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Roland Fantom-S88 88-Note Sampling Workstation with Hammer Action

Roland's Fantom-S workstation keyboards are a complete solution for professional music production. The 61-note Fantom-S and 88-note Fantom-S88 both feature seamless integration of audio and MIDI - plus advanced sampling with realtime timestretch, sample chop and new "Skip Back Sampling." A Dynamic Pad Bank makes it easy to arrange and trigger audio, while all-new factory sounds, an onboard mastering processor and USB file exchange give the Fantom-S the power to take your music from idea to completion. Learn More...

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Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Individual User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
being able to change sounds, or in my case use high quality sounds for an excellent recording....

Quality:
i have never had one problem with my keyboard and i do run it pretty hard, i've had some really bad keyboards in the past and upgrading to this is the best thing i ever did.....

Value:
thought it was a bit pricey, but being able to upgrade sounds and put more memory in the keyboard it self was the selling point for me.

Desirability:
it's just a practical addition to your setup....

Sound:
Because of you can edit any sound and change anything on the board i would rate this one of the best keyboards i have evr worked with!!!!

Support:
never had to deal with a problem so i couldn't say...

Overall:
i don't expect to be upgrading for another 5 to 6 years, unless something drastic happens in the music industry and all the sounds become out dated....

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Quality:
i have had no problems with it

Value:
definately worth the price

Sound:
i love the way this keyboard sounds. the sounds on it are much more real than any other keyboard i have heard.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10

Feature:
The most useful feature to me is the skip back sampling. You'll never loose an spontaneous idea again. All you have to do is play it and hit the skip back sampling to save your idea, or even turn it into a sample. Love the soft touch drum pads too. Just like having an Akai drum machine right on board. The least usefull feature for me is the "d-beam", but if you're into electronic music, it's a must have. Also love the large color screen. This is a real big plus for me.

Quality:
It's SOLID! No if's, ands, or buts. It has a very futuristic look. Should look and last in style for a long time.

Value:
With all the features that are packed into this keyboard, you are definately getting your money's worth. No regrets from me.

Desirability:
Good looking design. Very Modern! love the screen savers, large colr screen and the way it boots up with the lights. COOL!! You won't go wrong with this one. Looks damn good in my studio. It gets'a a lot of attention and complements from visitors.

Sound:
The sound quality is "Fat"! The guitar sounds are amazing, even the trumpets,saxes,flutes, and strings are as close to realistic as any keyboard could get, and lets not forget the awesome piano tones.

Support:
For the most part support is good. I've only had one guy that told me something wrong, but I called back after I couldn't figure it out and the person I spoke with that time was very knowledgable. He even stayed on the phone with me to make sure I had it right.

Overall:
I won't be searching for another keyboard for a long time. I'm truly satisfied with my purchase.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
I love the new spectrum of how you sample and record. I love the skip-back sampling button it really so easy to understand.

Value:
I think the sell price should be much high because it has much that has gone into this monster.

Sound:
The sounds are so amazing especially the piano and acoustic guitar sounds. The pianos and there are so realistic down to very key to the lower phases. The acoustic guitar have the DSP effect the give the real sound.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10

Feature:
Hmmm...Great piano action, check. All manner of knobs and buttons to fiddle with, check. Actual useable sampling, yep. Easy-to-use internal sequencer, check. I actually prefer using the keyboard for programming rythm and drum parts over the dynamic pads. I don't know why, though.

Quality:
The S88 is solidly built, not to mention heavy (due to the piano action). I'm not a touring musician, but I'm very sure it could be used "on the road." The only problem I have is keeping the dust off of it!

Value:
The preset patches are mostly all useable, and everything is pretty much customizeable. It sounds great, it's built well, and the interface is the best I've every seen and used (no postage-stamp-sized screens here!)

Desirability:
I love the brushed-steel look the S88 is sporting, and friends who see it usually comment something along the lines of, "That's quite a synth!"

Sound:
Very, very lovely sound. For synthetic sounds, this synth can go from ultra-dreamy pads to screaching and cutting leads. The stock-piano sound is pretty good, especialy with the sympathetic resonance effect. The orchestra and other acoustic sounds are a little dated...but...that's what a Vienna Symphonic Library is for! If you can't find what you want in the presets, just edit patches to your heart's content.

Support:
I haven't had to contact Roland ever...so...I couldn't say. The Roland dealer in my area is extremely friendly and helpful. The users manual gets some points knocked off of the score.

Overall:
I'll probably end up keeping this board for until either I or it falls apart and dies. The S88 has no major weaknesses, so to speak. This is the easiest synth I've ever used. For me, it practicaly takes no effort to get a good sound (ie, no difficult programing).

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
This keyboard is so comprehensive...easy and powerful sampling...the PA-5 piano action...the expandability...the touch sample pads...the comprehensive display screen...I could go on all day !!

Quality:
Hey...what can you say ?? It's Roland, and exudes quality all the way.

Value:
I much prefer the feel and sound of this over the Korg Triton 88 key...I find it easier to use, and warmer sounding...much better keyboard action...and over a grand less. Value is on par with the Yamaha Motiv8 (also a really nice board, but not as nice as the Fantom-S88 in my opinion).

Sound:
This keyboard sounds and feels like a million bucks...

Support:
I just ordered my Fantom, but from my Roland experience support is fantastic over the phone. Years ago I had a Roland organ that was constantly breaking keys, and they sent me keys even out of warrenty.

Overall:
I fully expect to keep this until Roland again ups the ante.

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