General Music Chat

Video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=d_vyw6TjK2Q

Fantom-G6: Workstation Keyboard

Reaching New Levels of Power and Luxury

Features

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 and more.

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
Heavy-duty casing with aluminum panel

Reaching New Levels of Power and Luxury


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.

Reaching New Levels of Power and Luxury

Specs

Keyboard and Sound Generator Section Keyboard
61 keys, 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
Over 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
AC Inlet
Others Arpeggiator 128
Arpeggio Sets 128
RPS Sets 32
Rhythm Pattern Sets 32
Chord Memory 128
Chord Memory Sets 128
Display
Graphic Type, 8.5", 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
Accessories Owner's Manual, CD-ROM (Editor, USB MIDI driver), Power Cord
Expansion Board: ARX Series, Keyboard Stand: KS-V7 (Fantom-G7/-G6), KS-18Z (Fantom-G8/-G7/-G6), KS-G8 (Fantom-G8), Pedal Switch: DP series,
Foot Switch: BOSS FS-5U, Expression Pedal: EV-5, USB Flash Memory: M-UF1G, M-UF128, Microphone: DR series, Headphones: RH-series
Size and Weight Width
1,066 mm
42 inches
Depth
411 mm
16-3/16 inches
Height
142 mm
5-5/8 inches
Weight
14.5 kg
32 lbs.

MY GAWD...I had no clue we were that advanced in this realm (in a single keyboard)...My poor SQ1 is lookin at me right now with that (please dont get rid of me, aint we been through alot look... )...UNBELIEVABLE MAN...I bet the manual for that thing has MUCH pages... ...
BUT, it does appear to be pretty user friendly, unlike the workstations of the past...

ENJOY!!


KIDD

The trick about technology and planned obscelesence (yeah it happens with musical instruments too) is that they try to hustle you into buying the newest stuff before you figure out all the capabilities of the older stuff.

I still use an a Roland SuperJV 1080 that I bought more than ten years ago, and if you get into the guts of the thing, using its full multitimbral capabilities and MIDI benefits, I still play shows where musicians come up and ask me how the hell I got this sound or that one, or how I managed to stack all of those keys.

EXPLORE your old stuff before you buy new.

The trick about technology and planned obscelesence (yeah it happens with musical instruments too) is that they try to hustle you into buying the newest stuff before you figure out all the capabilities of the older stuff.

I still use an a Roland SuperJV 1080 that I bought more than ten years ago, and if you get into the guts of the thing, using its full multitimbral capabilities and MIDI benefits, I still play shows where musicians come up and ask me how the hell I got this sound or that one, or how I managed to stack all of those keys.

EXPLORE your old stuff before you buy new.

Thanks Irminsul,

No doubt that classic synths have an aura all their own, not easily replaced by samples in other boards, but I REALLY NEED A GOOD BOARD!!!!!! LOL

I'm using a Roland GW-7

Entry level (meaning cheap) which is a decent live board. It has some good sounds on it, and is functional as a scratch pad, but it just doesn't have the quality sounds available in higher end boards. I also want the ability to do demos within the board itself, and bypass the computer. Maybe I just need to learn more, cause I have a decent sound card and audio interface (EMU) and I just don't get the sound I want. There is occassionally some lagging, and the specs are not that bad on my computer. But to do home demos successfully, I feel like I am going to have to upgrade to a dual core with maybe 3 gigs RAM. If I am going to spend that money, I'd rather have it all integrated, and make it simpler and more portable. Provided the onboard digital recorder is decent.

But I also just need good sounds again, both acoustic and synth, so I can start doing the stuff I want to do, and that people are after me to do (write songs for albums, etc..)

I had to give up my Korg Triton which I had for years, and a while back had to give up my Roland Fantom X6 which I thought would give me a heart attack, as I had only had it for a month or so.

But I respect your advice, and I promise to keep this one for a LONG TIME. I just need to buy something worth keeping first. LOL

What made you get rid of your Fantom X6?

What made you get rid of your Fantom X6?

Poverty


Well, not entirely true. I bought it used, but found out it had the original (meaning old) operating system in it. Guitar Center promised to update it for me for free when the Roland guy came in to the store (otherwise I paid Roland $50 bucks) but for a month I kept getting the run around. They would forget, etc...

So I got pissed and took it back.

While waiting for a more recent used one to come available, or to save enough (almost another grand) for a new one, I had to use some of the money I already had for bills, and things have just come up since, not allowing me to have a couple grand to spend freely.

Craig,
If you already have a MIDI controller keyboard, consider just adding a good new tone generator. You may get more "bang for the buck" if it's sound quality your looking for. I personally endorse Yamaha's AWM2 (advanced wave memory) for outstanding sound quality. That Roland your looking at has too many exterior "bells and whistles" for my liking. Irmy's point about "planned obsolescence" isn't just another Celtic harp player "whistling' Dixie" either. Synth. technology made great advances in "professional " keyboards in the early 90's, but, henceforth, the market favored the "cheap personal use keyboards" of the kind that you find in Wall-Mart. Let your ears be the judge (God knows you got a good pair of them), listen to what a lot of other composers and keyboard players have to say on the matter, and chose wisely. (I've been considering a new axe, but I haven't yet seen or heard one that I can afford that can replace my old ones)
John

P.S. I'd beware of anyone giving technical advice who still don't possess an I Pod!
My favorite "new keyboard" is a 100 year old Weber piano. (I play it every night!)

So many buttons so little time.

Craig,
If you already have a MIDI controller keyboard, consider just adding a good new tone generator. You may get more "bang for the buck" if it's sound quality your looking for. I personally endorse Yamaha's AWM2 (advanced wave memory) for...

That is a great idea. For the last three years I have pursued the same tack, that is slimming down actual keyboards and concentrating on rackmount units. I have one 88 key piano weighted control keyboard, and one JX-305 (basically a Groovebox with a keyboard attached) and I just do not want any other keyboard. If you can chain your rackmount units in the right way, all you really need is one good controller.

It is a real pain in the ass to drag around multiple keyboards.