Music123.com is suppose to have them in on March 20th. The Fantom X7 is the 'exact' same price as the Yamaha Motif ES7. So the thing that may swing people to the Fantom X's is the larger 'color' LCD screen, easy to use interface (HUGE!!), skipback Sampling, the X7 weighs over 10 lbs. LESS than the Motif ES7 - 32 lbs. vs. the Motif ES7's 42.3 lbs. The Fantom X6 weighs just 5 ounces more than the Tyros but unfortunately the Fantom X8 weighs 2.7 lbs. more than the Motif ES8. But when you get up into the 60 lb. range 2.7 lbs is neither here nor there really.

Also the Fantom X has 3 Multi Effects Processors with 78 types.

I guess were looking to trtJazz "Terry" for our first and intimate look at the Fantom X series Keyboards as Terry will no doubt make a beeline to assure he gets the "first one" sold unlike his Motif ES8 which according to records Terry's was only the "second" Motif ES sold. Somebody beat him to the first one. I don't think he'll make the same mistake twice.

Head of the pack and proud of it. LOL

Best regards,
Mike


[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 03-18-2004).]

"Fantom X doesn't have onboard ROM memory for user storage"

Preset Memory Patches: 1024 + 256 (GM2), Rhythm Sets: 40 + 9 (GM2), Performances: 64

User Memory Patches: 256, Rhythm Sets: 32, Performances: 64

Card Memory Patches: 256, Rhythm Sets: 32, Performances: 64

In Addition to that you have 16 MB internal Flash RAM for sample and sequence data storage.

And you can expand the sample and sequence data storage with Flash cards upto 1GB.

We'll have to wait and see if Fantom X has better sounds than Motif ES. I think currently Motif ES beats any Roland or Korg offering hands down in sounds department.

I too have my eyes on Fantom X, and sounds will be the deciding factor for me. I love Yamaha drums and acoustic sounds. Another setback for Roland is that it can't read any of the popular sample formats (Like Akai for example ...) I hope Fantom X can read other formats otherwise that 1GB RAM may not be as usable.

Well unles something odd takes place, then I no doubt will be trading the Motif in on the Fantom X.

That being 2nd on the Motif didn't cut it.
Terry

------------------
jam on,
Terry http://imjazzed.homestead.com/Index.html

One huge plus I think the Fantom has over the Motif is those beautiful trigger pads What a great idea to put on a synth.

Squeak

Thanks for correcting me Shakil. I will edit my post accordingly.

So now there is even MORE reason to seriously consider the Fantom X.

Best regards,
Mike

"One huge plus I think the Fantom has over the Motif is those beautiful trigger pads What a great idea to put on a synth."

Squeak, I agree with you those pads are a great idea, especially in a live situation. That is one of the reasons I am waiting for Fantom X, if the sounds are not disappointing then that will be my next board.

American Musical Supply has Fantom-X6/7/8, and Motif Es is YAMAHA and FANTOM-X is Roland so don`t mix them up. I like Korg Trinity better then any Workstation even better then TRITON.

Fantom X has the most amount of mb for its sounds...more than the competition ...up to almost 1 gig of sounds when expanded. This beast must surely put the Tyros and other Workstation keyboards to shame in the sound deparment....we'll know for sure soon.

If you're interested in how it sounds:
http://www.rolandus.com/products/details.asp?CatID=8&SubCatID=36&ProdID=Fantom-X8 &PageMode=15

Go to the bottom interactive demo and click on it. The sounds are outstanding and still the very best by far IMO acoustic grand.

On top of which Scott Tibbs is a killer player, the boy's got the chops.
Terry

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jam on,
Terry http://imjazzed.homestead.com/Index.html

[This message has been edited by trtjazz (edited 03-18-2004).]