V-Synth GT v/ Fantom G

I don't have a G or a V-Synth GT- but I do have a Sonic Cell (sort of a diet G rompler). I can tell you that I am waiting to get a V-stynth. It just oozes creativity to me. If you are doing electronic music- I would say cancel the G and get the V-synth. It definately is it's own kind of beat- where the G is a workstation- which is great and all- but you could get a Vsynth and a Sonic Cell (plus a couple of SRX cards) and have a wicked powerhouse setup (not that you don't already).
My vote is to ditch the G and get the V-GT.

it has been said many times before.......'anit what we got but what we choose to do with it'.........and wow! you've got loads of capable stuff i'm guessing.

lately i've been checking out the postings on the fantom G side,this may give you some clues as to how users are liking it...?or not liking it..?

as for our V's...? if you hear a hum...?..... it's probably you purring...

(still when parting with your bucks do some major research)

Astral, I do think you made a mistake... The V-Synth is such a special instrument, it is THE tool for today's and tomorrow's music. It can do very interesting analog/digital sounds no other gear can do, because it has effects processors right in the synthesis section (the COSM blocks), which include stuff like waveshaper, frequency shifter and lo-fi. But what's really amazing is it's VariPhrase technology which allows you to do magic with samples. Take a single note out of a phrase and make it a new instrument, time-trip through any sound, change the melody of a pre-recorded phrase and so on.

Read more about VariPhrase here:
http://www.rolandclan.info/media/documents/en/v-synth/Welcome_to_Elastic_Audio.pdf

And check out my audio demos here:

http://www.sinevibes.com/media/soundware/v-motions/V-Motions.mp3

http://www.sinevibes.com/media/publications/v-synth-tb/V-Synth%20TB3%20demo.mp3

hi friend,

I had the same dillema u have, and I ended up buying both - the G and the v synth GT. I've been a musician for 15 years but have little experience with synths. Even so, I could tell just from listening the demos that the V synth is a totally special breed. You ca't really compare it with the fantom since they belong to two different classes, but in my opinion they both excell at what they do.
The only limit you have with the V synth GT is your own imagination - Artemiy is right, is the basis for future music, whichever way you plan it.
the G has a decent sequencer, honestly I had higher expectations after reading some very enthousiastic posts. Still, it is very usable and most certainly it will be updated in the future by adding more functionality. Tones on G8 are great, and possibilities for tweaking the same.

Off-topic: it is very strange from my perspective of playing/composing on mainly acoustic instruments how having all this possibilities under your fingertips makes creating music harder, not easier. It is SO easy to get distracted from the composition and start playing around with all the different settings and knobs...

enjoy your G and get a V synth GT as well.

my 2c

The thing about V-Synth- it was never on demo in my city’s guitar center and not much information available- well- some information but not convincing enough. And then the price. It’s been over a year- c’mon now- it gotta drop by now. Same story was with original V-Synth- Roland was holding the price sky high and then they was giving them away for free after they discontinued ‘em. I missed my original V-Synth at GC for 1200$, and then they all gone, but the point is- it’s been over a year and they still have unrealistic price. I don’t feel comfortable to pay such money for analog machine. Altho Artemiy, thank you for sound demos. I did hear few sounds I don’t have on my other gear- mostly those fat analog pad-like sounds- is it the arpeggiator you using on them or playing notes yourself? Sounds little more fat than I would want it- gonna take all sonic floor, but hey- it must feel good to play with and that’s all that counts, right? I could not even get information on simple question like “Does it or does it not have arpeggiator” Ok- I think it does, but is it basic “Up, Down, Random type of thing or has a phrases? I did not read the article you offered yet, but will soon- I have ZERO understanding on machine (ok- my fault, but I only found you guys may be a month ago). Also about Fantom G- what kind of arpeggiator does it have?

If it was up to me- I would sure have them all. I like your approach, Profu- I may get V-Synth at some point. Now- let me ask you thin question: is there 3 shelves keyboard stands available? And if not- any info on when the V-GT rack may possibly be available?

Thank you for replies

Astral, if you have questions about the GT or G then why wouldn't you just download the owners manuals. Yes, the GT has an Arpeggiator and a nice one at that. You can do more than up/down like build complex phrases.
http://www.roland.com/PRODUCTS/en/_support/om.cfm?ln=en&dsp=0&iCncd=2169

That is a good idea, except... I really having hard time reading manual of the gear I don't own. I hardly read the once I do own. lol. I am "hands on" type of person and get away with it by experience. But you say- building phrases? Nothing premade? I guess we are spoiled by Yamaha Motif's arps. There over 6000 arps in Motif XS. And, yes, I like more, because it does not really works to use arps from another workstation- it is mIDI data but it does not translates well- I did try.

mmm.... that gear list you have really screams for a V-Synth. You already have a sample based synthesizer with the Motif. You are definitely missing out on variphrase.

I'm really glad I found this thread. I was thinking of getting a Fantom G6(for polyphony and the PFX) and make a friend real happy by selling him my V-Synth XT and PCR-800. I thought the Fantom had everything the V-Synth XT had and more. Oh well, no sale I guess. If I may also include I have a Fantom XR I plan to couple with a VB-99 in a rack. My thought originally was to foolproof myself from possible MIDI troubles (especially live) by having less pieces and having the bass and keyboard "stations" as completely different setups. I also have an RD-700GX, UM-880, VK-8M, PK-7A, and an FC-300 waiting to be coupled with a VB-99. Actually Roland Canada was ultra cool to ask me to do an interview for them.

http//:www.roland.ca/default.asp?c=278

Would love to hear the Roland Clan's opinion- shouts to y'all from Toronto

Just for the record .. not one synth mentioned in this thread is ANALOG ...

Kenny, the Fantoms and V-Synths have totally different sound engines. And you will loose A LOT if you sell your XT. It's one of the very few modern instruments that are capable of giving you new amazing sounds for a couple decades to go.

I couldn't agree more with Artemiy : if you never truly reached the potential of the V-Synth, then you can for sure dismiss it for any rompler on the market without feeling any loss.

But the day you come into VA subtractive synthesis or/combined with Variphrase, you'll never look at the V-Synth the same way again (as in : it's not a damn preset machine)

Totally agreed guys. I checked out the manual for the Fantom G and there was no mention of VariPhrase(but it's still a very impressive piece of gear). For some reason I thought it had it. So the rig will stay as it is. Thanks again for this thread and responses.

Analog or not,
I'm totally happy with the gear I've got.