Roland Fantom G8 88-Key Workstation Keyboard
Roland Fantom-G, 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 Super-NATURAL expansion bay, large-sized color LCD, powerful new audio/MIDI sequencer, first-class “Ivory Feel” weighted keys and more.
Regardless of how sexy the Fantom looks, how many functions it boasts, and how easy it is to learn, a sub-par sound would be a deal-breaker. Fortunately, the Fantom G boasts all these amazing features as well as one of the most amazing sound engines in the industry.
The Fantom line has always been hailed for the quality of its voices, and this newest incarnation has double the wave capacity of its predecessor. Classic acoustic and electric piano sounds, thick and flexible synth patches, and an assortment of orchestral sounds all sound impressive, but the Fantom G really shows off its stuff when you add an ARX Super-NATURAL expansion board to one of the Fantom’s two expansion slots. Super-NATURAL is one of the most powerful synthesis engines at any price range; it’s called Super-NATURAL, because the sounds these expansion cards produce goes beyond realism. For example, the ARX-01 card specializes in incredibly detailed and realistic drum sounds, and thanks to Super-NATURAL technology, you can build the simulated drums from the ground up, dictating shell width, wood type, snare buzz, room dimensions, and more. Since the ARX expansion cards sport their own processor, the complex sound generation won’t slow down your Fantom in the least.
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If you dig tons of layered, lush, stereo effects, the Fantom is your best friend. Each multi-voice patch can support up to 22 simultaneous effects, with extensive routing and editing options to keep tweak-prone musicians happy for hours on end.
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 Super-NATURAL sound-sets and fully dedicated synth and effects engines to be added to this already powerful live workstation.
The Roland Fantom workstation has been around for almost nine years now, and with every iteration they get more powerful, sound more amazing, and are even easier to use. If you’re looking for a single instrument that can master every aspect of modern music, from performance to composition to production, look no further than the Roland Fantom G8.
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 microphones, Hi-Z input for guitar and bass, and line input.
Features
• Advanced sound engine with double wave capacity of previous flagship workstations
• Graphic user interface with extra-large 8.5” wide color LCD and mouse connectivity
• Top-of-the-line keyboard action; weighted PHA II “Ivory Feel” keyboard on Fantom-G8
• Newly developed onboard audio/MIDI sequencer with 128 tracks, including 24 audio tracks
• 2 x ARXexpansion with Super-NATURAL — the world’s greatest performance-expression technology
• Multi-FX for each part; up to 22 effects routings can be programmed simultaneously
• Heavy-duty casing with aluminum panel.
The generous screen also comes in handy when you’re using the Roland Fantom G in its alter-ego mode: as a totally decked-out production studio. Any professional workstation is going to have a sequencer on-board for composition, but the Fantom G8 boasts Roland’s “Power Sequencer”, a full-fledged multi-track audio and MIDI sequencer that behaves more like a computer-based DAW than a traditional keyboard workstation. The Fantom G’s arranger can handle up to 24 real audio tracks in addition to 128 MIDI tracks, with expandable recording memory for nearly two hours of CD-quality digital audio. With its plethora of analog inputs, audio can be recorded from just about any source–even high-end condenser mics, thanks the the phantom-powered, Neutrik “combi” XLR-1/4″ jack. Use it to sample live drums, record studio-quality vocals, or plug a Hi-Z instrument like a guitar or bass directly in and make use of the Fantom’s guitar-based effects. The G8′s sliders, rotary knobs, four-way cursor control and Jog Wheel make it easy to operate and navigate through the mixer window and effects patch lists, but the Fantom G also supports USB mouse integration.
Fantom-G provides ARX slots that accommodate two Super-NATURAL expansion boards. Super-NATURAL 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, Super-NATURAL 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.
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-timbale patch group, plus global reverbs and choruses. Mastering effects are provided for polishing songs created with the onboard sequencer.
Technical Information
Keyboard: 88 keys, PHA II, Ivory feel, with velocity and channel after touch
Maximum Polyphony: 128 voices, shared with the sampling section
Wave Memory: 256MB (16-bit linear equivalent)
Waveforms: 2,153
Parts: 16 parts (Internal) + 16 parts (External) + 2 parts (ARX)+ 24 parts (Audio Track)
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: 44.1 kHz
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
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:
- Real-time recording
- Step recording
Pitch Bend/Modulation Lever
Control Knob x 4
Control Slider x 8
Assignable Switch x 2
D Beam Controller
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
Digital Audio Interface: COAXIAL INPUT / OUTPUT
USB Connectors:
- USB Computer Connector (supports file transfer or mass storage class, and Audio/MIDI)
- USB Mouse Connector
Display: Graphic Type, 8.5 inch, Wide VGA (800 x 480 dots), backlit LCD (Color)
Pads: 16 pads, Velocity and Polyphonic After touch 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
Included Accessories
Owner’s Manual
CD-ROM (Editor, USB MIDI driver)
Power Cord
Width: 55 inches (1,396 mm)
Depth: 19-13/16 inches (502 mm)
Height: 7-1/4 inches (183 mm)
Weight: 32.0 kg, 70 lbs. 9 oz.
Tags: acoustic, Electric Piano, G-8, Professional Piano, roland, Super Sound, synth, Synthesizer, Workstation Keyboard
Piano, Synthesizer | adol77dai51 | 16 November 2009 |
