FANTOM X
The Standard By Which All Other
Workstations Are Measured.

Expressive New Sounds Abound ..........................................................................
When Roland engineers developed the Fantom-X Series, they
wanted to fully exploit the potential of the new chip. That’s why
each keyboard comes with a brand new 128MB wave ROM
loaded with quality-focused sounds like vivid new string sections,
expressive and fat-sounding drums, rich nylon string guitars and
an amazing 88-key split acoustic piano, which uses individual
stereo multi-samples for each key and every velocity stage.
Would you believe there are over 700 samples used in this single
Patch? Many of the instruments were recorded in world-class
studios using vintage tube microphones with the highest quality
preamps and converters, and were mixed by respected studio
engineer/producer Dan Blessinger (Martinsound)—resulting in a
level of quality and musicality rivaled by few.


Complete Studio Effects and Mastering Tools ..........................................................................
Onboard effects include separate reverb and chorus processors,
plus three multi-effects processors loaded with sound sculpting
tools ideal for creative sampling. These include algorithms like
COSM® Guitar Amp Modeling, Lo-Fi processing, tempo-synced
delay, Slicer, Isolator, multiple effects chains and more. (In
Performance mode, all three MFX can be configured for full parallel
or complete serial use—or any combination in between.) When
you’re ready to mix down, simply switch on the dedicated Mastering
processor with multi-band compression for tight, punchy mixes.

The Only Workstations with Skip Back Sampling
and a Dynamic Pad Bank....................
First introduced on the Fantom-S, Roland’s Skip Back Sampling
has become popular with musicians for its ability to instantly
retrieve a performance and turn it into a sample. With Skip Back
Sampling, your ideas never get lost because the sampler is
constantly recording every note you play—be it on the keyboard
or Dynamic Pad Bank—while keeping the musical bars in tact.
Speaking of which, these 16 velocity- and aftertouch-sensitive
pads now sport twice the polyphony and an improved feel for
even more natural drum programming and sample triggering.

Get Connected with USB ..........................................................................
The onboard USB port serves two functions: First, it can be used
as a USB-MIDI interface, eliminating the need for an external
MIDI interface. Second, it can be used to import and export
audio in .WAV/AIFF format. Now it’s easy to bring in samples
from your computer and use them in a sequence. Likewise, you
can quickly mix
down your song, resample
it in stereo,
and then transfer
the file to a computer
for CD-burning.

A True Audio/MIDI Workstation ..........................................................................
Whether sequencing MIDI tracks, triggering samples from the
Dynamic Pad Bank, or even recording audio directly to RAM, the
Fantom-X Series makes putting it all together a seamless
process. Lay down a drum track by combining the internal drum
sounds with loops, which can automatically sync to tempo via
realtime timestretch. Then record some keyboard parts as MIDI
and finish your song by tracking a guitar or vocal as audio. The
high-resolution sequencer boasts up to 400,000-note capacity
and supports Standard MIDI File (SMF) import and export, making
the Fantom-X by far the best workstation in history.

V-LINK: The Future of Performance ..........................................................................
The Fantom-X Series is not only a great choice for studio
musicians, but also for live performers. Using Roland’s V-LINK
technology, musicians can trigger and manipulate video clips
when connected to an Edirol video editor like the DV-7PR.
Imagine being able to instantly trigger clips from the Dynamic
Pad Bank, or create transitions and effects using the pitch
bender and knobs. It’s a live performer’s dream!

Dazzling Color LCD Screen ..........................................................................
The Fantom-X Series is the first line of
workstation keyboards with a color
LCD screen. And once you’ve seen this
display’s smart, color-coded screens,
you’ll never want to go back! With all
the menus and screens in color, navigating
the Fantom-X becomes that
much more a pleasure. Even the
bitmap images appear more lifelike,
adding to the overall experience.


POWERED BY ROLANDS GROUNDBREAKING CHIP

The new Fantom-X Series comes in a choice of three keyboards,
but they all have one thing in common: Roland’s new sound
generator chip. This chip is Roland’s most powerful to date, and
it not only makes it possible to play expressive 4-tone Patches
with 128-voice polyphony, but it also raises the Fantom-X Series’
waveform capacity to approximately 1GB when fully expanded—
far more memory than any other musical instrument on the market.
What’s more, the internal wave ROM has been doubled with
quality-focused sounds that will please even the most jaded player.


SAMPLER OR DIGITAL RECORDER ? ..........................................................................
Thanks to the power afforded by the new sound generator chip,
you get both. That’s because the Fantom-X is the first workstation
keyboard capable of handling audio on the level of a digital
recorder. This means you can record either short samples for
playback on the keyboard, or long, linear takes similar to a digital
recorder. And with room for up to 544MB of sample RAM, there’s
plenty of recording time available. Samples can be slaved to
tempo with realtime timestretching and edited using powerful
tools like Wave Edit and Chop. Users are free to load samples in
.WAV and AIFF formats and back up data to convenient PC cards with up to 1GB capacity.

Dedicated Piano Button ..........................................................................
Choose the Fantom-X8 model, and you’ll get an 88-note
Progressive Hammer-Action Keyboard designed to capture the feel
of a fine concert grand. It’s the perfect way to play the amazing
new 88-key split piano Patch, which can be instantly called up by
pressing the Fantom-X Series’ dedicated Piano button. Of
course, this button can be reprogrammed to call up a different
Patch or Performance in any order, so it’s almost like having an
extra Favorite Sounds button. Regardless of which model you
choose, you’ll find nothing else compares to the new Fantom-X.


* 128-voice workstations with 61-note
keyboard (Fantom-X6), 76-note keyboard
(Fantom-X7), or 88-note (Fantom-X8)
Progressive Hammer-Action Keyboard

* Seamless integration of audio and MIDI
using gorgeous new ROM waves and
sampling with realtime timestretch capability

* 128MB wave ROM includes quality-focused
sounds like 88-key split piano and more

* 32MB sample RAM expandable to 544MB
with optional DIMMs

* New color LCD screen—a first in
a workstation keyboard!

* Innovative features like Skip Back Sampling,Dynamic Pad Bank and V-LINK*

* 3 MFX processors, plus dedicated reverb,
chorus and mastering processor

* USB port for MIDI, .WAV/AIFF file exchange
and 4x SRX expansion

* PC card slot for backing up samples and
data with up to 1GB capacity

* 4 Line outputs (2 stereo or 4 mono), stereo Line input and 24-bit S/PDIF I/O

*****************************************

Fantom-X6/X7/X8 Specifications

* Keyboard [X6] 61 keys (with velocity and channel aftertouch), [X7] 76 keys (with
velocity and channel aftertouch), [X8] 88 keys (Progressive Hammer Action
Mechanism and channel aftertouch) [Sound Generator Section]

* Maximum Polyphony 128 voices (shared with the sampling section) n Parts 16 parts nWave
Memory 128 MB (16-bit linear equivalent)

*Waveforms 1,436

* Preset Memory Patches: 1,024 + 256 (GM2), Rhythm Sets: 40 + 9 (GM2), Performances: 64

* User Memory Patches: 256, Rhythm Sets: 32, Performances: 64 n Card Memory (PC
card) Patches: 256, Rhythm Sets: 32, Performances: 64

* Effects Multi-Effects: 3 systems, 78 types, Chorus: 3 types, Reverb: 5 types, Input Effects: 6 types,
Mastering Effects: 3-band compressor [Sampling Section]

* Data Format 16-bit linear (File Type: .WAV/.AIFF)

* Sampling Frequency 44.1 kHz (fixed)

* Maximum Sampling Time Standard: 32 MB (mono: 360 sec. approx., stereo:
180 sec. approx.), Maximum (expanded with DIMM): 544 MB (mono: 102 min.
approx., stereo: 51 min. approx.)

* Number of Samples User memory: 2,000
(maximum total approximately 32 MB), Card memory: 7,000 (PC card) [Sequencer
Section]

* Tracks Phrase tracks (16 MIDI channels per track): 16, Pattern track
(16 MIDI channels per track): 1, Tempo track: 1, Beat track: 1 * The Pattern Track
can hold up to 100 patterns.

* Resolution 480 TPQN

* Tempo 5—300

* Note Capacity approx. 400,000 notes

* Song Length 9,998 measures

* Recording Method Realtime recording, Step recording
[Others]

* Arpeggiator Preset: 128,
User: 128

* Rhythm Pattern Preset: 256 (32 groups), User: 256 (32 groups)

* Chord Memory Preset: 64, User: 64

* Display Graphic 320 x 240 dots backlit
LCD (Color)

* Pads 16 pads, Velocity and Aftertouch sensitive n Controllers Pitch
Bend/Modulation Lever, Control Knob x 4, Assignable Switch x 2, D Beam Controller

* Connectors Headphones Jack, A (MIX) Output Jacks (L/MONO, R): 1/4 inch TRS
phone type, B Output Jacks (L, R): 1/4 inch phone type, Input Jacks (L/MONO/MIC,
R): 1/4 inch phone type, Hold Pedal Jack (Half Pedal recognition), Control Pedal
Jack (assignable), MIDI Connectors (IN, OUT, THRU), USB Connector (supports file
transfer (mass storage class) and MIDI), Digital Audio Interface (COAXIAL
INPUT/OUTPUT), AC Inlet

* Expansion Slots [Expansion of waveforms and patchs
for the internal sound generator] SRX expansion boards: 4 slots, [Expansion of
sampling memory] DIMM: 1 slot (supports 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB (3.3 V))
n External Storage Device PC card: 1 slot (supports SmartMedia and
CompactFlash using a PC card adapter)

* Power Supply AC 117 V, AC 230 V, AC
240 V (50/60 Hz), AC 220 V (60 Hz)

* Dimensions [X6] 1050 (W) x 358 (D) x 125
(H) mm / 41-3/8 (W) x 14-1/8 (D) x 4-15/16 (H) inches, [X7] 1262 (W) x 358 (D) x 125
(H) mm / 49-11/16 (W) x 14-1/8 (D) x 4-15/16 (H) inches, [X8] 1408 (W) x 455 (D) x
165 (H) mm / 55-7/16 (W) x 17-15/16 (D) x 6-1/2 (H) inches nWeight [X6] 12.5 kg
/ 27 lbs 9 oz, [X7] 14.5 kg / 32 lbs, [X8] 29.5 kg / 65 lbs 1 oz

* Accessories
Handbook, Owner's Manual, Sound/Parameter List, Sample Data (Audio) CD, CDROM
(Editor, USB MIDI driver), Sticker, Power Cord

* Options Wave Expansion
Board: SRX Series, Keyboard Stand: [X6] [X7] KS-12 / [X8] KS-17, Pedal Switch: DP
Series, Foot Switch: BOSS FS-5U, Expression Pedal: EV-5

* The specifications are subject to change without notice.

The rule is this simple for me. Specs are good.. as a reference point. I'll decide if I want it based on what it does when it's in my hands though.

When I look seriously at a new board, it gets a good workout with an eye towards overall sounds, overall features, how the OS will work, key feel, polyphony ( in my hands, not based on specs ), and a few other things.

I don't pay a whole lot of attention to the specs when I'm testing a particular board, other than as a reference point when looking at the individual features.

In the past two editions of the Fantom, when I came across some of the keyboard based sounds, it pretty much ended right there. I didn't like the Rhodes, Organ, or wurli sounds much at all when I compared them to the Motif series. I'm hoping that this time will be different, because the OS seemed very logical vs the Motif.

AJ

I agree, a very nice sounding grand piano. I didn't think it sounded that bad in mono either. At least the frequency extremes are still there (doesn't sound thin).

But oh that stereo sample is sounding real nice on the Altec Lansing's here!

Fantom Stereo Grand Piano

Fantom Piano Left

Fantom Piano Right

Fantom Piano Summed to Mono

mike

Still....

compare it with softsampler libraries like : http://www.sampletekk.com/wgresource.php?PHPSESSID=649e62ee2e0d4671176fd1e78baa75a2

no comparison...

(I know, I know..)

I agree about the comparisons, because today's hardware boards just don't have the sample rom capabilities of a soft synth. I have embraced soft synth technology and use it a lot, but I still like having one good workstation available for live play and for studio work as well. Sometimes using soft stuff, especially when one wants to do something instantly and "on the fly", can be a little more complicated than I like. Still, nothing currently available in hardware ( without having the actual boards they emulate ) compares sound wise to some of my favorite soft synths, such as the new Mini Moog V from Arturia and the B4 from NI for example.

Currently, my workstation is the Motif ES. It has great sounds ( for me ), but it isn't very user friendly in some areas. I'd miss a few things from it, like the VL acoustic modeling plug in and the way the user arps are set up ( very easy to make my own ), but I can get around the first one if I use my Windows ME computer and my SY-xg100 synth module, as it includes the VL acoustic softsynth, but does not work on XP.

The arps are less important, since I often prefer making my own stuff anyway. The tool that has become invaluable here is Fruity Loops studio. At first I thought of it as merely a glorifed drum machine that was best for techno and synth based music, but it really is much more than that.

So, that leaves me free to part with the ES if I choose to and possibly get the 'X' if I like it better. The Triton Extreme might also be a very good choice for me, as it appears ( atr least from the demo I heard ) that korg has put more effort into some of it's acoustic sounds. I am looking forward to the release of both of these boards.

AJ