Fantom Series Useability

You may want to consider picking up a midi controller for your softsynths if you have problems with mouse-programming (don't blame you there at all). You can accomplish much of this with the FS, if you want, by using MIDI OUT and the "MIDI Learn" features of most softsynths these days (I've done that some). However, for softsynths with a lot of parameters, the FS may not have enough controllers for you. If that's the case, here's something else you might want to check out:

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.main&ID=2505615704f241ab716639de0db48fef

Of course, there's no keys in that, but you could always use your FS. If you need a more mobile solution including keys, then there's the other Evoluation models, the Oxygen types as well as the Edirol PCR/PCA series (In fact, I have a PCR-30, just for easy mobility).

Anyway, just some ideas.

[EDIT -- I just recalled something...went back to one of your earlier posts and realized that you already have a PCR-30. Sorry for pointing out what you apparently already know.

Cheers,
RW

Just Chill....

Hi ssante

Welcome to the forum.

I am with you in this post. I too work in IT and not only do I feel the strain in my fingers aswell, but also find that although I think computers are a great tool, they can hinder creativity and can stress you.

Try changing 'click' finger. I changed from index to middle finger. Now, I use both fingers instead of just one as this releaves some of the fatigue in continuous clicking.

If you don't already use them, learn keyboard shortcuts too. They stop you from moving you hands off the keyboard > to mouse > to keyboard > to mouse...

Going back to the world of FS and music - I have said that I prefer the screen on the FS than the FX on other posts. Now, laugh if you want, but I think I would find the colour screen too distracting ...and would give me the impression of staring at a computer screen (I do enough of that at work and at home like now!).

gtds

Thanks for the tips GTDS. I am in process of acting on those suggestions.

RW: I have a Edirol PCR-50 but its does not cover anywhere near all the parameters one needs to really program.

I also tried a Oxygen from M-Audio the board lasted about 2 months and died. It had horrible action and velocity setting were really bad.

The Edirol is much better.

I got really excited about software synths once they sounded better but I have found that the process of sound design on computer engages the LEFT BRAIN and diminishing the RIGHT BRAIN activity of creation. (Your mileage may very).



Stephanie Sante
Recording Artist
www.santemusic.com

Stephanie.
Good points about the usability.
In adition of what you have posted, I also would like to say about its accessibility.
One of the best things that Roland does is a kind of thing that I call tecnology for all... At least for now.
I'm blind, and the best way I could find to operate the Fantom-S, and other keybords independently was check out the informations on the screen with a sighted person, and memorise them.
I still have something to learn on it, but the basic things such as sequencing, creating patches, rhythm sets and performanses I can do now.
Softwares, the only software I use for manipulating digital audio is Sound Forge. Sometimes I use it to change some parameters of samples before loading my files into Fantom-S. The only work I do with the Fantom-S's sampler is to set the loop mod of my samples to fwd, so my samples are looped properly, of course, if necessary. If necessary I also delete some unwanted portions of the sample, so I can have my sample playied imediatly, but Fantom-S receives things almost ready to work.
Usability is one of the reasons of getting Sound Forge installed on my computer, because everything on this program is similar to an editing text. Because of my disability, I operate windows via keyboard, and a screen reader made by Freedom Scientific - http://www.freedomscientific.com.

Roland still doesn't give priority for things such as touch view, that for me, would be a bit anoying. Roland still are doing things for everybody, and I hope it never stops.
Seeing things like this posted on this forum makes me very happy, because people here thinks in all kind of people, for all kind of things.


Peace - Edu Camargo