Roland Fantom-G8 88-Key Sampling Workstation

ARX SuperNATURAL expansion bay. First-class “Ivory Feel” weighted keys. Large 8.5 inch wide color LCD screen.

Item: ROLFANTOMG8

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customer reviews

Rate and Review This Product:

10 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

2 People wrote reviews

* * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10

"The G8 is Coming, the G8 is coming!"

Feature:
Considering the X series was pretty damn good, I imagine the G series will come in and take the cake. I'm giving them a 9, because the X series definitely had some bugs, which I hope they've worked out in the G series ahead of time. Even the bugs that existed weren't impossible to fix, apparently they just never got around to it. Hopefully the G series will come out more stable right out the box, and any issues can be handled with an OS upgrade.

Quality:
Roland never skimps. The X series was built like a tank and I imagine so will this one.

Value:
If you want the best, you have to pony up the dollars to do it. Roland is amazing, and I would never compromise the quality they bring for anything.

Desirability:
As long as the on-board mouse pans out, I'm super excited. Surely the sounds are better, so I'm still interested in hearing it in my studio, however that will be the determining factor whether it stays or not.

Sound:
Well, let's take into account how truly amazing the X series sounded. I've personally never heard a better board, and have become a pure Roland addict. I can only imagine with the new stuff they've put in, the sounds will even be more intense. I can't wait!

Ease of Use:
I basically built my own fantom G using Apple's Logic Pro and USB-midi to the Mac. It's worked great, and there really is a lot of flexibility with the current setup I have. I'm interested to see how the on-board mouse capability works, and how they have setup the use of the sequencer.

Support:
I've actually never dealt with Roland support.

Overall:
Roland has always done me right.

Submitted: 4/22/2008

Style of Music: Acoustic, Rock, Hip-hop

* * * * * * * * * * 5 out of 10

"Cool board, can't wait to check it out but: buyer beware (I'd wait until second OS upgrade, read the rest of the review)"

Feature:
Great if you want to have studio-in-a-box approach. I don't, I usually use my workstation sequencer for ideas and move to DAW later.

Quality:
Looks strong and has a lot of Fantom-X design which is built like a tank.

Value:
If Roland cleans its acts up and more supportive in fixing its issues, this would be higher.

Desirability:
Nope, I'm happy with my Motif XS8 and its Cubase/DAW integration which I bought after I sold my Fantom-X (I did try Korg M3-88 briefly but returned it, it was good but I couldn't stand its piano sound and velocity curve issue).

Sound:
Since I haven't tested it, I predict synth stuffs will be great but the acoustic sounds will be 'eh' (prove me wrong, Roland :-)

Ease of Use:
Big screen and mouse would help a lot. It'll be a lot of straining though if you put the mouse on top of the keyboard :P

Support:
I used to own Fantom X8 and there are quite some bugs in Fantom-X that weren't addressed in *two* OS upgrades. Fantom-G being a more complex keyboard with its big screen, mouse integration, new ARX system; I'm leery how many more bugs will be there and whether it would be addressed or Roland just comes up with new product and deserts previous users? Remember original Fantom which was a flop and within short period they release Fantom-S? Similar thing happen with Fantom-S to Fantom-X. Of course Fantom-X being a more mature products from 2 flops, they milk it for 4 years (without fixing the bugs) and comes up with Fantom-G. So I guess Roland just look at the sales of its board, if it's not good, don' fix it via OS, just create new ones and screw the current users.

Overall:
If you want to buy this, I'd suggest you wait until the initial pain and dust settle, see if it's indeed a quality board (OS bugwise). There will be some issues in the beginning of course but hopefully it'll be alot cleaner compared to its predecessor. I'd wait until the second OS release if I were to buy. Don't get me wrong, Roland is a great and innovative company, I owned their gears and I'm not a certain product fan-boi. I just found Roland's customer support lacking compared to the others which takes its toll on us as customers.

Submitted: 1/24/2008

Style of Music: Jazz, Drum and Bass, Praise & Worship

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About This Product!
Description
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From Our Catalog
News
Introducing the most powerful and luxurious live workstation in Roland history. The Fantom-G is a dream instrument that redefines the boundaries of playability and creativity with its advanced sound engine, revolutionary ARX SuperNATURAL expansion bay, large-sized color LCD, powerful new audio/MIDI sequencer, first-class “Ivory Feel” weighted keys and more.

Features

Advanced sound engine with double wave capacity of previous flagship workstations

2 x ARXexpansion with SuperNATURAL — the world’s greatest performance-expression technology

Graphic user interface with extra-large 8.5” wide color LCD and mouse connectivity

Newly developed onboard audio/MIDI sequencer with 128 tracks, including 24 audio tracks

Multi-FX for each part; up to 22 effects routings can be programmed simultaneously

Top-of-the-line keyboard action; weighted PHA II “Ivory Feel” keyboard on Fantom-G8

Heavy-duty casing with aluminum panel

Advanced Sound Engine
Driven by a powerful new audio processor, the Fantom-G provides new sonic depth and versatility. With twice the wave-ROM capacity of its predecessor, it contains a treasure trove of Roland’s world-famous SRX-quality sounds, but what really sets this instrument apart is its new ARX expansion, which allows additional SuperNATURAL sound-sets and fully dedicated synth and effects engines to be added to this already powerful live workstation.

SuperNATURAL ARX Expansion
Fantom-G provides ARX slots that accommodate two SuperNATURAL expansion boards. SuperNATURAL is Roland’s unique behavior-modeling technology that enables a new level of organic, emotional expression previously unattainable in synthesizers. Applied to traditional-instrument sounds, SuperNATURAL enables the delicate, organic tonal changes and playing nuances of real musical instruments. It’s also a powerful tool for electronic and non-traditional sounds, breathing amazing new life and expression into synthesis.

Power Sequencer Onboard
The Fantom-G is the first Roland instrument to feature Roland’s newly designed power sequencer. In conjunction with the large-size LCD, this pro-level composition tool provides 128 tracks (including 24 audio tracks) in a fully intergraded audio/MIDI graphical environment. A mouse can be also incorporated for computer-like speed and ease. Other convenient features include combo XLR and TRS connector, phantom power for condenser mics, Hi-Z input for guitar and bass, and line input.

Luxurious Extra-Wide LCD
One look and touch and you’ll know that the Fantom-G is an instrument without equal. Only the highest-quality materials have been used to create this dream synth, with a stylish, futuristic design that will turn heads. Front and center is the extra-large 8.5” wide TFT color LCD for enhanced productivity. A first-class assortment of hands- on controls is provided as well, including eight sliders, four knobs, and ten buttons below the LCD.

Amazing FX
Fantom-G is loaded with a state-of-the-art effects engine, with multi-effects available for each Fantom-G sound/part. In 16-part multi-timbre mode, up to 22 effect routings can be used simultaneously. Create complex setups with 16 insert effects per multi-timbral patch group, plus global reverbs and choruses. Mastering effects are provided for polishing songs created with the onboard sequencer.

Supreme Keyboard Feel & Action
The Fantom-G8 is outfitted with Roland’s top-of-the-line PHA II “Ivory Feel” keyboard. This amazing keyboard technology reproduces the real surface feel of ivory acoustic piano keys providing a familiar stability and comfort to the pianist. The white keys have a two-piece structure which reduces the developed keyboard surface material is designed to absorb moisture, ensuring a secure, slip-proof feel that your fingers will love.

Technical Info

Keyboard and Sound Generator Section
Keyboard: 88 keys, PHA II, Ivory feel, with velocity and channel aftertouch

Mamimum Polyphony: 128 voices, shared with the sampling section

Parts: 16 parts (Internal) + 16 parts (External) + 2 parts (ARX)+ 24 parts (Audio Track)

Wave Memory: 256MB (16-bit linear equivalent)

Waveforms: 2,153

Preset Memory:
- Patches: 1,500 + 256 (GM2)
- Rhythm Sets: 64 + 9 (GM2)
- Live Sets: 512
- Studio Sets: 128

User Memory per one project:
- Patches: 512
- Rhythm Sets: 64
- Live Sets: 512
- Studio Sets: 128

Effects:
- Patch Multi-Effects (PFX): 16 systems, 76 types
- Multi-Effects (MFX): 2 systems, 78 types
- Chorus: 1 system, 3 types
- Reverb: 1 system, 10 types
- Input Effects: 1 system, 6 types
- Mastering Effects: 1 system, 3-band compressor

Data Format: 16-bit linear, .WAV or .AIFF

Sampling Frequency: 44.1kHz

Maximum Sampling Time:
- When sampling memory isn't expanded (32MB): mono: 360 sec. approx., stereo: 180 sec. approx.
- When sampling memory is expanded with DIMM (544MB): mono: 108 min. approx., stereo: 54 min. approx.

Number of Samples per one project: 2,000

Sequencer Section
Tracks:
- MIDI tracks (Internal/External/ARX): max. 128
- Audio track: max. 24
- Tempo track: 1
- Beat track: 1

Resolution: 480 TPQN

Tempo: 5.00 to 300.00

Song per one project: 50

Phrase per one project: 2,000

Note Capacity per one project: approx. 1,000,000 notes

Song Length: 9,998 measures

Recording Method:
- Realtime recording
- Step recording

Controllers
Pitch Bend/Modulation Lever

Control Knob x 4

Control Slider x 8

Assignable Switch x 2

D Beam Controller

Connectors
Headphones Jack: Stereo 1/4 inch phone type

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

Mic./Guitar Input Jacks: 1/4 inch phone type / XLR type (Phantom power)(Hi-Z)

Pedal Jacks:
- Hold Pedal Jack (Half Pedal recognition)
- Control Pedal Jack (assignable) x 2

MIDI Connectors: IN, OUT, THRU

USB Connectors:
- USB Computer Connector (supports file transfer or mass storage class, and Audio/MIDI)
- USB Mouse Connector

Digital Audio Interface: COAXIAL INPUT / OUTPUT

Other
Display: Graphic Type, 8.5 inch, Wide VGA (800 x 480 dots), backlit LCD (Color)

Pads: 16 pads, Velocity and Polyphonic Aftertouch sensitive

Expansion for sound generator: ARX expansion boards: 2 slots

Expansion for sampling memory: DIMM: 1 slot, supports PC133, CL=2/3, 3.3 V, 128MB, 256MB, 512MB

External Storage Device: USB Flash Memory

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

Power Consumption: 30 W

Included Accessories
Owner's Manual

CD-ROM (Editor, USB MIDI driver)

Power Cord

Size and Weight
Width: 55 inches (1,396 mm)

Depth: 19-13/16 inches (502 mm)

Height: 7-1/4 inches (183 mm)

Weight: 32.0 kg, 70 lbs. 9 oz.
Roland has a long history of keyboard innovation, and the new Fantom G-series continues the tradition. With a brand-new sound engine and double the wave capacity of the X-series, this keyboard is Roland's most advanced workstation ever! All your favorite Fantom and SRX sounds are built right into the new Fantom G, so you're ready to make music, right out of the box. That's not to say there's no room for expansion. Roland's latest SuperNatural ARX expansion cards offer dedicated synth and effects processing for the most detailed, organic expression you've ever heard from a workstation. Everything is readily accessible through the panoramic color LCD screen, hands-on controls, and integrated mouse support. You'll quickly become one with the interface, navigating fluidly without interrupting your workflow. New pitch-bend modes provide more detailed expression. Build realistic guitar parts, bending one note in a chord while the others stay the same! For complete control over your compositions, look no further than Roland's new Power Sequencer. Mix up to 128 tracks, including 24 audio tracks, right inside the workstation! The combo XLR/TRS jack makes it easy to record guitars and vocals, and there's even phantom power for condenser microphones. A USB computer connection makes it easy to import tracks into the Power Sequencer, or export your music for distribution. You get 22 onboard effects, plus mastering tools for polishing your final product. From patch-sequencing to live performance, your sounds are identical. You can even layer up to 8 patches, which will continue to sound as you segue into the next performance. This gives you seamless control from one part to the next, with no awkward breaks in the music! All Fantom-G workstations have velocity and channel aftertouch, but the G8 adds Progressive Hammer Action and the new Ivory Feel keys for a realistic acoustic-piano experience.

88 Keys; PHA II Ivory-feel Keyboard with velocity and channel aftertouch.
  • 05/15
    First time in stock,
     New, new on zZounds. 
  • 01/17
    New to zZounds,
     New, first time available. 

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"I loved the item I got it was just what I was looking for plus it was well priced. I will definitely look into more products from zZounds" - customer on February 15, 2008

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