Is Roland Fantom-X the coolest workstaion sequencer?
Hi
Im having a hard time finding the right synth workstation for dance music production.
I dont care about the built in sounds, but the sequencer!!
I will not hook it to to my main studio, but have it as an "alternative studio" where I can make a sketch for a track, and maybe also import sounds to do actual production, and use the built in va.
Fantom-X sequencer may be one of the most-full featured in the workstation world ... linear as well as pattern sequencing as well as audio tracks ...
the hitch is the slow USB 1.0 write times ... But if you're strictly using MIDI it's plenty fast ...
It is capable of producing full tracks as long as you can accept some limitations in terms of what you'd expect from a computer DAW ... (less insert effects but lots of flexibility ... )
I would still rather use a computer but with Fantom-X it really "can be done" ...
I love how the Fantom X' sequencer is so tight. I like to make the beats there and later import them into Cubase. There's a grooviness to the onboard sequencer that the DAW can't quite match.
I've used a Fantom Sequencer at guitar center, it had a screen and you used a mouse. It was essentially DAW PC with a keyboard built in.
That was the Fantom-G ... However, many people say Roland really messed it up when it re-invented the X's capable sequencer and created the new "power sequencer" in Fantom-G ...
However, from what I gather, simple things became difficult and sometimes downright impossible ...
I never upgraded to G ... It just seemed like Roland had no idea what they were trying to accomplish with that workstation and what made the X so terrific (despite a high level of overall quality and some nice bits) ... and support and updates fizzled out quickly ... For instance, Fan-X got a robust 2.0 update but Fan-G never reached 2.0 status ...
It's all over at Roland Clan if you want to kill a few weeks of your life reading about it ...
IMO I used both Fantom and MV8000, MV series sequencer is vastly better, but ofc, lacks on board rompler soundbanks. MV also has 2 midi out, external montior/mouse support + huge list of awesome features in a super layout...
For example..
16 patches at once (512mb total samples) 64 polyphony
128 midi tracks
1 pattern track (up to 64 patterns)
each pattern can have 1 audio + 64 midi tracks!!!!
1 Audio Phrase Track (choose from 16 Audio Phrases/Audio Loops)
8 Audio tracks
40GB internal HD (can upgrade to 160GB!!)
CD Burner (mv8800 has dvd burner I think)
Ridiculous drum pads
Internal VA monosynth / Master FX section w/ 3 preconfigured knobs (for filter n stuff) + 2 Roland FX channels for all parts
8 Sliders with programmable Midi capabilities (can send to external midi)
Load Roland Sample CD directly!!!
Import any sample format via Translator
all for under $700 now
MV is the way IMO unless you must have a full keyboard controller as well, if you like the fantom seq you'll love the MV one even more.
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It could be different on a mac...
MV is the way IMO unless you must have a full keyboard controller as well, if you like the fantom seq you'll love the MV one even more.
Don't know if MV has RPS (Realtime Phrase Sequencer) which is really the Fantom's strong suit and makes it capable of almost anything sequence-wise live (but then again, so few people use it because it is almost strictly performance oriented) ...
That's what the Fantom X is all about sequencing optimized for keys ... which is admittedly a weird niche occupied in DAWs now not gig-ready workstations) ... I would have loved to use the X more for songs and sequencing -- mostly for keys and sound engine) but the interminable load and save times (and the fact you couldn't at least play the current sound while the memory operation took place ... that just killed it for me ... )
Always was intrigued by the MV ....
I believe that also had a hard drive ...
One the other hand, they are fairly beastly if keys be your main thing like me ...
u dont hafta use a mouse.. u dont even hafta hook it up to the computer at all... if i didnt buy the Fusion, i wouldve DEFINITELY bought the X... or even the older "S" for that matter... i say get it.. the positives cleary outweigh the negatives.
Wait for the MV image to load.
Click on the video tab
Scroll to the last video
Now view ''MV8800 NAMM booth demo''
Mike Acosta does a very good demo of the MV
@4.50 ish Mike mentions how the pattern tracks get loaded on to pads, a bit like RPS but each Pattern has 64 MIDI tracks, 1 Audio track and 1 Mute track and you can have 500 Patterns per project
In Song mode you get 128 MIDI tracks and 8 Audio tracks with 1 Pattern control track recording how you play the patterns in Song mode plus the usual mute and tempo control tracks.
You can create a Pattern in song mode and dump it into it's own pattern
You can create a Pattern in Pattern mode and dump it into a linear song mode or chain patterns on the pattern control track in song mode
It has the typical DAW controls with hot keys or mouse/menu choice for all the main functions.
I picked up a slightly used Fantom X6 last year and I have to say it's probably my most favourite keyboard I've ever owned (other than my Andromeda).
The sequencer is quite easy to use and powers my live setup as I generally don't like to use my laptop for live work.
I use Logic to make up my tracks then transfer a MIDI file to the X6 and clean it up for live use.
I've had good and bad Roland gear over the years and I have to say as far as workstations is concerned I clearly remember the atrocity of the W30 way back in the day. They've redeemed themselves
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