Re: Possible new FA-07 user
29 Mar 2018, 09:27In my mind Korg know how to market their stuff, they're very fresh with social media and branding - they have great demonstrators who go to the main retailers with youtube presence, and sell a product that you want.... usually until you play it in person. :)
You've then got Yamaha who always seem to be the blue eyed boys at most of the retailers, i don't know if it's a commission thing, or they look after retailers well that they've warranted that respect - but you speak to sales staff and Yamaha is always recommended. Perhaps they're very safe to recommend.
Then Roland, clearly going through a transition in the past few years, appearing to have replaced the Fantom line-up with a 'cheaper' Chinese made workstation in the FA ... And it's a little bit confusing, at least when it first came out as to 'what' it is (i.e. Juno or Fantom level?) I think that's why it's not so high on the radar, many people tip-toed their way towards it, with wariness.
Also, i don't know what's happened, but sales staff don't seem overly motivated to push Roland, all the stores around me have the Roland gear in the very far end of the store and most units you have to ask to move the power or speaker/headphones plugged in to them to audition. Perhaps the budget isn't there for Roland to push it at the retailers?!
Also the -06 keys makes it hard for respectful shop staff to sell to people who know a decent keybed, along with the original 'scratchy'/hard to read surface. Most people would dismiss it on those two factors, despite what it can do.
Another factor is how the FA range seems split across Yamaha/Korg rival products, despite being the same unit, the i feel -06 is clearly offset towards the MOXF/Kross range, now the -07 has arrived seems to be vs Krome ranges, and the -08 is peaking towards anything above that by default (i.e. Larger Kromes/Kronos/Motif).
Because the Fantom line doesn't seem to be there anymore, it does sit in a strange place in the market vs it's main rivals, and has to stretch quite a wide margin. I think that also doesn't go in it's favour, as what an earth do you compare it to?! I'd rant and rave about the FA vs a Kross for example, but not so much vs a Kronos, other than it's 'cheaper'.
Let's be honest here, you can nearly buy two -06's for the price of an -08.
I wish it was part of the Juno range and styling, with a new fantom on top of the FA with advanced sampling, extended SuperNATURAL, and maybe advanced the arpeggiators to be more dynamic and multiple instances across parts.
As daft as it sounds, i think it would then get many more plaudits as it would have a clear position in the market. Anyone who's walked the Fantom line now have hit a brick wall and would be looking at making compromises if they want to transition to the FA range for the new sound engines. And that's in build quality AND feature sets.
You've then got Yamaha who always seem to be the blue eyed boys at most of the retailers, i don't know if it's a commission thing, or they look after retailers well that they've warranted that respect - but you speak to sales staff and Yamaha is always recommended. Perhaps they're very safe to recommend.
Then Roland, clearly going through a transition in the past few years, appearing to have replaced the Fantom line-up with a 'cheaper' Chinese made workstation in the FA ... And it's a little bit confusing, at least when it first came out as to 'what' it is (i.e. Juno or Fantom level?) I think that's why it's not so high on the radar, many people tip-toed their way towards it, with wariness.
Also, i don't know what's happened, but sales staff don't seem overly motivated to push Roland, all the stores around me have the Roland gear in the very far end of the store and most units you have to ask to move the power or speaker/headphones plugged in to them to audition. Perhaps the budget isn't there for Roland to push it at the retailers?!
Also the -06 keys makes it hard for respectful shop staff to sell to people who know a decent keybed, along with the original 'scratchy'/hard to read surface. Most people would dismiss it on those two factors, despite what it can do.
Another factor is how the FA range seems split across Yamaha/Korg rival products, despite being the same unit, the i feel -06 is clearly offset towards the MOXF/Kross range, now the -07 has arrived seems to be vs Krome ranges, and the -08 is peaking towards anything above that by default (i.e. Larger Kromes/Kronos/Motif).
Because the Fantom line doesn't seem to be there anymore, it does sit in a strange place in the market vs it's main rivals, and has to stretch quite a wide margin. I think that also doesn't go in it's favour, as what an earth do you compare it to?! I'd rant and rave about the FA vs a Kross for example, but not so much vs a Kronos, other than it's 'cheaper'.
Let's be honest here, you can nearly buy two -06's for the price of an -08.
I wish it was part of the Juno range and styling, with a new fantom on top of the FA with advanced sampling, extended SuperNATURAL, and maybe advanced the arpeggiators to be more dynamic and multiple instances across parts.
As daft as it sounds, i think it would then get many more plaudits as it would have a clear position in the market. Anyone who's walked the Fantom line now have hit a brick wall and would be looking at making compromises if they want to transition to the FA range for the new sound engines. And that's in build quality AND feature sets.