus is that the ARX plugins have their own poly and architecture. Maybe the future has a VA in it. Maybe not. Right now, there are 2 cards - Electric Piano and Drums. The optional drum card's parameters appear to have V-Drums' type architecture. Very cool.

Projects and samples are RAM based and seem to be saved to USB 2 media, like Jump Drives. I don't know what the sample/audio track loading speed is. I'm guessing the OASYS' processor and internal hard drive are a lot faster. I've noted that samples loaded from the O's internal HD can load at a rate of about 700mbs in 30 seconds.

The 8.5" screen looks very nice and is big for a price that competes with the M3 line. It is not touch sensitive, but that would have raised the price. The M3 has a couple of aces with the X/Y screen functions and VA (radias) add on capability.


How do I feel about the OASYS, now? Really good. Though I hope there is further development and a sequencer update, I still think the sound quality is noticeably tops. (Now that I'm so used to it, I immediately notice a difference in other synths, though I've only heard the Fantom G in a video.)

Synthwise, no hardware, I can think of, touches the O. Most of you are already aware that the Organ model is great, as are the VAs, STR-1 and the incredible Mod-7. I find the HD-1, its filters and Wave Sequencing very expressive and clean. In Song/Combi mode, drums and synths can be routed to other synth engines. This old OASYS still does a lot of things that won't be challenged for a while.

I don't know about Project/Song mode, since it can use all FX sends, but Studio and Single modes on the G can switch and not get cutoff, because those modes don't use all the FX. The video shows some nice performance switchovers, with no cutoff. Poly is still 128, but up to 2 card plugins can add to that. It's kind of ashame that the plugins max out at two and there are no SRX slots.


There was another thread that was asking what synth would go good with an OASYS. I still think the V-Synth, because it offers a truly unique capability. However, those who compose on hardware could make a nice pairing with the G and the O. The G has a strong emphasis on composing and performance. Those who use software DAWs and sequencers are already set, though all those FX might be enticing.

It'd been weird if a Korg user talked well of a competitor. The Oasys costs almost 8000 euros my friend, how can you compared them? Come on, this is another "Roland sucks and Korg Rulez" thread.

[massivevst]

to give the point, now cost more less...7.699 euro....before was more than 9.000 euro...
http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSH ... =OfferList

the oasys 76 is much better...6999 now...
http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSH ... =OfferList

for that I gave back, because for this a LOT money MUST be included some amazing and professional SEQ too, ONLY sounds are NOT enough.
I'm happy with my simple Triton and mediastation...half price for buy 2 nice keyboards..
I have installed installed the Massive ( 190 euro) on mediastation and is sounds amazing!

http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSH ... =OfferList

Reaper ( 37 euro the license) gave me the all missing..
http://www.reaper.fm/

korg...8000 euros are a LOT of money...16 tracks recorder is NOT enough in this system.
Korg M3 can be a good choice...
regards
Gamper

[danatkorg]

The "mediastation" is a product from a small company called Lionstracs. Someone, presumably from that company, has previously trolled OASYS-related forums under assumed names, claiming that the OASYS had been cracked, making other negative claims of the OASYS vs. cheap software synths, etc. This newly registered "massivevst" poster looks similar, mentioning the "mediastation" in almost every post.

[danatkorg]

Also, while the user claims to be writing from Germany, their misuse of idioms seems much more like Italian - which is coincidentally (or not) the location of Lionstracs.

[Daz]

Also, while the user claims to be writing from Germany, their misuse of idioms seems much more like Italian - which is coincidentally (or not) the location of Lionstracs.

... and their IP address is also from Italy

Thanks for spotting this Dan. I believe you are correct that this user may be misrepresenting themselves on this forum and also promoting a product (i.e. spamming) on our forum without the owners/moderators permission.

massivevst please confirm your identity with the admin/moderators here ASAP.

Daz.

[sebbytriton]

Also, while the user claims to be writing from Germany, their misuse of idioms seems much more like Italian - which is coincidentally (or not) the location of Lionstracs.

... and their IP address is also from Italy

Thanks for spotting this Dan. I believe you are correct that this user may be misrepresenting themselves on this forum and also promoting a product (i.e. spamming) on our forum without the owners/moderators permission.

massivevst please confirm your identity with the admin/moderators here ASAP.

Daz.

Just for this reason......... KF is a great forum !
Music quality is just the right thing for sure !!!!!!

[massivevst]

Hi!

Here in Munich you can find some more MEDIASTATION.......
as an OASYS.........

that the point......to buy and use MEDIASTATION.......

and I'm talkin' not only about the flexibility.....
about VST-Plugins, .....also LINUX-sampler and a great audio-player
and style-player.

You understand!

[thekeymaster]

[
It'd been weird if a Korg user talked well of a competitor. The Oasys costs almost 8000 euros my friend, how can you compared them? Come on, this is another "Roland sucks and Korg Rulez" thread.

Oh dear,oh dear.

Ok I know we can all be protective sometimes of our acquisitions but Korg forums and especially the OASYS forum contains some of the most appreciative synth and hi tech people I've congregated with on the net.The vast majority of users here never spout out the kind of utter rubbish found on other certain forums I could mention.We respect each other,we respect ALL hardware and software companies and we value competition.We do our best to provide constructive and informed opinions,we don't bleat on like children and entice argument....."My synths better than your synth.." tripe.

I am going to say it.... the Fantom G looks to be a really nice workstation,I will purchase one,it has features which Korg and all the other companies out there could learn from but it will never be perfect.The OASYS certainly is'nt but the OASYS does many things the G could only dream about doing . Am I saying Korg "Rules!!!!" and Roland "Sucks",no I'm not and no one here would.

We want to see competition,we want to see new,exciting products,we value the big 3 trying to push each other because in the end the winner will always be US,the consumer and synth/hi tech customer (plus the companies profits ).

I look forward to more constructive debate in regard to the Fantom G and how it will help all OASYS/Korg/Yamaha/Liontracs/etc etc customers and not alienate them.

[Daz]

You understand!

What I don't understand is how one of your post's above is from an Italian IP and then an hour or so later you post from a German IP. You do understand why that seems curious to us ?

So please verify your identity with us offline.

Daz.

[thekeymaster]

I think you could make it to Italy from Munich in just over an hour........ but somehow I don't think thats what's happening is it.

[Mike Conway]

It'd been weird if a Korg user talked well of a competitor. The Oasys costs almost 8000 euros my friend, how can you compared them? Come on, this is another "Roland sucks and Korg Rulez" thread.

Ahem...you obviously don't know me. I have been a lot of things user......As you see, I'm playing my original Fantom 76, in this shot:





I've been with Roland for a while, so I have a keen interest in the G and what it means to my OASYS. With the exception of my Yamaha SY99, I composed most of my songs on Roland synths. I loved the smallness of the XP50; I took it everywhere. I love Phrase Sequencing and RPS.



My post above is a comparison. I'll sum it up: The Fantom G sequencer kicks ass! Please, put that on my OASYS, because nothing can touch the combination of all the O's synths and bus routings! That's why I said that hardware types may like to combine the two.

I also am a huge fan of Access and E-MU, among others.

[thekeymaster]

I dont think you have enough hardware in that first shot Mike

and mighty impressive software in the second buddy.....

[Mike Conway]

I dont think you have enough hardware in that first shot Mike

You're right, I left out some rack synths!



Notice at the top - one of my most powerful weapons: Alesis NanoBass!

[MartinHines]

that the point......to buy and use MEDIASTATION.......

You should tell Liontracs that if they ever want to even hope to sell keyboards in the U.S. they need a U.S. Distributor and need to place units in the stores of U.S. retailers. Very few (if any) U.S. customers will ever be willing to buy a workstation just because it runs the Linux OS.

Also, Liontracs needs to hire a native English speaker to translate their webpages into proper English. The current webpages create an unfavorable impression for an English-speaking customer.

Finally, it seems strange that Liontracs claims their product is superior to any Korg product, but Liontracs sell a "The Best of Korg Triton" soundbank:
http://www.lionstracs.com/store/giga-triton-p-184.html

[thekeymaster]

Holy Crap!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its a treasure trove of gear......is your house like the "Pet Cemetery" of the Keyboard world or what???