Roland Fantom X on:
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The Fantom-X (Xa/X6/X7/X8/XR) is a
The X6, X7, and X8, apart from their keyboards, are almost identical in the controls they offer, the internal software they run, and the expansions they accept.
In 2005 the 61-key Fantom-Xa was released. The Xa still uses the same Waveforms and the new X series Chip. The Xa comes with a smaller mpc style graphical green screen, the keyboard is not as professional, and lacks aftertouch.
Fantom-X on Roland's website
Fantom-X on Synth.marketFantom-Xa review at SoundonSound
Fantom-X Music workstations Polyphonic synthesizers Digital synthesizers {{Electronic-musical-instrument-stub
music workstation
A music workstation is an electronic musical instrument providing the facilities of:
*a sound module,
*a music sequencer and
*(usually) a musical keyboard.
It enables a musician to compose electronic music using just one piece of equipment.
...
/synthesizer
A synthesizer (also spelled synthesiser) is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals. Synthesizers typically create sounds by generating waveforms through methods including subtractive synthesis, additive synthesis ...
produced by Roland Corporation
is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment, and software. It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka on 18 April 1972. In 2005, its headquarters relocated to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. It has f ...
. It was introduced in 2004 as an upgrade from the Fantom S series. The Fantom-X competes with the Korg Triton
The Korg Triton is a music workstation synthesizer, featuring digital sampling and sequencing, released in 1999. It uses Korg's HI Synthesis tone generator and was eventually available in several model variants with numerous upgrade options. The ...
/Triton Extreme, the Yamaha Motif ES
The Yamaha Motif is a series of music workstation synthesizers, first released by Yamaha Corporation in August 2001. The Motif replaced the EX series in Yamaha's line-up and was also based on the early Yamaha S series. Other workstations in the ...
and other similar large-scope keyboards such as the discontinued Alesis Fusion
Alesis Fusion is a music production workstation produced by Alesis introduced in early 2005. It uses four different types of synthesis: sample and synthesis, virtual analog, FM and physical modeling. It includes sampling capability through ana ...
. In 2008 it was succeeded by the Fantom-G*, which was devised to compete with the new Korg and Yamaha flagship keyboards.
Features
The Roland Fantom-X features a 128-voice PCM-basedsynthesizer
A synthesizer (also spelled synthesiser) is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals. Synthesizers typically create sounds by generating waveforms through methods including subtractive synthesis, additive synthesis ...
, a 16-track MRC-Pro sequencer
Sequencer may refer to:
Technology
* Drum sequencer (controller), an electromechanical system for controlling a sequence of events automatically
* DNA sequencer, a machine used to automatically produce a sequence readout from a biological DNA samp ...
, 6 effects processors, dynamic pads and infrared D-Beam, a stereo sampler and full on-screen editing. The Fantom X received an audio recorder upgrade with version 2.00 that allows for 8 stereo audio tracks integrated with the internal MIDI sequencer.
*The Fantom X6 - 61-key version with aftertouch
*The Fantom X7 - 76-key version with aftertouch
*The Fantom X8 - 88-key fully weighted piano keyboard
*The Fantom XR - (rackmount module version) accepts up to six SRX expansion boards.
*The Fantom Xa - Newer model with a smaller screen. Has multiple I/O, microphone inputs, multisampling and 128-note polyphony.
All Fantom X series, except for Xa, accept up to four SRX-series wave expansion boards. Total of 12 different SRX boards were produced.
Models
There are five models in the Fantom-X family: * X6: 61 keys - velocity and aftertouch. * X7: 76 keys - velocity and aftertouch. * X8: 88 weighted, hammer-action keys. * XR: Rack-mountedsound module
A sound module is an electronic musical instrument without a human-playable interface such as a piano-style musical keyboard. Sound modules have to be operated using an externally connected device, which is often a MIDI controller, of which th ...
holds up to six SRX expansion boards but does not feature a sequencer.
* Xa: 61 keys - velocity only.
The X6, X7, and X8, apart from their keyboards, are almost identical in the controls they offer, the internal software they run, and the expansions they accept.
In 2005 the 61-key Fantom-Xa was released. The Xa still uses the same Waveforms and the new X series Chip. The Xa comes with a smaller mpc style graphical green screen, the keyboard is not as professional, and lacks aftertouch.
Successors
After the Fantom-X, Roland produced its successor, the Fantom-G, which included twice the waveform memory, more patches, 128 voice polyphony, advanced and easy to use sequencer. Fantom-G accepts new ARX wave expansion cards, has larger full-color screen, 16 insert effects per patch and other improvements. A partial follow up to the Roland Fantom-X is the Integra-7 sound module. It does not have sequencer, sampler or other functions, however it does contain the waveforms of all SRX boards at a time. In 2019, Roland released the Fantom 6/7/8 series workstation which includes multiple synth engines, following the footsteps ofKorg Kronos
The Kronos is a music workstation manufactured by Korg that combines nine different synthesizer sound engines with a sequencer, digital recorder, effects, a color touchscreen display and a keyboard. Korg's latest flagship synthesizer series a ...
and Yamaha Montage.
References
External links
Fantom-X on Roland's website
Fantom-X on Synth.market
Fantom-X Music workstations Polyphonic synthesizers Digital synthesizers {{Electronic-musical-instrument-stub