Hello everyone. I was able to speak to Roland personally, and they confirmed to me that the Roland Fantom is in the category of "Workstation." I do apologize for the confusion.

@ablesam

2 жыл бұрын

Then I believe I owe you an apology first of all. Now I am a bit doubtful about FANTOM's future. Guess it is a successor to the FA in some regard. It is placed in the category of 'Workstation', yet is called a synthesizer. Would love to hear your answer as you spoke with Roland. Please fill me in.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

It was a simple email really I said: Hello, My name is Darrick Keels and I have a KZread channel in which the Roland Fantom is featured. On your website and official KZread page videos Roland calls the Fantom a synthesizer or creative hub but never a workstation. Does Roland consider the Fantom a workstation? I really do not want to spread misinformation. They Replied: Hello Darrick, You can use Workstation - if you go to our website, click on "PRODUCTS" at the top of the page and then click on "SYNTHESIZERS" you can see there is a section labelled "PERFORMANCE / WORKSTATIONS" and the FANTOM and FANTOM-0 series are both in this section. Roland Customer Support My only real issue with the response is that the Ax-Edge is listed under the same category. Is that a workstation with no sequencer? I believe even the Integra-7 is under the same broad "workstation" category. But all of that is irrelevant, if the official word from Roland is that the new Fantom and Fantom-0 series are indeed workstations then that's what they are. Regardless of what features I believe a workstation should have automatically (like a linear sequencer, more than 2 time signatures [at launch]) Roland is the boss on what categories their product belongs in.

@ablesam

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 Agree, but now, this makes sense with Roland abandoning production-based workflows (production workflow is basically trying to cram a DAW in a keyboard) and moving toward creative workflows (basically, this workflow helps you to be creative and minimizes sequencing functionality to be easier to use and also help in the creation of songs for producers, composers, songwriters, etc) as they had done in the FA. At least they should make that intention clear, as many expect the sequencing functionality to be improved over the Fantom-G or Kronos but are disappointed when they realize it isn't, despite FANTOM being the latest flagship keyboard from the big three. Tbh, Roland's reply still doesn't answer a lot of questions, maybe I should ask Roland Japan. They built the board, and they seem to know a bit more about where FANTOM is placed. The term workstation goes to any keyboard that has the functionality of a tone generation engine, sequencer and a keybed. Any keyboard that has these is automatically classified as a workstation. Modern workstations tend to have sampling functionality alongside the other features previously mentioned. Roland should've labelled FANTOM 'Creative Workstation' or something to not set up people's expectations. Anyhow, there is no clear explanation of what Roland is doing here. In Japan, they announce this as a flagship synthesizer and in the western world, they announce it as a workstation. What is going on? Anyway, Darrick, appreciate your post, in conversation FANTOM will be a workstation, but personally, a performance synth, seeing as that is how the developers originally designed it. But Roland's marketing and sales departments decide how they want to display it to the public and nothing we can do to change that. Have fun. God Bless.

@mpmi7588

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 I dont run a youtube page so a response to me may not come or may come at a super later time but do you think you could find out if the new Fantom 0 has the same exact sample engine/functions as the FANTOM? This is a decision factor for me. Thanks for clearing up the Workstation vs synth notion.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

@@mpmi7588 No the Fantom-0 does not have all of the same sounds engines or tonal capabilities as the Fantom. The V-Piano sound engine is not available on the Fantom-0 series. Also the new wave table sound engine N'zyme is not available for the Fantom-0. This is likely due to the power underneath the hood. The Fantom has 4 proprietary Behavior Modeling Chips in it that handle all of the sounds and effects. The Fantom-0 has 2 chips. Also the legacy expansion packs for the Jupiter 8 synth engine, SH101, Juno-106, JX-3P etc can be downloaded for free with the Fantom. You have to buy each one separately if you want them for the Fantom-0 for $150 per. In other words if you plan on buying 7 packs, you are better off getting the Fantom. Also the Fantom has more memory so it can hold more expansions simultaneously. With that said. Both keyboards are Zencore based and so the majority of the sounds are indeed identical. But as Roland brings out more expansions I believe the gulf between the two boards will be more evident. The Fantom has twice the processing power and Roland will certainly utilize that horsepower.

I REALLY appreciate these deep dives. It makes it so much easier to make an informed decision. Thank you!

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

That's good to hear! That's why I do them.

@mysticakhenaton1701

2 жыл бұрын

Cristian, I wish I had ALL this info growing up in the 80's. you can get ALOT of Music info/Knowledge, here on KZread/Videos. from learning to play just about any instrument. to learning Music Theory. all for FREE. before the 2000's. you went to Music School/had to pay a teacher. or the Library to get all this Knowledge.

Thank you sooo much ,av been looking for this for sometime 🙏

Great video sir. Awesome detailed breakdown of instrument… Keep up the great work

Great, great demonstration!! Thank you!!

Very good and comprehensive video - probably the best I've seen about the Fantom. Subscribed of course!

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching!

Thanks for informing instructions

Great video thanks for sharing.

Great Video, Roland has done very well with their updates of the Fantom. I am very impress with the DAW controls. The UI looks very friendly. Roland maybe just scratching the surface with this synth. I have the Fantom. FA76 , Fantom S88 and 6 SR expansion cards. I passed on it because, the Virtual software has caught up.

Awesome video & You play the piano so well and it sounds nice....I LIKE!!!

Thank you for showing the connectivity. Not very many do that

Really helpful. Thanks

Very good video, thank you. The 'joy to use' factor is key with these kind of keyboards. It looks very tempting.

What an astonishing instrument !! I have Fa 08 and love it to bits.

@darrickkeels6387

Жыл бұрын

Indeed it is

Thanks for this video you are awesome. Your having done this video made my choice much easier.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching!

Great job!!!! Thank you

Great video! Thanks

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching!

I have the Fantom-8 and it works beautifully in tandem with all of the VIs I used in Logic. The PHA-50 keybed is the best I’ve played

I have been waiting for a video like this. Thank you! I am on the fence and have been since the new Fantom was released. Have a G6 & G8 and still finding new ways to use them but this new Fantom with that VCF and 3 USB's being just a few of the features it has grabbed me. I also use phrase clips and samples in my music so the sequencer and work flow looks like something I would like. Would miss some of the sampling features and skip back so your video has moved me closer to a new F7. I'll sell the G6 & keep my G8.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

It's really an awesome keyboard. For me personally a linear sequencer is not important most of the time. I use Ableton Live for most sequencing. I also use Akai's MPC One for sequencing and sampling. In other words I have options. But the Fantom has really taken over my studio😄. The DAW integration with Ableton is simply magnificent. I am a songwriter and sometimes I need to get an idea down quickly before the inspiration leaves me. The Fantom is perfect for this. I turn it on and start recording. I am putting out better quality music, and doing it at a faster rate then I ever have. This is simply due to the enhancement in workflow. With a laptop, microphone, and Fantom, I can produce a song with no other gear needed. My Korg Kronos and MPC One do not have combo jacks with phantom power so connecting my studio mic to them is not an option. The Kronos has no piano roll so, editing MIDI data is a real pain. Something as simple a bringing up the hi hats in a mix is incredibly arduous. And then for live performances the Fantom is great at controlling other gear. At a glance I can tell which channels are internal and which ones are external. Connecting my Montage to it is really a breeze. The added functionality of having pads makes live performances that much easier. So it has become my workhorse. I will be keeping all of my other gear as they play important roles. But my main go to board for live and studio work has become the Fantom.

@freddiesamples

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 Thanks for this I think this pushed me off the fence for that Fantom 7, I’ll keep the G8.

Excellent video. You clarified alot of misconceptions I had about this instrument. I have a Juno DS 61 that I plan on using for a few more years. I think you have alot of talent.

Yeahhh Darrick we wanna see you lol, great video as always man

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

I show myself in videos every now and then lol!

Darrick, you literally have a brain the size of a planet, how you always figure out every high end flagship synth down to the smallest details is beyond me. Thanks for explaining the Fantom in such detail - not to mention USE CASES which most reviewers fail to deliver on. It's always about how you use it, and not how many fancy features it got. I ended up with the Yamaha Montage myself, and the choice was between Kronos 2, Fantom and the Yamaha Montage, it was SUCH a hard choice. I am still having the Fantom inside my mind (one year later after the Montage), but your video convinced me I'm better off just sticking with my Montage (not all of us can afford all of those at the same time ya know), but from what I see - people with the Fantom can stick with their Fantom and be perfectly happy, same for Kronos and Yamaha Montage owners, just stick with your flagships, these are complex beasts - learn to use them well...and they will serve you well.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the compliment! Yup the Montage is incredibly powerful and is definately the right choice for many keyboard players. Truthfully with Ableton live and any of my keyboards I could get any job done both studio and live. Technically I could do without Ableton Live but I'd have to implement a ton of workarounds but it can be done. I am the weakest link in the chain of my gear. It's far more capable than I am. It's the musician that makes the gear shine not the other way around. Question...what made you pick the Montage over the others?

@joonglegamer9898

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 Price, availability and the fact my experience with Yamaha keyboards over the many years since the 80s leads me back to the fact that these rarely if ever fails when you need them the most. And advanced FM sound shaping capabilities in Hardware done right (FM-X, stereo FM sound with now Morphing interface made working with FM sound creation THAT much easier), plus you have an AWM2 synth all-in-one unit, what more can you ask for? I got a Second hand (never used, actually) Montage for 1750$ With sample robot unregistered (the previous owner hadn't even used or registered his Yamaha), and the Roland Fantom was 3000$ at the time, could have gotten the Kronos 2 for 2200$ and it was the second most tempting option since it can do so much, but it's very old and since I work with computers for a living I know that computer-horsepower is everything so overall...boot time, less failures, more reliability + FM-X unmatched capabilites all weighted up my choices. Still - I would never belittle or frown upon others choices for getting a Fantom or Kronos, just say - hey it's their choice, chose what is best for you.

Thanks so much for the awesome video Darrick 📹.. very nicely done ✔ 👏. I do have one of these and love it. It is an awesome addition to my arsenal. One irritation though...when someone buys one of the Flagship synths you shouldn't have to pay even more for the Cloud membership! That's a sore spot with me and probably won't buy another Roland product. Actually, this one is all you need....lol. Mark Bensette Aux Bois 🇨🇦.

The Roland Fantom G is one of the best when it comes to audio and midi.The best visually in my opinion when it came to looking like a computer daw.That was a daw in a box.

@derricklyles6918

Жыл бұрын

I 💯 agree with you the best

I recently pulled the trigger on the Fantom in December and I quite like it as it compliments the Kronos. I’m really digging the Juno and Jupiter models.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

It compliments the Kronos quite well!

@1234567sophia

2 жыл бұрын

Does Kronos arranging I need "Walking Bass" like Gary Peacock for Blues

@1970jasand

2 жыл бұрын

@@1234567sophia not sure what your question is, but Kronos has arpreggiators or “Karma” that kinda works like an arranger, but you may need to program it to what you need.

I love my Fantom 6. It’s a beautiful workstation. I produced and released 5 albums in just 3 months on it. My artist name is Roger Bonner. It hand some major features that Roland implemented to solidify my buying it as my first Workstation. It’s inter connectivity is wonderful. I had the Korg for a few days and had to return it, it was a nightmare.

@XPJV

2 жыл бұрын

Comparing korg & roland, the korg is just a nightmare!

@TeleporterM11

2 жыл бұрын

@@XPJV The Korg has good sounds it’s just all the interface was a nightmare it still haunts me. Saving and opening back kits was just impossible.

Just started watching this ,as a fantom owner I been waiting for this one

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

I wait quite awhile before making a video on a keyboard. I like to use them live a lot and in the studio making music so that when I give feedback it's as accurate as possible. Often when something is "new" it's the best thing ever. After owning it a while it's shortcomings become more apparent. But the Fantom is a solid magnificent choice and I recommend it to anyone especially to a person who play gospel. Thanks for stopping by the channel again. Always appreciate it!

@reggieblessedhandz1293

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 I got bashed alot by motif owners asking why I got the fantom over the montage for gospel , I love the fantom ,I wish I had the Nord but the fantom is a excellent board

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

@@reggieblessedhandz1293 Yeah the Motif was (is) the king of the Gospel world. Just seems like every single church has one. But as the Motif begins to show its age, people and churches are starting to update their keyboards. Lots of people are Yamaha "fans." Other people are Roland "fans." Still other Korg or Kurzweil. However, I personally have no brand loyalty😂. I will buy whatever I think will get the job done. I think it's always good to kind of shop around. You can be pleasantly surprised by what another brand has to offer. I do see Nord really going after the Gospel and church community. It's smart to do business wise as churches have "live performances" every single week often times multiple times per week. The church's musicians will often buy a keyboard as well as the church also.

@reggieblessedhandz1293

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 you're absolutely right imo Yamaha has been recycling the same sounds since the original motif and it works but Nord definitely is the new motif imo now as far as gospel goes but like u said it's all personal preference

@geoffk777

2 жыл бұрын

@@reggieblessedhandz1293 I'm no a Gospel musician, but it seems to me that you'd want a really good organ on whatever you buy. The Kronos, Kurzweil 2700 and Roland (and Nord, of course) all have excellent organs, with dedicated engines and a lot of customization and live drawbars. The Montage has some Ok organ samples, but it doesn't have a separate engine and it isn't in the same league. Of course, the pianos and EPs on the Yamaha are excellent, but the others are good in that area also.

I really applaud you for all the great knowledge, depth review and the time spent to put this together to share it with us. I know nothing about piano (yet) I recently bought Roland FP-60X to start teaching myself through videos. Seeing your video it’s such a great vibe. God bless you brother.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Thank you for this info (PTL)🙏

This video is the most important in making purchase decisions on a Fantom.

Októberben vettem a Fantom 7-et, és nagyon tetszik. Kezdetben, amikor 2019-ben megjelent, csalódott voltam, mert nem volt más, mint egy FA csak egy szebb csomagban, de aztán nem volt egyetlen SuperNaturális hang, és a multisample nem volt betölthető, így a belső motor kevesebbet tudott, mint egy Roland FA. Ma a hangok széles választéka van. Imádom a modellbővítési bővítményeket. A kedvenceim a Jupiter 8 és a Juno 106, de a JX8p és az SH-101 is nagyon szuperek. N / Zyme is szuper, de kevesebbet használhatom. Amit a legjobban szeretek, az az, hogy be tudom programozni a hangokat, és amit eddig csak a MODX8-zal tudtam megtenni külső hangmintákkal, azt Fantom Zen-Core és Modell bővítéssel programozhatom. Nincs elég 2 GB belső tárhelyem, de ha belegondolok, alig van rá szükségem. Az új Modellbővítő készletek miatt csak néhány digitális szintetizátor hangot és néhány dobmintát mentettem. Az SRX kiterjesztések sok helyet foglalnak el, de ha van valami olyan jó benne, nem sajnálom, hogy néhányat törölni kell. Az egyik dolog, ami bosszant, hogy nem készítek saját arpeggiót. Az arpeggio a Fantom haszontalan része. A klip alapú szekvenszer sem rossz, de a jelenlegi 64 intézkedés legfeljebb 256 lehetett. Szóval remélem, lesz egy normális arpeggio és egy pár új hiányzó SuperNatural hangok és én leszek teljesen boldog.

When the Fantom came out in 2019, I wasn't convinced. Zen Core just seemed like a development from the Supernatural tones on the Integra 7 and older Rolands (and was available through Zenology Pro also). The only standout feature was the V-Piano engine--but that was on the much cheaper RD-2000 stage piano. 3 years later, I feel much differently--so much so that I recently bought a Fantom 8. What is key is that Roland has continued tp develop, expand and improve the Fantom platform with their new releases. First they added sampling and multi-sampling. Then they added model expansions (instrument plugouts) for classic instruments. This not only matched the Jupiter-X/Xm series, but was uniquely powerful, allowing up to 16 of these to be layered or splt at once. Next was a dedicated organ expansion to rivel the Kronos CX engine. They also added the complete Roland historical library, with all of the SRX expansion cards and SuperNatural pianos and EPs. They improved the DAW integration and added more DAWs (notably, Ableton). And, recently, they've added unique wavetable and digital synthesis with the N'Zyme expansion. All of these expansions can be loaded at once and used in any combination. At this point, the Fantom is incredibly powerful, flexible and versitile and it sounds great. Like the RD-2000, the panel and action make it a superb MIDI controller keyboard, and it can really be the centerpiece of any stage or studio layout. The screen and build quality are excellent, and the panel lighting is very helpful on stage. I still love the sounds and playing expressiveness of the Montage, but the Fantom now gives it a close run, and is probably more practical as a master keyboard (and has far more workstation capability). The Kurzweil K2700 also has some unique sounds, and is worth considering as an option. But the Fantom would probably be my first recommendation now for any serious professional keyboardist.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Wow! I never knew you purchased a Fantom. Did you get the 6, 7 or 8?

@geoffk777

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 I got the 8. It was a replacement for my RD-2000 (which I sold), so I wanted the PHA-50 action and full keyboard.

@playdeebug4400

2 жыл бұрын

Are you saying that the SRX sounds are in the fantom? Or there is a way to get them into the fantom? I emailed roland a week ago and asked them if you can get the SRX library into the fantom and they said no

@geoffk777

2 жыл бұрын

@@playdeebug4400 I don't know who you talked to, but yes, all of the SRX cards are free downloads for the Fantom from the Axial website or Roland Cloud.

@playdeebug4400

2 жыл бұрын

@@geoffk777 i saw them on roland cloud but they were saying those are vst plugins for your desktop daw. Have you actually added the srx library to your fantom?

Thank you mist helpful

Outstanding video, thanks for putting it together and sharing for all of us to learn.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching. I appreciate it!

Thank you for this complete video, very clear and dedicated to people who is looking for a first high gama synth. I see you have a Kronos and a Nord Stage 3. I am looking for a machine for soundtrack, ambient and synth wave music. Which one would fit better in your opinion ?

I would love one and really want one but find it way out of my price range. I'm happy with Roland Cloud for the time being.

You gotta start putting timestamps on your videos my friend! Really helpful! Keep up the good work!

By the way, I really like these educational videos. A Fantom may not in my future but these sessions school people why they should/should not get one. Thanks for taking the time.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Matthew! It is always nice to see you stopping by the channel.

@MobileMusic

2 жыл бұрын

You could look FANTOM-0 which has the exact same UI but cheaper with lesser hardware/tone specs.

Korg PA is kinda my dream keyboard but Roland really packs it in some ways. I have the Juno DS88 but it’s a little big and heavy for gigging to me. I’m trying the midi controller route but got to get better at all the things I like to use. When I think about all the things I want in a keyboard which is a midi controller workstation arranger 😃 the kurzweil and fantom are the closest keyboards.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Nothing wrong with the MIDI controller route in all honesty. Do what works for you. Thanks for stopping by my channel again, I appreciate it.

I didn't last long with it. Features-wise, build quality is no problem whatsoever. But it felt like I was using a JV1080 and the SRX modules. The sounds just didn't cut it for me. I think Roland has been selling the same sounds for decades and just repackaging them into different hardware.

@darrickkeels6387

Жыл бұрын

Indeed they have!

@marcusholder495

3 күн бұрын

A very wise person has spoken ​@@darrickkeels6387

I love my Fantom! 👍👍👍 It's a workstation. The headphone jack in the back was a smart idea- you won't hit the plug and bend the jack when in the front! --- One thing you didn't cover is the adjustable filters using the touch-screen.

I just got the new Fantom 0 it’s a beast!!!!!!!!!

Hi Darrick really enjoyable and informative video thanks for taking time to create and post it. Got some cash to burn - just waiting to see if korg will release new Kronos in 2022, if not will definitely look more at Fantom rather than Montage thanks to this video (nothing wrong with montage but fantom seems to tick more boxes although don’t like the Roland cloud concept) also looking at the Kurzweil k2700 which has just landed in stock in Uk - both priced boards between £2500-3000, with Kronos 2 about same price. Spoilt for choice nowadays but prices on boards rising so fast montage 61 key was well under £2000 last year now pushing £2500 in Uk . Weird times take care

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah keyboards are certainly going up on price due to worldwide conditions. I'd be surprised if Korg comes out with a new flagship in 2022 because they just launched the Nautilus. I believe the Nautilus is a placeholder while they finish their new true flagship kind of like the FA series of workstations was a placeholder while Roland finished the new Fantom. They started working on the new Fantom in 2011 actually. If Korg launches something new, I hope it is a complete remake from the ground up. Much like Yamaha did with the Motif to Montage. I guess we will see. No one knows what's happening except for Korg.

@marcusholder495

3 күн бұрын

​@@darrickkeels6387very much true 👍🏽

I want a Phantom 8.....and I will have it someday.

Thanks for the nice video !!!! I love the practical aspects that are often omitted from other "sound oriented" reviews..... Just knowing that the keybed is going to make it impossible to play when kids are asleep is GOLD INFO !!!! One regret, you did not mention about midi Since I plan to move from kronos to fantom as a main keyboard, I have a question for you. I would definitly miss the KARMA that I use often to come up with new arrangement ideas. HOW easy would it be to midi control the Fantom and pass on karma to it ?

@darrickkeels6387

Жыл бұрын

Yes you can.

Also you have changed my mind about getting a Yamaha Montage 7. I may just seek out the phantom or Both.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

What do you like better about the Fantom?

Man I've been tempted several times to move on from my Kronos to the Fantom. The DAW integration, amazing updates, great synth sections, great external MIDI integration. But every time I'm at a studio that has a Fantom the EPs, Pianos, and acoustic instruments (strings, brass, etc.) just don't cut it for me yet. I love the EPs on my Kronos too much. Plus with the Kronos being discontinued I hope Korg surprises us all with something this year at NAMM. I just don't see the Nautilus being the flagship since it is just a Kronos engine without A LOT of things keys players love (after touch, faders, etc.)

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

In all honesty there is no reason to make the switch. The Kronos is still more powerful. Where the Kronos struggles is in the DAW integration and user interface areas. Having only two audio channels out via USB makes multitracking to a DAW impossible. But it wasn't made to work with DAWs but by itself. Using its sampler and sequencer is a pain for me now because I've grown accustomed to using Ableton Live and the MPC One. Everything just takes longer on the Kronos. But it can get the job done if called upon. I mainly use the Kronos for its sound engines and as a live gigging keyboard. The setlist feature is still amongst the best in the industry. I would be very surprised if Korg unveiled a new flagship this year. But I'd also be surprised if they didn't unveil something by 2024. With their new synths like the Wavestate and OP-1, I could see them compiling some stuff together with an up-to-date modern user interface like the Korg Gadget. What I really wonder is if it will be a "Workstation." Yamaha and Roland have conceded and have decided not to try competing against DAWs but working with them. Neither Fantom or Montage have full featured sequencers. And neither call their flagship a workstation. I think the Nautilus is a placeholder for Korg much like the FA series of workstations was for Roland. By stripping the controls and taking away aftertouch they can save money and increase profit. Also by removing Karma they no longer have to pay the licensing fee to the company that owns that technology. That money can then be used to launch their new flagship but only time will tell.

@isaacfanai2006

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 yeah I agree, it seems like the whole “workstation” idea is becoming not obsolete but less and less useful. With the DAWs and the younger generation coming up. I know a lot of people who still love full blown sequencers on their boards but things like Ableton Live have become such a standard now for live performance. I don’t see companies moving that direction with the whole stand alone keyboard workstation anymore.

@SubliminalThaKid

2 жыл бұрын

Kronos maybe powerful thats because it had 7 synth engines. I still think Fantom is way way way better. I got close to 9,000 presets on my Fantom and thats from the free expansions and the 99 cent packs.

@tjsound1258

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 You suggest there’s no reason to switch. But what would you suggest to someone in a position to acquire ONE, and must make a choice. I’m a retired music educator. I am upgrading my modest studio. According to Jordan Rudess, the Nautilus is definitely NOT the beast the Kronos is. Even if Korg was not discontinuing it, the 32bit OS is certainly not future proof. I do use Pro Tools and Davinci 17. I am looking at Ableton Live. My first instrument is the guitar, but I also enjoy the bass, drums, and have performed as a keyboardist in many varied gigs. I’m very interested in acquiring one of these two, or perhaps the Montage. As a one and only, what do you suggest?

@mateythegreat1399

2 жыл бұрын

@@tjsound1258 Kronos is an oldy But hell it is the bestie beasty. the GUI is bad and a pain but it can be fixed by an app on an iPad. I tried every synth I could lay my hands on them nothing I mean NOTHING comes close to this monster of workstation in digital realm

If you look the control and the gate then you automatically need a rack of what was the control and gate source then if you plug both then you dont need these anymore inputs and outputs that depends on your instantly choice ..

Hey Darrick bud. I finally got my Fantom 8 and I'm loving it!! one thing that I'm unable to understand is filters. For example, on track #1 I have a Bass sound with some filter effects appilied to it, and when I first play it, it sounds great just like I want it, but when I replay it inside a pattern it gets distorted sometimes. The same thing happens if I have multiple tracks with different filters applied to their sounds. What am I doing wrong here?

Andy Pimblott from Roland has a couple of videos demoing the Fantom, and he calls it a *_synthesizer workstation._* Makes sense to me. Search KZread for _Make it Roland Fantom_ and _Roland Fantom Synthesizer Workstation._ Thanks so much for an excellent video!

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Yes. I pinned a comment saying I contacted Roland and they confirmed they consider it a workstation even thought they label it a synthesizer.

Hello, Darrick! This was a great presentation, cleared up most of my questions about this board. I am a rock band keyboardist and I am considerating buying a Fantom for live playing, so I have a question. Does the controller section of the synth have the ability to connect two pedal switches, one to be set to go up the scene chain and the other to go down? I am asking this since on the Korg Kronos and Nautilus you can only choose to go either up or down via the switch, and I want to be able to do both, on different switches (or on a double switch pedal, like the Boss FS6 or FS7. Thank you for your presentation and your answer!

Good eye👍🏾

Yeah it's me again John I did clean it with some electrical cleaner cuz I said I had a lot of buttons or things were not working and I got about 80% of it going but I'm still having like I said glitches some of the guys say you can't find a parts at the roland website

Darrick Thanks for your detailed review. With your broad familiarity with keyboards which keyboard is best for just playing? Playing in cover band. Piano, organ, pads layers, portable. I need at least 4 layers and presets, good piano, organ, and orchestra sounds. But I don’t want to edit, nor sequence not have accompaniment. Just want to play cover songs in band so light weight portability is important. I’m replacing Yamaha Mo6. But new keyboards lack layers with separate slider. The lights on the Phantom sliders are very nice

@darrickkeels6387

Жыл бұрын

I would recommend the Yamaha YC-61.

@sglynn

11 ай бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 Thanks but I don’t see that the YC has layers with sounds controlled on sliders. Maybe I’m missing something. Looks like just an A and B with preset volumes. I need layers on sliders for active play. Maybe Wurlitzer PC4.

I need to have another look...

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Weren't impressed first time around huh?😄

@michaels5166

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 I had JUST scored an Alesis Quadraverb Plus for $100, and was looking for a sampler,so I did not know where the Fantom would fit in. I already had a Roland analog and Ensoniq workstation. I went and got the Polyend Tracker, so I think I can mate the Fanton with my Roland MV8800...we will see...

Yes.

I’m new to digital instruments, coming back to music after a decade. (I play every instrument) I’m looking at a Fantom-07, SPD-SX, & a TD-07 drum set. Do I need all of these or do they overlap? I’ll be running everything to Logic on my computer.

@darrickkeels6387

Жыл бұрын

They overlap in areas for sure. But they also do things the others cannot do. You just access what you need and then pick the gear that will meet that need(s).

Sorry to bother you, what is the easiest way to get the metronome going with a piano tone to practice? Given the nice action, my daughter uses the fantom to practice when she can't be on the grand piano, but we don't know how to get a metronome going with a piano tone so that she can turn on the metronome and change the tempo as she practices her scales, exercises, and songs. Thank you.

Great video D !! . Thanks. Other day I was watching your montage vs kronos and still deciding between Fantom and Montage. Few questions here in accordance with Montage as I hope you still own one. 1. The super knob functionality (potentially that could be assigned to the pedal as they shown in other videos) from a live performance perspective I feel it can very smoothly fade in and out various sounds without taking the hands off from the keybed as the superknob can be delicated to the pedal. But in reality do you feel it's a deal breaker ? and is there any way in Fantom to replicate a superknob like functionality and assign it to a pedal ? 2. In Montage I see only 8 parts (zones) can be directly controlled by the keyboard and in Fantom its 16 zones can be layered and controlled directly, provided some sound presets of montage already takes 4 parts of that 8 . So I am pretty inclined to fantom on that front, do you any thoughts on that for a decision making based on this? 3. Regarding sounds have you tried the recent piano expansions for Fantom if yes how you find it ? and also in general the piano, guitar sounds presets with Fantom are they sound similar to Montage or can it be tweaked to sound closer ? 4. Do we know the Ram and storage memory capacity of Fantom and montage? Thanks -AJ

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

1. I have not actually found a way to replicate the function of the Macro controller called the SuperKnob from the Yamaha on to the Fantom per se. The "Superknob" controls the parameters of the 8 smaller knobs on the Montage all at once. It is capable of controlling 128 different parameters simultaneously. In other words it could be turning up the volume of one part, down the volume of another and be controlling the opening/closing of filters, reducing attack and adding reverb all at the same time. If all what you want to do is fade different zones in and out, the Fantom is more than capable of handling such a task. You'd simply assign an expression/volume pedal to control the volume of specific zones. 2. The Montage can only control 8 parts at a time while the Roland allows for 16. More is not necessarily better. It depends on the user. Even though you only get 8 parts, the realtime control of the SuperKnob does give the musician more control over specific parameters than the Roland gives. But if you are not a person needs filter envelopes opening and closing at different rates, while simultaneously adding a bit crusher to one part and delay to another, you will find the Roland more robust. The V-Piano sound engine has unlimited polyphony with lots of detail and it will only take up one zone, not 4. Thus leaving you 15 other zones to be creative with. 3. I find the pianos to be fantastic on the Roland, especially for live use applications. The new SuperNatural pianos that launched are amazing. But even if they weren't great to me, the sheer amount of options between the SuperNatual Pianos, V-Pianos, and Zencore pianos, it's hard for me to imagine a person not finding any one of them acceptable especially considering all of the editing options available. With that said I find the majority of acoustic sounds like guitars, strings, flutes, violins ,etc to be better on the Yamaha. In regards to memory I know the Roland gives you 2gb of sample memory that can be applied to the pads. As well as 2 GB of multisampling memory that can be applied to the keys but this memory is shared with the expansion packs. In other words the more multisamples you have the less expansion packs you can have and vice versa. Lastly there is 2gb of general sample storage. So a total of 6gb broken up over 3 sections. In regards to overall RAM, Roland has not released such numbers. Bonus: If I could only choose one keyboard between the Montage and Fantom, I'd choose the Fantom. I like the immersive DAW integration. Now when I record parts into Ableton it doesn't feel like I am using a computer. The Fantom has multisampling capabilities on the unit itself while the Montage does not. Though I use the MPC One for all my sampling, it's nice to have another unit as a backup should something happen to my MPC. The Fantom is designed for clip launching which I do all the time. The Fantom has a dedicated Organ Tonewheel engine, and the Montage does not. The Roland has much better rear panel connectivity. I can connect 3 external devices via USB vs 1 with the Montage. Also Roland keeps coming out with not only new sounds but new sound engines for the Fantom, so I believe it is a bit more future proof than the Montage. I like the zone control better on the Fantom. It's just easier to control external gear with it. It's truly designed to control other products. These things make it future proof as well because I have a controller that is super capable. Overall they are both great keyboards hence I own both. But if I could only have one, the Fantom would be my choice.

@geoffk777

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 I totally agree. If you install all of the expansions and sample packs on the Fantom, you'll use up 80% of your sample and user memory. And that's just for what's been released so far! But the Fantom is better suited as a master keyboard. That said, the strings and brass on the Montage are great and some of the FM sounds are unique. And the Superknob gives you some unique performance capabilities, like going from a string ensemble to a solo violin and back again with just an expression pedal. It's worth having both. So I'd try both and see which one that you yourself personally like better.

@MobileMusic

2 жыл бұрын

​@@darrickkeels6387 I was told by the Product Specialist that the FANTOM has some *additional memory* inside it that is not exposed to the users yet. They may unlock that portion of memory in future in their updates. He couldn't tell me how much additional memory but it is good to know :)

Darrick my man! Every time you say, "Should you buy X keyboard" you actually have it! 😄 I use Roland Zenology (which is what the Fantom is built up on) and I have to say I like how Roland wants to have synergy between all their products, and good on them like Korg going the software route, because they know that tech is changing and changing fast. It sounds good, I don't have the 30+ synth design ears, I just know that this sound is good and makes me feel good. I like what the Fantom does, taking tips from both the Yamaha and the Korg and putting it the Roland way, just don't like how expensive this board is. 😅 It's also funny that people compare this board to a 10 year old board, the Korg Kronos 2, it's a testament (and probably a revelation) as to how the Kronos has made an impact and shows that maybe, just maybe we have reached our "accessibility" of sound (you can create synths on your iPhone now, nothing stops you). I think you are the best person to comment (or create another video) on your findings on all these boards (Montage, Fantom, Kronos) considering that you have used them extensively, you should make a comment about them (but we all know what you would choose on a desert island, lol). I just really hope that we can have this same power (or a version of this power) at a reachable price point. Plus competition is always good, seeing these manufacturers challenge each other is always nice, makes me more interested for NAMM 2022 (which should happen and must be a bang).

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Tony thanks for watching. Always cool to see you stopping by the channel. I must agree Korg started the whole "platform" based model for keyboards. The Kronos is literally a mini desktop computer optimized for the hardware it works with. While Yamaha's flagship Motif XF Workstation was offering 741mb of wave rom, the original Kronos hit the market with a 32gb SSD and few gigs of RAM. But it wasn't the sheer size of the hardware that gave it a major advantage. It was the ability to upgrade the product via software updates. Generally firmware updates were for basically bug fixes. But Korg was able to offer new features. No longer did you have to buy a new keyboard to upgrade your features. Hence Kronos was not simply a keyboard but a platform and in the power department it blew away all of its competitors. One could argue they like Yamaha better for its sounds, interface, or some other subjective quality. But no one could argue a Motif was more powerful than a Kronos. They implemented a Setlist feature that made the keyboard feel "modeless." Even today though it is dated it remains the most powerful fully featured workstation on the market. No one knew back in 2011 Roland had started working on a new Fantom. And now they are pumping out massive updates regularly. They've added multisampling, a virtual tonewheel organ engine, a wave table synth engine, SuperNatural Acoustic sounds, more effects, and much more. In years past you would have needed to buy another keyboard to get such features. They have really spent a lot of time creating a more immersive experience when working with MainStage, Logic and Ableton Live. Their Zenology platform provides a more integrated experience between hardware and software across product lines. Everything is now scalable and expandable. Where Roland hasn't invested a whole lot is in the on board sequencer. Up until this past February it was only capable of two time signatures 3/4 and 4/4. It had a 32 bar loop limit and still to this day no option for recording in a linear fashion and no audio tracks. The Fantom G which launched in 2008 offered 128 MIDI tracks, 24 tracks of audio, and a song measure capacity of nearly 10,000 measures and 1,000,000 notes. Roland has since increased the limit of measures from 32 to 64 bars and they have added more time signatures. There are quite a few people asking for a linear sequencer with integrated audio tracks so that it will work like the workstations of yesteryear. I just believe companies are moving away from that old workstation model. The power of computers and even tablets and phones is making a huge impact. Similar to the move from analog to digital had in the 80's. Tons of companies that made analog synths simply went out of business. Digital was cheaper to produce, sonically way more flexible, more reliable, and stayed in tune lol! Roland (and Yamaha) developed flagships that no longer compete with DAWs but integrate and work with them. One major key sticking point going forward will be price as you mentioned. A $4000 Roland Fantom is considerably less powerful than a $4000 software based system. There are virtually no polyphony ceilings, no track limits, more sounds available than you could go through in a lifetime, and you can create Grammy award winning music with nothing more than software. Products like Ableton Live and MainStage have made bringing your plugins and studio to your live shows a lot easier. And this is only going to improve. Clearly I like hardware but I am an "old head" now lol! As software setups become more reliable, accessible on hardware like tablets and phones, it will be hard to justify $4000 less capable machines, especially to younger musicians that have grown up in an environment where software is king. When a company like Arturia comes up with a MIDI controller that can create the immersive experience of a Fantom but for way more platforms like Cubase, Studio One, FL Studio, things will get even harder for the big 3 keyboard companies. Most MIDI controllers do lack the build quality of say a Montage. But once someone nails it, the squeeze on hardware based systems will be that much tighter.

@tonylancer7367

2 жыл бұрын

​@@darrickkeels6387 I definitely feel that the Kronos set the standard for what the other manufacturers can do. I do like the different inspirations that Roland has taken from Korg to breathe new life to the Fantom, I wonder what is happening in the secret lab of Yamaha Japan, if Yamaha is paying attention. Personally, like you have mentioned, I don't see the workstation continuing, perhaps morphing into something of interconnectivity like the Zen-Core platform, because let's be honest, you can produce an album on a Kronos, but would you? It's now about ease of use, connectivity, and approachability, I suspect that you must have enjoyed the Roland "a bit too much" just because of how approachable it is to the Kronos. But, with the way tech is moving fast, I wonder what it must feel like to be Yamaha, Roland, Korg, Nord or Kurzweil. Yes, your boards are great, but can you compete with The Giant, Noire, Diva, Omnisphere? I should ask you though, how do you find the synth sounds of the Fantom and the Kronos? Those two are machines in their own right, Roland having "that classic sound", I know the Kronos can hold it's on weight (Hello Cory Henry Lingus solo), but it never jumps to me as much as the Roland's do (or maybe I should start listening to more pop live records and not church stuff lol).

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

@@tonylancer7367 I honestly think Korg, Roland, Yamaha and Kurzweil (kinda lol), are all struggling to stay creatively relevant in this market. Roland has really shifted with the whole Zenology platform essentially creating an entire online platform in which all of their sounds that can be transported into their hardware. As hardware changes they will still be able to get money from subscriptions and possibly tap into customers like Native Instruments users enticing them to add Roland to their VSTs. It’s really forward thinking. When analog gear went obsolete due to the entrance of the Yamaha DX7 and the digital age coming in, Roland survived. They created keyboards like the D50 and offered a diverse array of products across many sectors. Many synth companies went out of business. Dave Smith sold the Sequential name to Yamaha. I believe we are in such a transition today. The M1 Mac is really a game changer. Beyond that, like you said Omnisphere, Noire, Keyscapes etc simply cannot be matched via hardware. And then there’s Logic, Ableton, Cubase, and every other DAW that is exponentially more powerful than any hardware workstation ever made. And they keep improving rapidly. All it takes is a download off the web and you have a shiny new DAW. As computers become more powerful, developers are taking advantage of all the power available to them. Even in live shows, especially in Gospel/Christian, everywhere you look there’s a laptop on the stage. People are using in ears for monitoring and everyone is listening to a click. I’ve seen Earth Wind and Fire do a concert and they used backing tracks along with the live instruments. Kurzweil’s new Workstation the K2700 is already dated and is not even available. The audio interface only allows for two outs and two ins. (the Fantom allows 32 mono outs or 16 stereo), it has a tiny non-touch screen, like everything is touch screen today. The VAST system is powerful but very complicated and a task that can be done in Omnisphere in seconds could take you 30 minutes in the Kurzweil. It has a 16 track MIDI sequencer but doesn’t support audio tracks. There’s no DAW integration to speak of...I mean it’s no longer 2007, you’ve got to come with something better if you are going to survive. As far as synth sounds the Roland does sound more like a “gospel” keyboard because I believe our ears have become accustomed to that sound. The reality is most of the Roland synths can be made on the Kronos. The problem is, it’s kind of a pain lol! But using the right sound design parameters with the PolySix sound engine, proper eq, effects and so on you can get the same synth sounds or by using the AL-1 sound engine. But honestly I’d rather just play it off the Zenology site or simply download the sounds into my Fantom or Roland MC-707. I no longer have the time to fiddle like I used to lol! I read the entire 1175 page manual for the Korg Kronos. I don’t want to have to do that again. I’ve never read a manual to operate my cellphone, yet I can take pictures, edit them, share them, create a slide show, and save them to a server all without cracking a manual. I can do the same with video, use my phone as a map or a flashlight and I’ve never read a manual. Why am I thumbing through over 1000 pages to figure out how assign Reverb to a knob? This younger generation of musicians are not about that manual life lol! All of the complexity now needs to be hidden behind a well developed user interface. I think any keyboard company can end up like Ensoniq if they don’t innovate with the times.

@tonylancer7367

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 So many good points, especially how the big boys may be struggling now to keep up. I am curious to see where Yamaha, Kurzweil and perhaps Korg go in June 2022 or Jan 2023, otherwise like you say, they might be whipped out and forced out of business. I suspect the problem with Korg is that they have incredible engineers but forgot to make the user experience sustainable to stand the changes of the future, which might be a difficult thing to do. I was close to getting a Kronos 61 but I couldn't imagine jumping in and out of the manual all the time, that was daunting. I'll just save up and see what's on the horizon, though it's difficult to tell with what's happening in the world, I mean where I stay we still don't have the MODX in stock because of the chip shortage, never mind the other boards. So I am now "forced" to invest in the software route, which in any case, is more scalable than the hardware route currently.

Hey Derrick... Thanks for the video, well done as usual. I am considering this board for purchase. I currently have the Kronos 88 and a Kurzweil PC3K8. Time for something new. I know its not a full blown sequencer however, have you done any sequencing with this to the limit of its capablilites as yet? If so, for a basic 6 track sequence which runs maybe 4-5 minutes long do you think this would be easy to work with? I understand that now with the latest update 3.0 that you can set the measure count to 64 which I think really helped those who wanted to do a more linear type of sequence. Any thoughts on this? Thanks Again Derrick.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

I actually like the sequencer because many of the songs I create I use clips and loops. However, if I am playing Jazz or attempting to compose a cinematic piece the Roland sequencer does not work for that. Even at 64 bars, using it as a linear sequencer is tough. Just think if you have a 6 minute song at 120bpm, you would need 180 measures to record with no loops. Your Kronos however would have no issues 😂. What makes you say it's time for something new?

@CRV1958

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 I have had the Kronos for about 10 years and the same for the pc3k. I’m 63 and play for a local church in NY. I would like to start with a newer board today and grow with it, at this point in life there won’t be enough time for too many more, lol. The Kronos is daunting to me and the oc3k is very dated. The church has a fantom g which I just learned the ins and outs of and couple it with my Roland integra7. I haven’t plugged it in at the church as yet mainly because it’s a very dry congregation and they enjoy the mason Hamlin AA I believe 6’2” grand piano. Sometime Ms just a change in gear can reactivate the inspiration to some degree. I am also watching your videos on the MPC one as that may be a good fit also. I have to say, your a gentleman to interact with… I wish you were around NY…. Maybe you could teach me some piano if you do that kind of thing. Anyway, that’s my story and thank you Derrick for responding. Very kind.

@SS-lx8dh

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Charles, what part of NY, I’m in Buffalo/Niagara Region. Have Kronos first then added Montage and when pandemic hit, got Fantom. 88 for Kronos and Fantom, 61 for Montage. Maybe because it is new and they keep expanding it more than all others I like it the best. BTW, also have G8 and still love it!

Hi Darrick...hope all us going well. Do you know if the new roland fantom is able to record vocals on as many tracks as you would like, as opposed to just one track on the roland fa6,7, or 8?

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

The short answer is no. The Fantom does not have audio "tracks." You can however use the "sampler" to record your vocals. But those aren't technical "tracks."

Hello Derek. I really enjoy your video. They are great. I do have a quick question regarding the Keybed on the fantom 8 ..I currently own a fantom G8 and primarily purchased it because I fell in love with the keybed on this Device. I have not experienced another keybed similar to this one on myG8. I like to know if you ever played on the G8 and your Opinion between the montage and the new phantom keybed .. thank youAgain on all These great videos you are producing..!!!

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Keybeds are difficult because they are very much personal opinion like sounds. However, with that said the Fantom 8 is the PHA-50 keybed. This is their premium graded hammer action keybed with escapement. It is the most realistic action I own. I have it on the RD-2000. When I lay down piano tracks, that's my go to. Now the Fantom G8 has the PHA II. That keybed is less realistic than the newer PHA-50. However, because it is a lighter action, it works better in my opinion for playing a variety of instruments. Playing organ on any weighted keybed is not ideal but playing it on a PHA-50 is absolutely terrible. Fast synth lead lines, drums, etc I feel would be better on the PHA II of the G8. I like the keybed of the Montage 8, it's a bit on the heavier side but it's still good. Definitely heavier than he G8. Not sure if you are looking to upgrade the G8 to a Fantom 8. If you are just know there are a lot of features your keyboard has that the new Fantom does not. So really pay attention to the specs. Do not assume it has a feature just because it bears the name "Fantom." Hope this helps🙂

@edwinkeys

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the quick reply Derek. That was definitely great information I did not know. I was struggling to see if it was worth my while to upgrade from my GA to the newer found them. I was geared towards purchasing the montage eight to add to my workflow..I do have a Roland XM which gives me the Zen core sounds. And with the new update version 3.0 makes it even much powerful. So I gather between the Roland XM and the G8 that makes a decent combination. I guess I can now focus more attention to the montage. Thank you so much for all of your knowledge Derek. You are truly a very Knowledgeable talented and gifted musician. Thank you for all the contents you are supplying the musical community on this platform ..!!!

Hello Derek how do the vibes sound?Can you do a video on the vibes?

DMPM just purchased a Roland Fantom 0. Curious to know the differences between the two workstations as it is half the price of the Fantom 6.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

I made a video on the differences. Here is the link: kzread.info/dash/bejne/pn6ApaegY8XZh6g.html

great review of this synth! I have had my 07 for less than 2 weeks. Quick question, is it possible to program 2 or more different arpeggios to different zones? Like for example, a different arpeggio assigned to zone 1 and a different one for zone 3 or 4.

@darrickkeels6387

5 ай бұрын

I do not believe that is possible on the Fantom. The arpeggiater is not one of its strong areas.

@chrisguapo69

5 ай бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 too bad. not a deal breaker but it would have been a nice option.

Great vid. I may be wrong but Im sure when the Fantom 1st came out "2019" it was described as a workstation, even by Roland. It even looks like one. Then people started to complain about the sequencer and that was when Roland started to refer to it as a synth. Either way it's very good.

@ablesam

2 жыл бұрын

I heard that one before. Basically, Roland U.S kept calling it a workstation since most of the employees were familiar with the older Fantom-X and Fantom-G. Roland Japan didn't reveal the concept with FANTOM, making the situation more confusing. I used the Wayback machine to see if there are any instances of Roland labelling this as a workstation on their official page and found none. After a bit of research and talking, the developer of the FANTOM explained what was the concept behind FANTOM. He wanted to make a modeless keyboard, but with the functionality of having a sequencer and great computer integration with massive hands-on control and connectivity. A proper modern keyboard that would be used by gigging and live musicians with modern functionality and the easiest to use interface. His idea was 'a keyboard that can be used without reading the manual'. To that extent, the idea has been very successful. The concept with FANTOM has never been to evolve the workstation lineup, but rather create a new and modern instrument for modern players with an intuitive interface. The term that is given to it by Roland is a 'creative hub'. The focus of FANTOM is 'expressive performance' & 'rapid production' via a modeless interface. This sums up the keyboard as a whole. So it is officially represented as a 'synthesizer' on their website to not confuse anyone. But because most employees at Roland US did not understand the concept that I explained in the last two paragraphs and because of the FANTOM name, all assumed it was another workstation from Roland. If you approach anyone who was originally involved with the R&D behind FANTOM, they will explain this keyboard as a 'creative hub' and tell you all about it. All in all, it is a case of misunderstanding and improper communication inside the company. I don't know what the roadmap is with this keyboard, but it seems very promising.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

I suspect that was the case as well. But when I went back and watched the original videos put out on Roland's official KZread page, I found they never referred to it as a "workstation." Now, on various other channels, normally retailers' channels, the Fantom is referred to as a workstation even by Roland's US product specialists. I got a chance to speak with Ed Diaz from Roland and he told me it IS indeed a workstation. I suspect there was confusion at launch between the Japanese manufacturer and its sales team and product specialists in the US. Roland probably never intended for it to be considered to a workstation and didn't want to go to market with that banner because they're trying to get away from that model. But they called it Fantom because that line of keyboards has a great reputation. Notice Yamaha dropped the name Motif and went with Montage. But the Montage is still repeatedly referred to as a workstation. People complained about the sequencer when it launched and finally Yamaha put a pattern sequencer in it. But it's very very limited. You cannot even edit MIDI data once your recording is in. What leads me to believe Roland didn't want to make a workstation is that at launch the keyboard only had two time signatures available, 4/4 and 3/4. The pattern sequencer only allowed for 32 bar loops maximum. And of course there is no linear sequencer to this day. These limitations don't effect certain genres like EDM, Hip-Hop, and certain Pop music but any music that isn't loop based cannot be recorded on the Fantom. Now, the previous Fantom G that launched in 2008 allowed for 128 MIDI tracks, 24 audio tracks and a song could have just shy of 10,000 measures. People were looking for an upgraded version of that considering it launched 11 years prior to the New Fantom. But instead Roland launched a keyboard with basically a groovebox included. So it's more than mere marketing to call it a synthesizer because basic workstation features are not present. However, if it really is a workstation and Roland just doesn't want to call it one due to marketing purposes, then it's a poor workstation. It is a step backwards by Roland. Workstation is synonymous with sequencing and the sequencer on the Fantom even years later with a few upgrades, is so very limited. If you record Jazz, Classical, Cinematic or any music that isn't loop based the Fantom cannot help you. If it is a workstation people have a legitimate gripe. A keyboard workstation upwards of $4000 US and it's incapable of recording Traditional Jazz standards, Funk, or Neo-Soul without suffering massive compromises and implementing several workarounds? The Fantom is a awesome synth as described by Roland (at least today😂). But it is a terrible workstation and way overpriced if that's indeed the case. The Nord Stage 3 is an awesome stage piano. But if it is really a synthesizer marketed as a stage piano, it's a terrible synth and falls way behind the Fantom, Montage, Jupiter X, Jupiter Xm, and so on. Its synth section is entirely too limited to seriously compete with the synths on the market today. Maybe Roland messed up and hid the evidence and have since had to backtrack. The problem is there needs to be one consistent message from Roland so that consumers know what to reasonably expect before laying down such large amounts of money.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

@@ablesam Always good to see you on my channel! I spoke to Ed Diaz and he told me it is a workstation. I still disagree, unless we are redefining the term. Feels bad to disagree with a product specialist 😂😂. I really respect Ed and have learned so much from him over the years.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

@@ablesam While you were responding I was also typing a response. You finished yours before me lol.

@ablesam

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 Ed's a great guy, he's got his opinions and views, you've got yours and I've got mine. He is a good Roland Rep, and he does that job quite well. Flagship synthesizers/workstations usually inherit their sequencer from a previous board (e.g. OASYS to Kronos), or from the company's sequencer based lineup (Roland JV1000 had the MC50 mkii sequencer board), which can be grooveboxes or high end samplers and production studio boxes (Remember them MV-8800?). The Fantom-G had the MV-8800 sequencer so it was powerful in that way. The new FANTOM has the sequencer of the MC-707 with a few changes in the workflow and functionality. And honestly, the new MC's sequencer is nothing more than the groovebox clip based sequencer workflow Roland (following Live in their own way) has been building up in the recent years. It's not a linear based workflow and Roland clearly states that it's designed for electronic music production, which makes sense. Now put the pieces together, that MC-707 sequencer implementation, is the same one that is built into FANTOM (with the exception of looper tracks). So you see where Roland is going with this. No matter whether I use pattern or clip based sequencing, the end result will be linear. I launch my clips and patterns in my order and arrive with a finished linear track. A product that does not allow me to edit tracks linearly is not going to be much use for various other genres than electronic and pop productions. So Roland mean it when they say that this is a synth and not a workstation. They know linear based workflows with multi midi and audio channels are the workstation definition, so they clearly aren't going to call FANTOM a workstation anytime soon. I'll believe it is a workstation when the change it on the website and implement proper features (which they are not going to since they have made it clear to be a synth development platform) that are in traditional workstations. Otherwise, its a monster of a synthesizer toolkit to me. I didn't expect you to buy a FANTOM, sold the old RD I guess? I hope it becomes a valuable tool in your hands and that you make the best of it in your productions and live scenarios. Idk if the Kronos has to go from your live rig, set list is very useful but the boot up times of the Stage 3, Montage and FANTOM has spoiled you I guess. Don't sell the Kronos, its a valuable jewel, your studio will love it. Anyway, just stopping by. God bless you Darrick!

It does appear to have very good DAW integration with Abelton Live, as it’s own UI seems to be of a similar type of work flow. But how is the integration with other DAW’s such as Cubase/Nuendo or DP for example?

@darrickkeels6387

Жыл бұрын

The DAW integration with Ableton Live doesn't actually use the UI that the internal sequencer uses. It is completely separate and could only be developed by Roland because Ableton gave them access to their source code. Steinberg (Cubase) has not given Roland such access probably because they are owned by Yamaha and do not want Roland to gain access to their DAW. Apple gave access to their source code hence Logic/MainStage have excellent tight integration with thr Roland as well. All other DAWs work with the Fantom but the tight integration will not be there. You cannot have a "mini Cubase" on your screen. You will have to go through mapping your controls through the MIDI Learn features on your DAW just like you would have to do with any other keyboard on the market.

@elpmettsol

Жыл бұрын

Yes- that is what I expected. Thank you for your confirmation!😊

Question, for Roland users. Can I use sub output for personal monitors? Perfect system for me would be a Fantom, another midi controller, a computer for VST. One stereo output for FOH, one stereo output for monitors, with indipendent volume setting for each of them. If answer is yes, then I could buy a Fantom7. On Montage7 I got everything but not the output for monitors. Additional output must be programmed for every preset and this stops any serious use of that. Many thanks...

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately the same is true for the Fantom. Sub outs must be programmed. I use a small mixer to accomplish what you are trying to do. There is a mono output that goes to FOH and I can monitor myself using in ears or headphones on stage.

@furiobisotti8150

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 I am using an Audient evo8. It would be nice to avoid an external audio board... Thanks anyway

Great video ! Great synth.. Do you think there will be a future firm update? Or has Roland stopped updating this machine ? (last update was one year ago....) . thanks.

@darrickkeels6387

Жыл бұрын

I am not really sure. I think initially there were so many updates because Roland was "finishing" the product and marketing them as "updates." For example, the sequencer at launch only allowed you to use two time signatures. If you weren't recording something in 3/4 or 4/4, you were out of luck. They "added" multisampling, which any modern flagship workstation has had for the past 20 years or so. With all that said, I never buy an instrument for what it might be able to do later. I buy it for what it can do right now. I see updates as a bonus but not a necessity. The Fantom operates now as my main keyboard for both live and studio applications. I don't really need updates. And no company will continue to update an instrument forever. And we never know when updates will cease.

@ursullavandenbord2322

Жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 Thanks a lot. We will see.

Great video, but I'd like to respectfully opine on a couple of things: 1) Essentially, you can have more than 1 effect per zone. In the "Zone Edit" page, you can adjust reverb and chorus send levels for each zone independently. Yes, this routes to the global reverb and chorus, but the end result is independent reverb and chorus levels for each zone IN ADDITION to the vast array of effects selections per channel that you pointed out. 2) This is a workstation. I don't care what Roland calls it on their website. It's a workstation. I mean, we can agree that it has miles and miles more workstation functionality than the FA series which Roland calls a workstation on their website. So, how can we say this is not a workstation but the the FA-06 is just because Roland's website says so? Functionally, this is a full workstation and a darn good one too. 3) Since 2.0, you can indeed record directly into it and use recordings in the sequencer. The keyboard sampler allows up to 2:44 of stereo sampling. That's enough time to sing a verse or a chorus or play a guitar for a section of a song and use it in a sequence. You can then carve it up in tone edit and add effects, LFOs, etc to it. It's enough functionality for most songs. The new automation feature in the sequencer rivals most Draws in functionality. I'm yet to find something I can NOT do with this sequencer compared to my DAW. A DAW is definitely easier, but I'm blown away by the Fantom.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching and sharing your feedback. I really appreciate it. 1. I shared that Roland only provides one effect per zone which is true because I am referring to the individual effects not "Master Effects" that are shared within a scene. If I have an electric piano with a tremelo/chorus, a guitar with a flanger/chorus and a synth lead with a delay/chorus and so on...I will run into an issue if I want each instrument to have a different TYPE of chorus. This is not a problem for the Montage, Kronos, or Nautilus. Those other keyboards provide master effects with sends as well as an option for more effects per channel (zone). So when comparing the Fantom to its competitors it comes up short in this department. 2. I do not simply refer to it as a synthesizer because Roland does. (Although that should really be enough because I'm sure Roland knows what they created.) But "workstation" has always been synonymous with sequencing ever since the Korg M1. At launch the Fantom only had two time signatures available. Lots of Gospel/Christian music uses 6/8 time. There was no way to record such songs. If it was supposed to be a workstation why would you launch with only two time signatures? Would a company launch an arranger with styles that only covered two genres? It took them over two years to add more signatures. Clearly adding more sounds, sound engines, and developing a whole interface for integration with Ableton Live was more important. Secondly, it only has a pattern sequencer. While that works for certain genres of music it doesn't work for others. For example, recording traditional jazz would lose its "jazz feel" if a person was to use loops. Or a simple jazz ballad where you play the piano for 100 measures never repeating a phrase twice. If I wanted to sit down and record myself playing a Classical piano piece that goes 200 measures, I cannot. That's a very limited sequencer. If all a person plays is simple structured pop music, EDM, Hip-Hop etc the Fantom works perfectly. 3. And yes there are "workarounds" to include audio with your sequence but the sequencer itself has no audio audio tracks. Simply look at the specs. You are talking about using the sampler. The Kronos gives you 16 audio tracks alongside its 16 MIDI tracks. So you can record an entire jazz piece via MIDI and then plug in a guitar and record the audio directly, without having to stop and chop up samples and stuff. The Kronos came out in 2011 and the New Fantom has been in the works since 2011. Why didn't they include such features? The old Fantom G that launched in 2008 had 128 tracks of MIDI and 24 tracks of audio and was capable of doing everything with its sequencer that I listed here. Why would Roland go backwards in the sequencing department? That's because it's not intended workstation. Roland's vision for the Fantom was to be a "creative hub" not an all in one solution. They are not trying to replace your DAW but work with it. If I make a video telling people the Fantom is a workstation with a fully featured sequencer that includes both MIDI and audio, I would be spreading misinformation and leading people to make the wrong buying decision. Now, if we want to redefine what a workstation is in 2022 that's fine. But all that means is when you say workstation and I say workstation, we do not mean the same thing.

@keneokpareke1753

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 All great points. I agree that this is redefining what a workstation is and needs to be in the 2020s.

@xp50player

2 жыл бұрын

it’s a clip/pattern-based workstation, but that is outside the normal expectation of other recent so-called workstations. To add lengthly audio parts via the sampler or sample pads would soon deplete the limited internal storage. If Roland ever allows streaming from external storage, we will be in business.

I have a Roland Fantom G8 and I'm still undecided on whether to upgrade to the "new" Fantom. Every time I see a video about the Fantom, I think, "Yes, I'll buy it", and then I think "What would I do with my existing Fantom G8?" Is it really worth spending so much on the Fantom when I have a Fantom G8?

Hello Darrick, Great Review of the Fantom 8... !!! I wanted to know is the top pannel of the Fantom Metal or Plasic.? I cant seem to fine that info anywhere ? ...Also how dose the Fantom 8 Keybed Differ from the Fantom G8 Keybed..? Thank you again for another great Info Video.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

It's metal

@edwinkeys

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 thank you ,,!!

Very great video. What about the integration with ProTools or logic?

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

It has integration with Logic, MainStage and Ableton. There is no "special" integration for ProTools. Of course you can always do the basic "MIDI Learning" and use it with any DAW. But you will not have a "mini version" of the DAW show up on the Fantom screen unless it is Ableton, Logic, or MainStage.

@gatlinproduction

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 Thanks I don’t know Logic nor MainStage. I’ll see how well it would work with my MPCX when I pick up me a phantom if not I’ll learn Logic and MainStage

@MobileMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Roland will build Profiles to integrate with other DAWs like Cubase, FL Studio, etc. as and when the DAW manufacturers cooperate. So far, Apple and recently Ableton have cooperated with Roland.

Its close to perfect as a keyboard.. still some stuff is missing, like no FM engine.. the only pitfall is the limited sample ram…. Espescially compared to Kronos with its streaming engine.. but as center of your live setup or studio, its just perfect

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Close to perfect is exactly how I would describe it.

@geoffk777

2 жыл бұрын

The new N/Zyme expansion isn't exactly FM, but it gives you a lot of the same digital synthesis sounds, so it comes closer to what you want. It wouldn't surprise me if they did an FM expansion at some point--it certainly seems like the CPU power is there for it.

@ablesam

2 жыл бұрын

It's not RAM, but SLC Flash. Kronos architecture does tone generation and host functionality on the same CPU (Intel Atom) while FANTOM's host CPU is a ROM 7421 that is used for the OS and sequencer functionality. The 4 BMC chips are what generates tones on the FANTOM and also run the effects processors. There is a 2GB SLC flash memory that is shared by these chips, meaning that Roland can add any new synthesis engine if it is uploaded onto the flash memory. Genius idea, future-proofing the product for new trendy synthesis types. This is the same memory used for the EXZ expansions and for multisamples, which is the downfall of the FANTOM. I wish they implemented SSD streaming directly onto the BMC chips by putting, for example, an NVME M.2 slot so that users can upload their custom samples onto an SSD which is 128, 256 GB or more. And also making it user replaceable so that in any case something happens to the SSD, the user can easily remove it and put in a new one. That way, the 2GB would be reserved for model expansions (which is plenty since model expansions go up to only 50MB in size) and users can have gigabytes of samples on a pretty fast SSD. Now here is probably why Roland didn't implement that. SSD streaming requires sample attack portions to be loaded into the RAM of the tone generation engine which will increase the boot-up time of the keyboard. The Kronos and Nautilus are good examples of this. Dexibell as well. The bigger the samples, the more time it takes to boot the machine up, even with blazing fast SSDs. That's why Roland, Yamaha, Kurzweil and Nord use expensive flash memory for their tone generation chips instead of SSDs. With the chip having direct access to the flash memory without the need for an external controller, it eliminates boot-up times (the boot time comes from loading the OS at that point) at the cost of having lower storage space.

New affordable Famtom out for pre-order

Why would the various and unique connectivity on the rear panel, the extensive interface with the bender and wheels, knobs, sliders and touch screen matter if the sounds don’t cut it? The sounds don’t cut it.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

I never said the sounds don't cut it but if that is how you feel..certainly do not buy it.

To me, it’s a little bit Kronos and a little bit Montage…in one board! Am I missing something? (LOL) I have both; the Montage and the Kronos; which is STILL the king in my opinion, and I’ve been looking HARD at the Fantom, but couldn’t justify buying it. I bought the Integra instead because your studio isn’t really complete with at least one Roland in the lab! Great video (as always) but I can hear my wife saying…”what’s so different about THIS board???!!!”

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah it's definitely a little Kronos and a little Montage. At the same time it does have its own unique features in the DAW integration department, TR-Rec recording, Ableton Live style clip launching, more connectivity (ie combo inputs with phantom power). But, I would say anyone with a Montage and a Kronos like yourself in no way NEEDS a Fantom😂. If you cannot make great music with those two keyboards the problem certainly isn't your gear. Thanks for watching. I appreciate it.

@ablesam

2 жыл бұрын

You don't need another keyboard if you are gigging with the Montage & Kronos. These cover a variety of sounds and functionality. Integra-7 is more than you need in the studio in terms of Roland sounds.

@xp50player

2 жыл бұрын

I sold my Integra, because although it had all the expansion boards as software, it could only load 4 at a time, whereas Fantom holds all 15 + a ton of other stuff. Fantom also has the paralell USB audio, more engines and more polyphony. The only things lost were the Dynamic Drums (Spectrasonics), the V-Drum engine, many of the SuperNatural acoustic sounds and the VST editor. The best selection of editable Supernatural keys sounds is in my RD-800.

For that price I don't want to buy any extra equipment so, how do you record with the microphone because it seems impossible

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

You could record with the microphone into the sampler section but not into the sequencer section.

Hey Darrick, nice channel dude. I read that you have Ableton, MPC one and a Fantom. I just bought an MPC to compliment my Fantom and have them set up together but not on the computer yet. I have some headaches trying to get everything set up and I feel that I’m missing something. For example, if I just want to play the piano I’m now set up through the MPC as this is connected to my speakers. Do I need a separate audio interface or mixer to make it work? Any advice or even a suggestion for a video on setting up Live with the MPC and Fantom working together but also independently would be so beneficial for the layman(or woman:))

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Menex! I actually use a digital mixer in my setup. Everything in my studio is connected to the mixer. So my Fantom's main outs are connected to the mixer's inputs. The MPC One's outputs are connected to the inputs on the mixer. Then I have a stereo pair of outputs from the mixer connected to the inputs of the MPC. I do the same with the Fantom...a stereo pair of outputs from the mixer connected to the XLR inputs on the Fantom. Lastly my mixer is connected to my computer via USB and the mixer's main outs are connected to my speakers. This setup allows me to record from the Fantom to Ableton Live or record from Ableton Live into the Fantom . Same with the MPC. I can record from the MPC to Ableton Live and vice versa. I can also record directly from the Fantom into the MPC or from the MPC into the Fantom. Seeing it all typed out looks like absolute madness lol. The same thing can be achieved with the right audio interface provided it has enough inputs and outputs. A dedicated mixer that doubles as a multitrack audio interface just makes life easier. But technically you can connect your Fantom to the computer via USB. Connect your Fantom's outputs to your speakers. Then connect your MPC's outputs to the inputs on your Fantom. Your Fantom is an audio interface. You will be able to record into the Fantom from the MPC or computer. Or record into your DAW from the Fantom or MPC. And yes...I will make a video.😁

@SunlightOfTheSpirit

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 dude, thanks so much for the level of detail here. I have a separate audio interface but it’s only one stereo XLR but can add more preamps via ADAT. Sounds easier with the mixer and I really only want to learn Ableton, Fantom and now the MPC. I feel that’s all covered for me. Would you mind telling me your mixer make so I can explore functions, check footprint etc. Thanks again man.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

@@SunlightOfTheSpirit I have a Presonus StudioLive 32SX Series III Digital Mixer.

@SunlightOfTheSpirit

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 lol, thanks bro, that thing is the size of my room and I’d have to sell my kidneys for it. Waaaayyy overkill for me but I’ll make sure I have the inputs and outputs for your mixer explanation. Peace, love and soul

@SunlightOfTheSpirit

2 жыл бұрын

I have a DJ mixer, a Xone PX5, that has four channels and a master and booth output. This could technically give me the same result???? Worth a try. Then there’s a microphone set up, where would that go. I need a compact design that’ll cover MPC, Fantom, a mic for live percussion and singing plus all routed to Ableton. I’ll let you know if I get anywhere.

Any polyphony issues?

Hey Darrick , what is missing from the new Fantom 0 vs the 2019 Fantom? Is the sequencer the same on both? I’m on the fence. I want to be able to record all 16 tracks of midi & audio simultaneously within Logic Pro. I have the MODX, was unable to do this. Thanks for your opinion.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Yes you can record all 16 tracks simultaneously within Logic Pro using the Fantom-0. As far as the differences are concerned between the Fantom and Fantom-0, I have a video coming out on that. But I will list them here. Sidenote: The sequencers are the same. So the hardware is different. The Fantom-0 is a plastic chassis not metal. This makes it lighter though. The Fantom-0 has no aftertouch and the keybed is not the same premium keybed that its big brother has. The screen is smaller. It has one less fader...8 instead of 9 and they don't have an LED strip next to them. The TR-Rec and category selection buttons are smaller on the 0. There are no XLR inputs or outputs on 0 and therefore it lacks phantom power too. No CV/gate, less pedal inputs, less USB external device control, less standard MIDI jacks, no analog filter out, less 1/4" TRS outs, and the power supply is external. Under the hood differences include: The Fantom-0 has half the sonic processing power with only 2 BMC chips rather than 4. V-Piano sound engine is not available on the 0. The new N'zyme wavetable synth is not available on the 0. The audio interface has 4 ins rather than 6. The 4 "legendary" expansion packs of the Jupitar 8, SH-101, Juno-106 and the JX-8P come free with the Fantom but must be purchased for $150 a piece for the Fantom-0. There is no analog filter. It has 1/4 the space for multisamples and expansion packs as the regular Fantom. And of course the price and weight. The Fantom-0 cost about half as much as the Fantom and is a lot lighter due to its chassis.

@thegoldenamerican

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 Darrick, thank you so much for this breakdown…🙏.. Now, I guess that the big Fantom, in my opinion sounds like the way to go ….as I think that l would be compromising too much of what makes the big Fantom truly special. So, I’m going to get the big Fantom ….

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

@@thegoldenamerican Here is the video! kzread.info/dash/bejne/pn6ApaegY8XZh6g.html

@thegoldenamerican

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 Thank you Darrick

Great video as always Darrick. As some have commented, I love that Roland also offers many of the sounds and sound engines of the new Fantom as VST software synths. Not the piano engine, new organ engine, or the super natural samples, but most of the other sounds of the Fantom are ZenCore based and available as soft synths. In fact, Roland offers many of their classic synths only as VST's including their famous D-50 engine you can't get for the Fantom or Jupiter X, for example. I wish Korg & Yamaha would offer their latest technology too as VST's. Good job on that Roland. The winner for me in my live bands is my Yamaha MODX, a laptop full of VST's, and an extra MIDI controller or two. Most cost effective, lightest weight setup, most powerful solution since VST engines are endless. This provides me with Montage sounds with large samples like the Kronos and DX-7 sounds too, via VST's classic Korg synths & Roland latest stuff plus even more classic sounds than they offer via a single hardware synth. The B3-X organ soft synth likely exceeds the ability of just about any on-board hardware organ engine, huge pianos exist as VST's as you mentioned that exceed hardware synths, and it's just endless. The combination of Montage sounds in a hardware keyboard also cut down on the amount of computer usage. Best of both worlds. Although I can get the majority of the new Fantom's sounds via VST's on my laptop, I'd like love to try out a Fantom. None of my local music stores stock it or have a demo on the floor. I keep asking. The MODX 3 years later clearly remains likely their best seller, and with almost no completion from Korg or Roland to it at it's price point or low weight, it will likely remain that way for some time. This makes me think the Montage/MODX will be the most popular platform for 3rd party sound collections as the extremely affordable MODX will make the whole Montage platform a user likely sell in higher numbers than it's competitors, and sound designers target the largest volume of users. Perhaps Roland will come out with a MODX like variant of the Fantom. Korg disappointed in this area coming out with the Nautilus that many of us thought would be their serious competitor for the MODX. But instead, it's barely cheaper than the Kronos, barely any lighter weight, not fully compatible with Kronos sound collections, and it's user interface operates differently making meaning all the 10 years of Kronos online groups aren't going to be much help in operating it. No thanks to the Nautilus for me. And in conclusion, VST users don't need to buy a Fantom to be able to use many of the Fantom sounds. We can even share sounds between the hardware and the software, load the sounds right into either. Awesome times we live in.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Roland is thinking about the future hence they have a string VST platform. They want keyboard to reach customers that won't buy a Fantom. I think Korg's next keyboard needs to be easier to use, intuitive, powerful and modern. Unless they are deciding to abandon this whole segment altogether. Always good to have you stop by Nate!

It might be a synthesizer but it do everything it workstation does it has a sequencer it has drums it may have more synthesized sounds and you can do more tweaking of those sounds just as a synthesizer but it's still a workstation because it has all the bells and whistles of a workstation like sequencer drum sounds acoustic sounds

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

But the sequencer is very limited. If a person records the kind of music the Fantom excels at I can see why it would feel like a workstation to them. But if a person needed to record a Classical piece by Motzart or a Jazz Ballad, they will realize how the Fantom is not well suited for that. At launch it only had two time signatures available. If they wanted to make a workstation they would have never launched with only 2 time signatures, which alienates so many genres of music. Lastly the Nord Stage 3 has a "synth section" with oscillators, an LFO, arpeggiator, and some sound morphing features but that doesn't make it a synthesizer. It's still a Stage Piano even though it does some things a synthesizer can do. The same is true for the Roland Fantom. And that is not MY opinion, it's the opinion of the large Japanese manufacturer that created every Fantom the world has ever known.

@ablesam

2 жыл бұрын

It's not a workstation. The developers of FANTOM made a performance synth. In Japan (Roland's home), each and every Roland Rep call FANTOM 'Roland;s flagship synthesizer'. But in the western markets, they call it a workstation. Idk why they keep doing this, but my guess is that to sell FANTOM in the western markets, they have decided to go with the term workstation. FANTOM is not a descendant of the Fantom-G and never will be. It only inherits its name because it is Roland's flagship keyboard. But what it truly is, is the successor to the live performance synth the Jupiter-80 while combining modern sequencing and sampling capabilities in a modeless design. That's what FANTOM really is. Its origin and development story weren't as a workstation but as a performance synth. The sequencer is built for people who are songwriters, live loopers and live performance musicians who want to jam by using a loop-based sequencer. It's not an entire production machine like the Fantom-G. That is not Roland's plan for this keyboard.

Fantastic video as always as expected from the master. Honestly I had this for 2 week and returned it, Kronos blow it out of the water, it is my hobble opinion IF Kronos had a better GUI, the Kronos GUI is a pain

@ablesam

2 жыл бұрын

The Nautilus has a way better GUI design than the Kronos.

@mateythegreat1399

2 жыл бұрын

@@ablesam Yeah but its a cut down version of the big daddy. The Karma is gone and they replaced it with arp

@ablesam

2 жыл бұрын

@@mateythegreat1399 True, my best guess is that Korg is developing another hardware platform for a new performance synth/workstation and moving away from the OASYS software (inherited by the Kronos and Nautilus). Maybe in a year or two, we will see a different flagship from Korg, and the Nautilus will take over the mid-range section of keyboards. Basically, the flagship of 10 years (Kronos software) becomes a mid-range keyboard.

@mateythegreat1399

2 жыл бұрын

@@ablesam Korg set standard so high 12 years ago which was light years ahead of competition, they have to come up with another masterpiece

@ablesam

2 жыл бұрын

@@mateythegreat1399 Absolutely. Korg has also set standards in how the architecture of a flagship synth/workstation should be handled. Instead of having a host CPU and tone generator system (to save costs), everything should be done on a high performance, low power SoC or SoM. Yamaha and Roland still follow the old method which is what bugs me. Montage has two SWP70s for tone generation and DSP, with a texas instruments microprocessor for handling the os and sequencer. FANTOM has 4 BMC chips (which are starting to show their age since they were made in 2016 and really need an update) and a ROM 7421 for the OS and sequencer. The old approach is relevant for things such as stage pianos, low-end stuff and all. But at the high-end instruments, everyone should be following this kind of pattern. This software-based sound approach is the future of many keyboards. The wavestate, opsix and modwave are successful for that reason. Instead of complicating things and making dedicated components, they use a raspberry pi module 3+ and all the tone generation is done in software. It's cost-effective while delivering powerful performance. Dexibell also uses the same technique. An SoM that is in all their products with the only difference being in the keybed and controller functionality. A very smart brand. Korg remains silent now, but hopefully, we will see some hints of a new product at this NAMM.

Great getting a new video from you and indepth as always. Be nice if you could do a Yamaha YC series video like to hear your thought on the YC and YC vs Stage 3. Thanks for the video.

@taggartjs

2 жыл бұрын

Ooh! Yes! I second that emotion!

How does the polyphony do when layering 8 sounds at once?

@ablesam

2 жыл бұрын

Depends on the engine. 32 notes of polyphony for ABM. Unlimited for V.Piano. 128 for the VTW. 256 for the PCM engine in Zen-Core (1 mono PCM = 1 note, 1 stereo =2), the other 4 oscillator's polyphony is unknown. 128 for Supernatural. There are voice reserve options in the menu.

@xp50player

2 жыл бұрын

The VPiano, organ and ZenCore/Expansion engines each have their own polyphony, unlike the Kronos, which has a single shared core for all synth engines. Some people report less polyphony than expected, due to the seamless sound switching function.

Do you still have it? Like it? I just sold my Kronos. Thinking of switching brands.

@darrickkeels6387

11 ай бұрын

Yes. It is my main gigging and studio keyboard

You should play the Roland Fantom8 keybed, blows away anything Korg has. The PHA-50 kebed on the weighted Fantom8 is exceptional.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

I have the RD-2000. It has the same PHA-50 keybed. It is the most "realistic" action I own. But when playing guitar sounds, organ, synth leads, drums, bass, etc, I prefer the Kronos 88. The Kronos and Montage recognize their customers aren't always playing piano sounds, so they sacrifice realism for an better overall playing experience.

@ Darrick Keels I just want to press record and play a 45 minute piano piece. Then I want to go back and layer in other sounds on other tracks. I canst find one video anywhere that tells me how to do that. Do you know how to do that? So far all I keep finding are videos of people that are just Sound Tone Arrangers that cant seem to break free from the 4 beat Loopers Prison of stacking Looped sounds. I swear, it feels like every keyboard company out there is wanting their targeted customer base to be people with ADD! Okay, I think I am done venting. Still though, do you know how to do what I am seeking to accomplish? And if so which Keyboard Workstation will let me do just that?

@darrickkeels6387

Жыл бұрын

That can be done on a Korg Nautilus (or Kronos), Kurzweil K2700, Akai MPC Key-61, or pretty much most workstations with a traditional linear sequencer. I cannot be done on the new Roland Fantom because it only has a pattern sequencer.

@StringsofLight

Жыл бұрын

Sad, I have the Kronos,, and can't find that feature. It must be buried deeper in all that bloatware. Ty. I will check again!

Can you plug in guitar, bass, electric drums create own sounds and record them?

@darrickkeels6387

Жыл бұрын

Yes you can

I own a Roland D-50, D-70, Yamaha DX7 and a Krog Wavestation EX Workstation. Too much programming for me as a Las Vegas 🎰 DJ I just ordered a Fantom-06 today!

Greetings from Scotland, U.K Superb review Darrick!, I've just recently purchased a Fantom 8 (88 key) and I'm still finding my feet and learning this awesome instrument. Looking at one of the features on Fantom that caught my eye was the feature of the daw integration ,it looks superb and i believe that it will open up so much more options and potential when creating and producing music. I was wondering if you are going to possibly do a 'follow up' video in regards to your own personal user experience with Fantom , alongside a quick review of the new updates and features that have now been added to Fantom since your original review back in February. I'm sure it would be very welcomed!👍👍 Thanks you🙏 Just subscribed to your channel too!

@darrickkeels6387

Жыл бұрын

I do plan to do more videos. However since I did this video there haven't been any major updates only bug fixes.

KRONOS + MPC X or Live or One , killer combination. No need for anything else ... maybe a Montage (Modx) or KURZWEIL , You are set.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Technically yes. I have a Kronos and an MPC One and it is a great combination. But there are reasons a person may want a FANTOM instead. For example a Kronos runs on an Intel Atom (1.66GHz) processor, 3GB of RAM and an SSD for storage and streaming. This creates longer boot times which makes live players nervous. A reboot on stage could take 3 minutes or more which is an eternity. The RAM has a problem with jarring loose when introduced to lots of vibration causing boot problems. Many Kronos owners have to open the unit to reseat the RAM. The FANTOM has SLC Flash memory and 4 behavior modeling chips (BMC) for tone generation and effects. While this setup has a much lower capacity than the Kronos' I believe it will prove to be more reliable overall. The flash memory is rated for 100,000 cycles which is much much more than the old stock SSD of the Kronos. The Korg's operating system is powerful but dated and generally hard to use by most. The FANTOM is more approachable. Lastly the DAW integration of the Fantom is far superior to the Kronos. Multitracking to a DAW with the Kronos is basically impossible considering the USB only transmits two audio outs vs the 32 of the FANTOM. So I understand why many users would choose a FANTOM. Lastly, the Kronos has been discontinued. Getting parts was already hard due to the age of the product. But now it will be even harder or impossible should it need repairs.

@liothomasart

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387totally get your point brother. Personally I'd save and would get the next Kronos or Kurzweil. The Fantom sounds are just not that good to my ear. I don't disagree about the rest, they knocked it out of the park...but the sound...it's the sound...

Now we have the Fantom 0. I guess it's a modernized FA-06.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

Correct. It will be a hot seller!

@matthewgaines10

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 I can imagine.

Please use chapters if you are making an hour long video. It helps a lot.

Does it have a metronome to practice for piano?

@darrickkeels6387

8 ай бұрын

Indeed it does

Thanks you very much for this Darrick. I have been thinking for a few weeks now about trading in my Kronos 2 61 that I have a bit of a love / hate relationship with for a Fantom 61. Your video has now pretty much convinced me for the type of music I play to go for the Fantom. On the Kronos I love the organ, actually prefer it to my Nord Electo 5. The set list function is great as well as the Seamless Sound Transition. I don't use the sampler and find the sequencer more complicated then the one I had on a Roland FA.. I'm assuming it has the functions I like in Kronos, but just wondered if you have any other things I might need to consider before buying the Fantom. I haven't got room to keep the Kronos if I do change. Many thanks.

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

I would say keep in mind that the Fantom does not have a linear sequencer like the FA Series of workstations. Finally just make sure you like the sound of the Roland overall. I think the Fantom is an excellent choice.

@kevanbarrett7411

2 жыл бұрын

@@darrickkeels6387 Thanks Darrick. So I the sequencer a bit like the Montage / MODX?

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

@@kevanbarrett7411 Well it's much better than the Montage/MODX sequencer. The only advantage the Montage has is you can record up to 256 measures before it loops. This means technically you can use it like a linear sequencer if you want to provided you don't need more than 256 measures.. It's still pattern based though. The Fantom only gives you 64 bars. However, the real downside of Yamaha's sequencer is that you cannot edit the MIDI once recorded. So if you wanted to change one note in a take you can't! That's probably the single greatest advantage of using MIDI is the ability to make such edits and the Yamaha doesn't allow it. The Roland on the other hand includes a full piano roll and "microscope" mode for editing. Then there is the TR-Rec step recording mode that is fast, easy, fun and super helpful for a variety of genres. The clip launching works pretty much identical to Ableton Live. You can use the screen to launch clips or groups of clips or you can do it using the onboard pads. In short the sequencer is way better on the Fantom than the Montage. The Montage sequencer feels like an afterthought. The Roland's feels like an integral part of the keyboard. Yes it is limited compared to the Kronos but honestly I haven't used the Kronos sequencer in years. I now use the MPC One for light quick stuff and Ableton Live for everything else. I'll often do my recording at the church I play for and I'll take my Fantom, laptop, and microphone. I plug my mic into the Fantom because the Fantom gives me phantom power (no pun intended) on the input. I connect my laptop to my Fantom and that's all I need to record backing tracks. No audio interface, no mixer, nothing but a Fantom, computer and a mic. This is not possible with the Korg. It doesn't offer phantom power on its inputs. Furthermore, the included audio interface is 2 in and 2 out. The Fantom gives me 16 stereo outs and 3 ins (32 and 6 in mono). This allows for multitrack recording to my DAW when I need it. I can literally record my kick, snares, hats, toms, and cymbals all on separate channels while finger drumming so that I can mix it down how I wish later. Not possible with the Korg. So the Korg is more powerful overall in the sequencer department until you want to use a DAW. And the sequencer user interface is quite dated on the Korg at this point. The Fantom has the connectivity and modern integration that beats the Kronos hands down. The Montage allows for much longer loops at 256 vs 64 but that's where its sequencing advantages end. Now if you want to record Traditional Jazz, Classical or some other type of music that cannot be done effectively using loops, then the Roland is not the best tool. The Kronos would be far better. But any loop friendly music can be done completely using only the Fantom.

@kevanbarrett7411

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Darrick one last thing if you don’t mind. I couldn’t see in the pdf manuals or any online videos about Seamless Sound Translation, so I checked with the store before I ordered it and they confirmed it has this feature. I assume they are correct but hope you can confirm this.😊

@darrickkeels6387

2 жыл бұрын

@@kevanbarrett7411 Yup it has it!

Or should I say can you record vocals on several different tracks on the new roland fantom, instead of just one track?

@ablesam

2 жыл бұрын

There are no audio tracks. Roland have done away with that concept. There are pharse pads to trigger up to 8 mono/ 4 stereo tracks.

Roland should pay you for breaking down their product specs better than their own Reps....😊.....I just got the Fantom 8......like your channel...