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Jan1 Platinum Member
Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 765
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Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2019 2:33 pm Post subject: |
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I agree with the points of criticism mentioned in the review, and I think Roland never should have released the Fantom in its current state.
I can't believe they have actually been working on it since 2011 and then suddenly decided to release it with a nineties type of ROM for acoustic emulations and an incomplete sequencer that is of no practical use to me.
And I am not a Roland hater, quite the opposite.
But for me to consider buying this Fantom it will take more than just one major update, not only in terms of adding other engines but also in upgrading the sequencer by adding linear tracks among other things.
And then there are the reports of complete crashes...it's not wise to release an instrument prematurely. |
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GregC Platinum Member
Joined: 15 May 2002 Posts: 9451 Location: Discovery Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)
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Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2019 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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I don't consider myself nit picky, but Fantom seems to be falling short in important areas . The on board SEQ is 1 example for me.
Roland , IMO, has to get a revised and thorough OS implemented very soon. Thats the solution to maintain interest.
It is curious about the business thought process of Roland management.
They are testing brand loyalty from what I see.
Many musicians are demanding of perfection. And also impatient [ I fit this ] if something doesn't work as promoted.
And there is the Internet.
Plus so many have perfect hindsight. _________________ Kronos 88. MODX8
Achieve your musical dreams
https://soundcloud.com/user-898236994 |
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jimknopf Platinum Member
Joined: 17 Jan 2011 Posts: 3374
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Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2019 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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Gigging musicians simply can't afford that degree of half-baked.
Some home studio Roland addicts will play around with the limited possibilities and sounds. I wish them well. But if Roland is serious, they should
- improve the OS really fast
- deliver a complete set of overall sound content worth writing home about really fast
Or the new Fantom will sink like another Roland "flagship" with some big holes in it. It is ridiculously expensive for a device not ready for market. _________________ Kronos 73 - Moog Voyager RME - Moog LP TE - Behringer Model D - Prophet 6 - Roland Jupiter Xm - Rhodes Stage 73 Mk I - Elektron Analog Rytm MkII - Roland TR-6s - Cubase 12 Pro + Groove Agent 5
Last edited by jimknopf on Sat Nov 16, 2019 9:21 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Jan1 Platinum Member
Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 765
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Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2019 9:12 pm Post subject: |
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2020 is a nice number, 9 years after the workstation with 9 engines.
I have some hope KORG may come up with a nice surprise, in spite of the nagging doubt that they will follow the Intel route and produce yet another minor variation on the old familiar theme.
KORG knows how to build a workstation and maybe they will surprise us again. |
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Jan1 Platinum Member
Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 765
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Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2019 9:42 pm Post subject: |
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jimknopf wrote: | Gigging musicians simply can't afford that degree of half-baked.
Some home studio Roland addicts will play around with the limited possibilities and sounds. I wish them well. But if Roland is serious, they should
- improve the OS really fast
- deliver a complete set of overall sound content worth writing home about really fast
Or the new Fantom will sink like another Roland "flagship" with some big holes in it. It is ridiculously expensive for a device not ready for market. |
There's nothing I'd love to see more than Roland following through with a series of important updates, but considering their track record for supporting instruments in the past I won't spend any money based on rumors of future expansions and upgrades. |
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Devnor Full Member
Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Posts: 222
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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jimknopf wrote: | Gigging musicians simply can't afford that degree of half-baked. |
Fantom already being used on TV (The Voice). Ed Diaz gigs with his Fantom. Other users on FB group posting pics of their Fantom on the gig. I could do a typical 80s coverband with just Fantom if I wanted. It's not as crippled as you think.
An artist never blames his tools. Even with legacy PCM there's an all new VA synth plus a fantastic new filter, step LFOs and osc structures. Combine these elements in different ways to create sounds. It's very easy to create evocative, moving textures with Fantom. I have a cool new scene called Carrying No Cross. It's the beginning of the UK tune on the Fantom. Takes 4 hands to play it and someone else to mix it but it's got that haunting stuttering CS80 effect, the organ isn't quite right(LOL) but it works and ends with string layers and the reverse piano & John Wetton's voice triggered from the pad. It does not sound exactly like Eddie's recording in 1978 but that scene could easily open the tune for a tribute band with the aid of the sequencer. The same sequencer Jan1 thinks has "no practical use".
There's another update coming soon. Maybe just bug fix. _________________ Fantom 7, Kronos 2, V Synth GT, Moog Voyager |
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Scott Platinum Member
Joined: 16 Oct 2009 Posts: 1015
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 9:29 pm Post subject: |
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I did some gigs this year with just an AX-Edge. All those sounds are in the Fantom, though with a lot more editing/controls/split-layers, etc. So I'm sure I could gig with that too! |
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GregC Platinum Member
Joined: 15 May 2002 Posts: 9451 Location: Discovery Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 10:07 pm Post subject: |
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Its a free market. Just because I [ and others] am on the fence on Fantom does not apply to those who want it yesterday.
we all have our reasons for right now yesterday and wait around for 2 months.
I understand that sense of right and wrong or what makes sense etc. Or what happened 5 or 10 years with Roland, etc etc.
If the kid next door got a $4000 Fantom today, that wouldn't change my mind. Even if he gets 5 million hits on YouTube tomorrow.
And with todays retail, return privileges , I don't believe anyone has hurt themselves by buying a new expensive keyboard from a solid retailer and returning it in 30 days. _________________ Kronos 88. MODX8
Achieve your musical dreams
https://soundcloud.com/user-898236994 |
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Jan1 Platinum Member
Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 765
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Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 9:17 pm Post subject: |
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Interesting to note is that the Fantom has come down in price, here in Europe the Fantom 8 now costs almost 3500 Euros, 500 Euros less than the initial price. |
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GregC Platinum Member
Joined: 15 May 2002 Posts: 9451 Location: Discovery Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)
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Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 10:55 pm Post subject: |
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for advertised in US, the 88 is still $3999 for factory new. Same on eBay.
But retailers might be dealing , a whisper street price.
And due to the time of year, they are tossing a variety of incentives.
which is normal and applicable to many high price purchases. _________________ Kronos 88. MODX8
Achieve your musical dreams
https://soundcloud.com/user-898236994 |
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ITguy54 Full Member
Joined: 22 Mar 2015 Posts: 245
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Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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Jan1 wrote: | 2020 is a nice number, 9 years after the workstation with 9 engines.
I have some hope KORG may come up with a nice surprise, in spite of the nagging doubt that they will follow the Intel route and produce yet another minor variation on the old familiar theme.
KORG knows how to build a workstation and maybe they will surprise us again. |
Or maybe I should buy a used 88 key OASYS on Ebay. They are a lot less expensive than a Kronos. There's some loaded ones out there. |
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John01W Platinum Member
Joined: 13 Dec 2002 Posts: 1301 Location: Tejas
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Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 12:29 am Post subject: |
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Seems all Korg Kronos' are on sale right now $500 off! |
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GregC Platinum Member
Joined: 15 May 2002 Posts: 9451 Location: Discovery Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)
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Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 12:53 am Post subject: |
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John01W wrote: | Seems all Korg Kronos' are on sale right now $500 off! |
Us only
For 8 days
88 is $3299 net
8 yrs ago I paid $2975 _________________ Kronos 88. MODX8
Achieve your musical dreams
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theshinenz Full Member
Joined: 18 Sep 2009 Posts: 240
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GregC Platinum Member
Joined: 15 May 2002 Posts: 9451 Location: Discovery Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)
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Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2019 3:25 am Post subject: |
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theshinenz wrote: | https://www.facebook.com/jordanrudessofficial/videos/584843702263587/
Jordan trying out the new Fantom. |
what did you think of the audio quality of the recording ? _________________ Kronos 88. MODX8
Achieve your musical dreams
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