The Roland Fantom G series is one of the biggest news stories to come from Winter NAMM 2008. This is the most powerful and luxurious workstation that Roland has ever released, and with so much going on inside the computerized brain of the Fantom-G series synths, let's just dive right into the big new features that make the Fantom-G series one of the most exciting new products to grace the music market in 2008. Advanced Sound Engine The Roland Fantom-G series, which includes the Fantom-G8, -G7, and -G6 kicks things off with a powerful new audio processor that provides even deeper sonic depth and versatility. It doubles the wave-ROM capability of the previous version and contains a plethora [a word I usually try to use sparingly] of SRX-quality sounds. What really sets the Fantom-G series ahead of its predecessors is the brand new ARX expansion, allowing additional SuperNATURAL sound-sets and fully dedicated synth and effects engines to add on to the Fantom's frightening amount of power. Take a closer look: SuperNATURAL� ARX Expansion SuperNATURAL is Roland's unique behavior-modeling technology that brings a higher level of organic, emotional expression that helps make synthesizers sound less synthetic. It allows for subtle, realistic tonal changes that really bring out the nuances heard in the actual instruments that Roland emulates. It also works wonders to make electronic and non-traditional sounds feel more alive. The Fantom-G synthesizers each have two ARX slots to accomodate a pair of SuperNATURAL expansion boards. Onboard Power Sequencer The Fantom-G is the first instrument that Roland has released to contain this newly designed power sequencer. It provides 128 tracks, 24 of which are audio tracks, in an audio/MIDI graphical environment. You can also add a computer mouse to the mix for computer-like speed and ease that you've grown comfortable with over hours and hours of aimless surfing when you really should be getting those TPS reports that your boss wanted in by, like, yesterday. To complement the new power sequencer, you also have combo XLR / TRS connectors, phantom power for condenser mics, a Hi-Z input for real guitar and bass, and a line input. And how is this all graphically represented, you ask? Luxurious Extra-Wide LCD The 8.5 wide TFT color LCD provides a large, easy-to-read view to increase productivity and decrease squinty eye syndrome. In addition to this screen, you've got hands-on control that includes eight sliders, four knobs, and ten buttons directly below the LCD screen. Amazing FX The Fantom-G is also loaded with an incredibly qualitative effects engine that makes available an onslaught of multi-effects for each sound or part on the Fantom-G. Switch over to 16-part multi-timbre mode, and you can use up to 22 effects routings simultaneously. This allows the ability to create complex effects setups with 16 insert effects per multi-timbral patch group, and that's not even counting global reverbs and choruses. You also have access to mastering effects to finish off the songs you've composed with the on-board sequencer. Supreme Keyboard Feel & Action The Fantom-G8 uses Roland's high end PHA II Ivory Feel keys, and don't worry. No elephants were harmed in the making of this keyboard. Pianists will now get the classic, comfortable surface feel of acoustic piano without the guilt from Dumbo-huggers. The white keys have a two-piece structure, reducing the developed keyboard surface material, and they're designed to absorb moisture because you'll love the feel so much you'll play until your hands are sweating and/or bleeding. Because my computer keyboard doesn't have the same moisture absorbing capabilities, here is the cast of other supporting features that make the Roland Fantom-G series hauntingly beautiful. Keyboard - 88 keys [Fantom-G8], PHA II, Ivory feel, with velocity and channel aftertouch
- A maximum polyphony of 128 voices shared with the sampling section
- 16 parts [internal] and 16 parts [external] plus two parts ARX and 24 parts [Audio Track]
- 256MB (16-bit linear equivalent) Wave Memory
- 2,153 Waveforms [no more, no less]
- Patches: 1,500 + 256 (GM2)
- Rhythm Sets: 64 + 9 (GM2)
- Live Sets: 512
- Studio Sets: 128
- 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
- 16-bit linear, .WAV or .AIFF
- Sampling Frequency: 44.1kHz
- Maximum Sampling Time
- When sampling memory isn't expanded (32MB): 360 sec. approx. in mono and 180 sec. approx in stereo
- When sampling memory is expanded with DIMM (544MB): 108 min. approx. of mono and 54 min. approx. in stereo
- 2,000 samples per single product
Sequencer Section - Tracks
- MIDI tracks (Internal/External/ARX): max. 128
- Audio track: max. 24
- Tempo track: 1
- Beat track: 1
- 480 TPQN
- Tempo: 5.00 to 300.00
- 50 songs per project
- 2,000 phrases per project
- Approximately one million notes per project [said with pinkie finger up to mouth
- Song Length: 9,998 measures [Almost enough for Dream Theater]
- Real-time or step recording
- Controllers:
- Pitch Bend/Modulation Lever
- Four Control Knobs
- Eight Control Sliders
- Two Assignable Switch
- 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) and Two Control Pedal Jacks (assignable)
- MIDI IN, OUT, THRU
- USB Computer Connector (supports file transfer or mass storage class, and Audio/MIDI)
- USB Mouse Connector
- Digital Audio Interface COAXIAL INPUT / OUTPUT
- AC Inlet
Other - Arpeggio Sets: 128
- RPS Sets: 32
- Rhythm Pattern Sets: 32
- Chord Memory Sets: 128
- Graphic Type Display, 8.5, Wide VGA (800 x 480 dots), backlit LCD (Color)
- 16 pads, Velocity and Polyphonic Aftertouch sensitive
- Expansion for sound generator: ARX expansion boards: 2 slots
- Expansion for sampling memory: DIMM -- One slot, supports PC133, CL=2/3, 3.3 V, 128MB, 256MB, 512MB
- USB Flash Memory External Storage
- Power Supply: AC 117 V, AC 230 V, AC 240 V (50/60Hz), AC 220 V (60Hz)
- Power Consumption: 30 W
- Included Accessories: Owner's Manual, CD-ROM (Editor, USB MIDI driver), Power Cord
- Options: 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: 1,396 mm / 55 inches
- Depth: 502 mm / 19-13/16 inches
- Height: 183 mm / 7-1/4 inches
- Weight: 32.0 kg / 70 lbs. 9 oz
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