Sequencer G vs X

If you like pattern mode on the X, the G does NOT have a workable equivalent. Yes they still use "patterns" but it's different. Phrases can function like pattern mode but just don't expect the same ease of creativity that the pattern mode gives you on the x. I used to really dislike the lack of an old-style MMT-8/MC-50 pattern sequencer for backing tracks but I got over it.

Editing is a chore. The mouse definitely helps but one of the major annoyances is that you can't edit a phrase on the fly. You have to stop, enter edit phrase mode. go into microscope mode, make the edit listening to ONLY the individual phrase, exit edit mode, re-enter song mode and then START AT THE BEGINNING, forward or click to the spot you were at previously and then listen to what you changed. I use to do most of my fine edits on the X because you could edit on the fly and within the context of the song without skipping a beat. I now use the G for scratch and do all the fine editing on my PT rig.

There are a lot of gorgeous sounds on the G that the X can't touch. Having said that, there are quite a few disappointments (for me personally), sounds like a classic RD piano that the G can't reproduce. If you have the ability, I would keep the X and get the G. The G is definitely a much better overall synth, but if you're like me, youll miss the years of custom sounds that you may not be able to re-create on the G.

frankly if you are happy with your X you should keep it.. the loss of rhythm and arp pattern editing was a sad loss. also IMO the G does not sound better, it just sounds different, due to the "improved" converters, but the waveforms are also not a 100% overlap, though you could MS some from the X if you were that keen.

I've heard about the lack of ability to edit phrase on the fly, but never gave it much attention, i hope its not one of those things you cant appreciate until you've lost them. I know it should be sort of a workflow killer, but not that much, i THINK i can live with that, specially with 128 midi and 24 audio tracks in my mind. (i know they dont have anything to do one with other, but they balance in my mind pros vs cons)

As for the "START AT THE BEGINNING" issue, its really disappointing that Roland turn its back away from the G, because it sounds like something a little update could easily fix this.

Im have a doubt @mystic38.. What do you mean with "the loss of rhythm and arp pattern editing"...?
Mmm, I really hope i am misreading.

My next concern; polyphony. With the same polyphony the X's has, it concerns me that it would be like having a Formula 1 car with only 100 yards to accelerate. Because in my X's 16 track seq i do run out of voices! and they end up dropping like a minute before they should!! How is the G different from the X in that matter?

Sound wise I HAVE tested the G a couple of times (none of them on a gig, just music stores), and frankly: NOT impressed at all, but i blame it on the roland amps of the store-- or the cheap headphones they have available for that purpose. I never trust the music-store sound. And a IMO a DEMO never really gets a board's potential out. I need it for a week before making a statement about it. But what else do you guys think about it? (my reference is the X's library)

On the G you can MUTE tracks, but on the X you can SOLO and MUTE tracks.

in the fx, just like the juno (which i have) you can create and edit rhythm patterns using pattern editing, and ditto with the arps. there is no pattern editing for rhythm patterns.. you have to edit the midi phrase itself. if you use the arpeggiator at all you will be very sadly disappointed in the fantom G, it has no ability to create user arpeggiation patterns.

with an identical synth structure and a sizeable overlap in waveforms i dont think you should expect to be blown away by the sounds.. it *should* sound very similar..IMO it sounds cleaner due to different converters, but this does not necessarily make it sound better per se..(this is the same as virus B>C>Ti issue.

On the subject of Sequencer G vs X

The workflow in the G is a bit different but once you get over it
it all works very well.
Im not going to try defend the G against the X or visa versa..
Its just something you have to get use to.. I have both the G and X
Im using the G More and the X serves as a legacy device for some older music.
I may sell it at some point not sure when.

It would be nice that the veterans users post some vids about his workflow with the G sequencer (recording, editing phrases and all that) for people like me who are missing with this capability.

yutube has a bunch from dan and others

avl_digital wrote:

It would be nice that the veterans users post some vids about his workflow with the G sequencer (recording, editing phrases and all that) for people like me who are missing with this capability.