Roland Fantom-G8 88-Key Sampling Workstation

Searching for a workstation keyboard that can truly "do it all"? It's not an easy task. Some workstations are powerful but clunky, better suited to the studio, whereas others are fantastic stage instruments with only limited sequencing ability. The Roland Fantom G8, on the other hand, is equally impressive both on tour or as part of your production studio.

A stage and studio instrument? It seems like a contradiction, but the Fantom G is sure to defy any expectations you might have as to what a "workstation keyboard" is. It's got thousands of beautiful, sophisticated sounds, yet you get easy access and on-the-fly adjustment. It's got a powerful sequencer that supports both MIDI and audio recording, yet the smart control layout and mouse support make it easier to navigate than even most computer-based software. It's a road-worthy, rugged instrument, yet it's one of the sexiest looking keyboards around with a huge, full color LCD screen and gleaming aluminum chassis.

SuperNATURAL Sounds
Regardless of how sexy the Fantom looks, how many functions it boasts, and how easy it is to learn, a sub-par sound would be a deal-breaker. Fortunately, the Fantom G boasts all these amazing features as well as one of the most amazing sound engines in the industry. The Fantom line has always been hailed for the quality of its voices, and this newest incarnation has double the wave capacity of its predecessor. Classic acoustic and electric piano sounds, thick and flexible synth patches, and an assortment of orchestral sounds all sound impressive, but the Fantom G really shows off its stuff when you add an ARX SuperNATURAL expansion board to one of the Fantom's two expansion slots. SuperNATURAL is one of the most powerful synthesis engines at any price range; it's called SuperNATURAL, because the sounds these expansion cards produce goes beyond realism. For example, the ARX-01 card specializes in incredibly detailed and realistic drum sounds, and thanks to SuperNATURAL technology, you can build the simulated drums from the ground up, dictating shell width, wood type, snare buzz, room dimensions, and more. Since the ARX expansion cards sport their own processor, the complex sound generation won't slow down your Fantom in the least. If you dig tons of layered, lush, stereo effects, the Fantom is your best friend. Each multi-voice patch can support up to 22 simultaneous effects, with extensive routing and editing options to keep tweak-prone musicians happy for hours on end.

Touring Machine
You'll undoubtedly want to show these stunning sounds off on the road, and the Roland Fantom G8 is geared for world-class live performance. Like a luxury sports car, the Fantom has the power of a sophisticated machine, but the feel of a finely-tuned instrument, due in large part to the G8's top-notch, semi-weighted keyboard. 88 "Ivory Feel" keys have the action of a concert-class piano. They're quick and robust enough to accommodate the most complicated runs, and anyone who's tickled some real ivories will appreciate their satisfying feel. The Fantom's intuitive control layout also contributes to the the keyboard's live credentials. Eight sliders provide quick control over assignable parameters and live multi-voice mix levels, and the five rotary encoders are solid and smooth. Add in the combination pitch-bend/modulation joystick, and the additional real-time tactile controls make every patch even more expressive; sure the inspire some wild live-performance moments. The phenomenal "Ivory Feel" keys are matched by equally responsive, groove-box style trigger pads. These sixteen rubberized pads can be used to trigger samples, construct rhythm patterns, play loops, and mute individual channels in a sequence for DJ-style dropouts. Clever organizational features like "Set List" make it easy to access specific sounds quickly on stage, and the huge LCD screen makes it easy to double-check every aspect of a patch at a glance.

More Than A Sequencer, A Complete Studio
The generous screen also comes in handy when you're using the Roland Fantom G in its alter-ego mode: as a totally decked-out production studio. Any professional workstation is going to have a sequencer on-board for composition, but the Fantom G8 boasts Roland's "Power Sequencer", a full-fledged multi-track audio and MIDI sequencer that behaves more like a computer-based DAW than a traditional keyboard workstation. The Fantom G's arranger can handle up to 24 real audio tracks in addition to 128 MIDI tracks, with expandable recording memory for nearly two hours of CD-quality digital audio. With its plethora of analog inputs, audio can be recorded from just about any source--even high-end condenser mics, thanks the the phantom-powered, Neutrik "combi" XLR-1/4" jack. Use it to sample live drums, record studio-quality vocals, or plug a Hi-Z instrument like a guitar or bass directly in and make use of the Fantom's guitar-based effects. The G8's sliders, rotary knobs, four-way cursor control and Jog Wheel make it easy to operate and navigate through the mixer window and effects patch lists, but the Fantom G also supports USB mouse integration. Who needs a computer?

The Roland Fantom workstation has been around for almost nine years now, and with every iteration they get more powerful, sound more amazing, and are even easier to use. If you're looking for a single instrument that can master every aspect of modern music, from performance to composition to production, look no further than the Roland Fantom G8.

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.

88 PHA II Ivory-feel Keys.