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narf · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 9:00 am Post subject: New Roland Fantom 2019

https://youtu.be/p-nu9ma2988

https://www.roland.com/global/products/fantom_series/features/?lang=en-JM
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Jan1 · Platinum Member Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 765

I'm happy to see Roland coming out with a new workstation, and that the 88 key version has the PHA50 keybed.
The sampler seems to be a basic WAV file trigger, and the sequencer is clip based (something I did not like on my Fantom G) and intended for sketching only. It's a pity Roland did not take the criticism on the Fantom G to heart.

jimknopf · Platinum Member Joined: 17 Jan 2011 Posts: 3374

It's great they finally have their own workstation on the market again, as signal to the other manufacturers that there is a significant market to compete for, still deciding the whole reputation of a keyboard manufacturer.

It's just a pity, that despite being basically useable it just seems to be as half-baked, as it has become Roland signature since years. How could we seriously regard something as workstation, which does not offer proper user sampling to add instrument sample libraries? It's just a ROMpler with some more advanced factory sample handling/modelling then, is it? And are there really only 4x128 "scenes" (the overall performance patch category) in there? And in the manual I read: "Number of Samples: 16 Pads x 4 Banks". Seriously?

On the positive side, in the manual, the sequencer looks ok, and even does seem to have a piano roll.

Overall, this rather looks like another ok performance synth, than like an adult workstation remotely comparable with the Kronos.
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shefu · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 3:22 pm Post subject:

So Roland thought it would be best for their new workstation to be called the same as their old series (which wasn't that popular to begin with) and furthermore to make it look very similar to Yamaha's Montage.

I feel like Roland is run by a bunch of clowns and I say this as old school Roland fan.
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Musicwithharry · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 4:12 pm Post subject:

That new Roland Fantom sure looks like a Yamaha Montage...
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Mr_SamDoogie · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 7:06 pm Post subject:

This looks interesting as a workstation controller then a traditional workstation if you my drift.
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Bachus · Platinum Member Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 3126

Some remarks

- there seems to be no organ engine
- daw integration only with apple products logic and mainstage so far
- seems to be same sound engine as the jupiter X
- no super natural acoustic sounds? Would have been perfect for an all around workhorse keyboard
- only a faint rumor about future engine updates, but nothing confirmed

Also seems to be a very basic arp, the jupiter xm one looks to be much more advanced
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CharlesFerraro · Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 4:50 am Post subject:

Just like the Jupiter X, I can’t seem to find information on what synth capabilities the new Fantom has. The website says it has a piano engine, PCM, and virtual analog capabilities. Not really enough to pique my interest.

The Hydrasynth on the other hand... now THATS a synth!
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Broadwave · Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 9:19 am Post subject:

To be really honest... I was bought with the adage "If you can't say anything good, then don't say anything at all"

So... Umm... errr.

I'll keep the Kronos.
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Musicwithharry · Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 12:02 pm Post subject:

According to Roland's website, the information on the Fantom is somewhat cryptic.

Their site info on the Fantom has a V-Piano engine and the ZEN-Core engine.

From a review I read last evening, the V-Piano is full-polyphony. I am not sure what the ZEN-Core polyphony is.

It also says that the sampler is 8-voice polyphonic.

I am sure more details will emerge as it is released more.

Maybe they rushed it to market to quickly?

As I said before, it sure looks like a Montage....

Grace,
Harry
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Jan1 · Platinum Member Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 765

Musicwithharry · Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 12:42 pm Post subject:

With the SuperNatural sound references I have seen in this thread, I think that the SuperNatural piano would be negated because they have included the V-Piano engine. I think that the V-Piano engine would be superior to the SuperNatural pianos anyway...

With regard to the other sounds in the SuperNatural engine, maybe the new ZEN-Core is superior to that too. I read that the Zen-Core was for the synth stuff, but maybe it does more...

Maybe the PCM engine is superior to the SuperNatural engine, or maybe EVERYTHING in the new PCM engine is SuperNatural, so they did not label it as such....

I think that there is still a lot of speculation at this point because details are still forthcoming. Maybe Roland rushed this out a bit soon before releasing any true details. I am sure time will reveal what the synth has in it Smile

The last real Roland workstation I had was the XP60 and that was back in the 2000's. I have had JV880s in my studio for a long time (not now, though). I also had a VR-09 that was used for the Clonewheel features (which were great), but the SuperNatural piano was a bit underwhelming...

The only Roland boards I have in my studio now are a D-05 (gotta have one of those) and an old E-09 Arranger (which does not get used at all and is strictly a backup for my PA700 until I get another one of those, hopefully later this month).

I may have to add the JU06A to my list of 'wants' though. That looks pretty cool...

Grace,
Harry
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Bachus · Platinum Member Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 3126

CharlesFerraro · Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 4:28 pm Post subject: