The Roland Fantom Reinvented!

Roland have always produced interesting and innovative keyboard workstations. From my own point of view the Fantom series was the best of them and in particular the Fantom X of which I have owned three. There was something about that workstation keyboard that just felt right. Build quality was superb, large colour screen, smooth controls, skipback sampling (up to 45 seconds always on sampling) and you could mount the Fantom X via USB as a drive on your computer for easy data transfer. Of course there were many other features but the important thing is that it all came together as a wonderfully cohesive package.

That was back in 2004 and since then the “workstation” concept has slowly faded away and been replaced by more specialised keyboards. Ones that did not try to do everything but focused on doing one or two things very well and leaving the whole sequencing/recording thing to computer based DAW’s.

Today though the Fantom is back! Not quite in the form of the Fantom X or it’s successor the Fantom G, there is no skipback sampling for example but it appears to have very much brought the whole workstation concept up to date. Also it is now just called ‘Fantom’ and it comes in 61 and 76 note semi-weighted versions along with a 88 note hammer action model.

MAIN FEATURES:

Seamless workflow with no confusing modes
Expandable sound engine delivers authentic electronic and acoustic sounds
Fresh hybrid sounds combining modern PCM, virtual analog, and a routable analog filter
V-Piano technology for stunning realism and expression
Scenes contain settings for all 16 layers, plus effects and patterns
Deep integration with DAWs and softsynths and 16×3 stereo audio interface
Multitrack clip-based sequencing with instant pattern recording and triggering
TR-REC sequencer as found on classic Roland drum machines
High-resolution controls with dedicated synth control section
Massive DSP power for plenty of polyphony and smooth sound transitions
All new 61/76 note semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch
Acclaimed 88-note weighted keyboard with aftertouch

THE SPEC:

Sound Generator: ZEN-Core
V-Piano Technology
Parts: 16 Zones(Internal + External)
Scenes: 128 Scenes x 4 Bank
Tones: Over 3,500 Tones
Over 90 Drum kits
Effects – Multi-Effects: 16 systems, 90 types
Part EQ: 16 systems
Drum Part COMP: 6 systems
Insertion Effect: 2 System, 90 Type
Chorus: 8 types
Reverb: 6 types
Master Compressor
Master EQ
Mic Input Reverb: 6 types
Analog Filter: STEREO
Type: LPF1/LPF2/LPF3/HPF/BPF/Bypass
Drive
Amp

SEQUENCER

MIDI Tracks: 16(Internal/External)
Group: 16
Pattern: 8 (per each Track)Pattern
Length: 32 measures
Recording Method: Realtime recording, Step recording, TR-REC

SAMPLER

Format: 16-bit linear, 44.1/48kHz, WAV/AIFF import supported
Maximum Polyphony: 8
Number of Samples: 16 Pads x 4 Banks

OTHER

Rhythm Pattern: Yes
Arpeggiator: Yes
Chord Memory: Yes
Controllers: Pitch Bend/Modulation Lever, Assignable Switch x 2 (S1/S2), Control Knob x 8, Slider x 8, USB Audio Slider, Wheel x 2, Function Knob x 6, Sound Modified Knob x 11, 4 x 4. Pad
Display: Graphic Type, 7″, Wide VGA (800 x 480 dots), backlit LCD (Color/Touch screen)
Connectors: Headphones Jack: Stereo 1/4-inch phone type
MAIN OUT Jacks (L/MONO, R) (1/4-inch phone type)
MAIN OUT Jacks (L, R) (XLR type)
SUB OUT1 Jacks (L, R) (1/4-inch phone type)
SUB OUT2 Jacks (L, R) (1/4-inch phone type)
ANALOG OUTPUT Jacks(1,2)(1/4-inch phone type)
Mic/Line Input Jacks: (1,2) (1/4 inch phone type/XLR type)
2 x CV OUT, 2x GATE OUT
FOOT PEDAL JackS(HOLD, CTRL1,CTRL2,CTRL3)
MIDI connectors (IN, OUT1, OUT2/THRU)
USB MEMORY Port
USB COMPUTER Port (AUDIO/MIDI)
3 x External Device Port
External Memory: USB Flash drive (sold separately)
Power Supply: AC 117–240V 50/60Hz
Power Consumption: 50 W
Accessories: Owner’s manual
Power Cord