Quote:
Originally Posted by Jahrome As an individual looking for a sampling keyboard workstation, the Fantom G needs some improvements:
1) More than 16 cops with sample preview from current address before chopping
2) Chopped samples playable from keys within the Chop menu
3) An option to assign a chopped sample to a multi-sampled patch
4) Sample editing: Extract, delete, silence, bit/sample rate converter, stereo sample to mono convert and vice versa, pitch shift
5) Undo button in the sample editing menus, with at least one level of undo
6) Load or delete multiple samples in one pass
7) Compatibility with Roland current and/or legacy formats (Fantom S/X, MV), Akai (S series, MPC files), etc
8) Edit and playback samples directly from USB flash devices
9) Non-destructive chopping - let chopped samples start/end points overlap
10) Grid edit for creating drum tracks
11) Independent Chord Function settings for each part. Currently, you have to enter F4 to enter Arp Part Number every time you want to use the Chord Function for a different part.
12) An easier way to assign multiple samples to a multisampled patch. Currently, it takes several button clicks just to assign one sample to a key. Doing this 61 times is tedious. I need to be able to assign multiple samples to a multisampled patch in one pass. Even a drag and drop sample function would be great. |
Um...what you need is a dedicated sampler (or perhaps an MPC). I don't know of ANY keyboard workstation with this much power dedicated to sampling. If such a board existed the price would probably be astronomical (see Korg Oasys).
Quote:
The sequencer also needs some work.
1) Audio tracks recorded in stereo still display as mono track.
2) Cannot change Track Type (MIDI, Audio). By defaullt, the first 8 tracks are MIDI, the next 24 are audio, and the remainder re MIDI. Although you can recorder the tracks, it would be much easier if you can freely assign the Track Type like any other normal sequencer.
3) Audio track editing....No pitch shift in the audio track edit menu. How in the heck to I get my Kanye West on without this function? 
4) Input Effects EQ needs improvement. A true 3 band parametric EQ would be nice. The two banc EQ provided has onlt two settings for the Low Frequency and 3 settings for the High Frequency.
5) An UNDO function is needed for the sequencer. I can't understand why this was left out.
6) Track Output Assign. It doesn't work correctly when the sequencer is playing.
7) Horizontal Bar below the track window doesn't work with the mouse.
8) And just like what I wrote about the sampler...the editing features of the Fantom G's audio tracks could use a significant upgrade. The improvements don't need to be anything out of the ordinary. But Roland could at least make sure the Fantom G has the basic editing functions like any of the leading workstations on the market..past and present.
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I have to question some of these. First and foremost, the Fantom X (and pretty much any modern workstation in existience) has an undo function. I can't imagine that Roland would take a step BACKWARDS and not put one on their new "flagship". Are you sure you could not find it? On the X, you have to press the shift (or one of the F keys...i forget since I use it with my mind set on auto-pilot) button to get to the undo function. I would guess that the G works in a similar manner.
Also the thing about not being able to switch track types. This makes absolutely no sense to me as the Fantom (as well as any other Roland board) does not possess this shortcoming.
As for track editing, again, you need a DAW or full blown sampler. Personally I was not very impressed with the Fantom G, but don't you think you're asking a bit much of a keyboard (as in: seeing as how it's a
keyboard workstation, naturally there would be an emphasis on
keyboard features instead of sampling features)?
Or are you one of those guys who believes that a workstation should be able to replace a complete studio...
