Fantom-G

Such a shame...but I still love my Fantom...

Such a shame...but I still love my Fantom...

4 May 2012, 10:09
Hi there,

I've posted before about the shared feeling that many of us have with Roland seemingly giving up supporting the Fantom G. 6 months or so on since my last post on this I still feel the same, p*ssed with Roland or not, I still love my Fantom and it's only recently that I am getting the best out of it that I can. Of course it'd be nice to see a new OS or some new ARX's but I think hell will freeze over before that.

Of course we have all been here before with obsolete hardware over the years,but for many of us the Fantom reignited our creative energies by it's tactile simplicity. I spent years never really enjoying the PC/Mac experience and the Fantom got me back into playing and recording music again.

I've just started working with my two little boys (2 and 4), teaching them to play and getting them composing as soon as they can manage a melody, and the Fantom is great for getting things up and running quickly and sounding great. I can't imagine having the same 'hands on' experience with the PC, a generic midi keyboard and a mouse.

To me, the Fantom is the Fairlight I always dreamed of owning as a teenager (I'm pushing 40 now) and I dread the day that that it goes to the great auction site in the sky.

I'd be interested in other members feelings on this, or am I being overly sentimental lol...

Peace,
Steve

BTW, my kids little song (we did it in a couple of days on the Fantom G8 with the VP-7 sampled in) can be found at

http://www.mp3unsigned.com/ArtistPage.aspx?bandid=26849

Re: Such a shame...but I still love my Fantom...

5 May 2012, 10:38
I feel the same way, I'd done the software thing for years, learned every feature & function of my DAW.. but when i got my fantom, i found myself actually 'playing' the keyboard so much that it took me a long time to go through all the features. This is not like me, i usually pick apart every little detail of a new piece of gear. Still, i find myself playing the keyboard more often than 'just playing around'. :) great tactile sensation!.

I've had the fantom G since it came out. Recently, I've built some software to support it. Since at this point, we know Roland probably won't.. I just wish i would've thought of this earlier. :)

Never mind Roland. I'll continue to support my fantom as long as it supports me... Not a shame at all..

Re: Such a shame...but I still love my Fantom...

5 May 2012, 16:57
hi,

'interested to know about the software you have built. Anything that can enhance the capability and keep the Fantom as the main device is great by me.

Glad to hear that you also play more than mess with the features, I totally agree that it is only now after a couple of years that I am actually getting the best out of it. My playing has defintely improved, jsut need to find a solution for the dreaded 'key wear'...

Thanks for your reply.

Re: Such a shame...but I still love my Fantom...

5 May 2012, 18:09
Yeah the G is just one of those things you gotta warm up to slowly to appreciate it..
Though a lot of people don't have the time or patience to do this..
It can be understandable if your a performer..
you dont have the time to explore you need instant ability and sound..
and if your a producer.. well if time is money your probably not going to have time either..

So where does that leave the G.. Probably in the hands of the enthusiasts and hobbyists to find out all there is to know about it..
And now we know how great it is and its potential as a workstation alas.. roland drop it when they realy should be pushing it as it IS their Only current workstation..



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Re: Such a shame...but I still love my Fantom...

5 May 2012, 18:18
Quinnx. wrote:
And now we know how great it is and its potential as a workstation alas.. roland drop it when they realy should be pushing it as it IS their Only current workstation..
'Totally agree, I've spoken to so many pro's that use the G and they feel the same, surely Roland have another workstation in mind to replace the G? I know that this has been discussed elsewhere on here but are Roland that blind to how much potential there is in it?

Not all of us have the patience to juggle like we used to, I'm happier just getting down to writing songs and keeping up the momentum in the creative process...not fiddling and getting frustrated trying to make things work, let alone spending hours auditioning effects and patches that I will probably never use...as I said before, the G has improved both my writing and my playing tenfold.

Re: Such a shame...but I still love my Fantom...

6 May 2012, 05:32
I'm curious to know why Roland dropped support for it????

Its still their only current workstation,and its a few years old now,I know they've got the JP80 to parade about,but there different beasts!

I got my G6 last year,so am a late comer to it,but after using many workstation brands over the years, this is my first Roland Workstation(Had plenty of Roland synths just never a workstation from them)don't understand why all the negativity from people about it,Perhaps thats why Roland ditched support then??Maybe a Kind of well "Stuff You then "attitude towards those who complained.

it may not have the sparkling sounds of more current "Workstations" but by jolly its a far superior machine for the composer or lIve player.

There are mixed views from users from what I see,its seems the Fantom G has become like wine...

there are those who tasted it and felt it was vinegar,and there those who appreciatte its value and need it to mature to see its potential,then there are those who its always been like top notch champagne since the start!!!

The way I see it,those of us who enjoy it will see its potential for many years to come,let the haters fall to the wayside and bitch,they for me usually are the ones who have moved onto something else before they've even scratched the surface of the devices anyway.

The Fantom G is a superior Workstation that its not the sort of machine you can master in a few weeks it takes a while to understand its pros,and if you've the patience to stick with it you will reap the rewards,and appreciatte it,as with any instrument

I don't want Roland to supercede it,Just perhaps update the OS to amend a few faux pas.(However it would be really interesting to see what next generation they can come up with that can better such a great Workstation as the G)

Re: Tinpot Chanel bags,Chanel Shekels,Late Chanel(CHANEL)

6 May 2012, 17:39
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Last edited by MC808ter on 7 May 2012, 05:23, edited 1 time in total.

Re: Such a shame...but I still love my Fantom...

6 May 2012, 20:23
I think its going to be hard for roland the supersede or even compete with its now only workstation..
With its current footprint its kinda entrenched itself as the roland workstation platform.
I can only imagine that they will continue the JP format, they cant really go back from that AND produce a workstation with once again the same architecture as the G and not give something more. But I cannot imagine what would push me to get the next roland workstation, even if we forget the crap support and just look at the board.. what would make the push?

an updated sequencer interface? not too exciting.
maybe with supernatural (whatever it is its not going to compete with the JP80)
so again wheres the push?

All i will say is YES! im curious but not the least bit excited even if they announced tomorrow they where working on a new workstation..
Im sure it will just live upto my own expectations of roland and nothing more..
I could pretty much bet it wont happen this year and any chance of it will be 2013 summer.
Thats my forcast. :)



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