Roland FANTOM 8 EX Synthesizer

• 88-key hammer action with wooden core
  
• Channel aftertouch
• 7" touch display
• Sound generation: Zen-Core, V-Piano Technology, ACB, VTW Organ, SuperNATURAL
• incl. 11 sound expansions: JUPITER-8, SH-101, JX-3P [ACB], n/zyme, JD-800, JUNO-106, JUPITER-8, JX-8P, SH-101 [ZEN-CORE], German Concert V-Piano Expansion 01, Acoustic Piano 3 Expansion [SuperNATURAL]
• expandable sound engine via Roland Cloud
• Multisampling (Multisample can be used as oscillator in Patch )
• over 7000 sounds
• over 90 Drum kits
• 93 multi-effects
• 16x Part EQ
• Master Compressor
• 32-band Stereo Vocoder
• Analog filter with 6 types + drive
• 128 LFOs can be used simultaneously
• 512 scenes for spontaneous ideas
• 16 parts/tracks with sequencer
• Realtime, step & TR recording
• Parameters can be recorded in the pattern
• Pattern length up to 64 bars
• Sampler with pad assignment (MPC style)
• 16 pads x 4 banks
• 128 Multi Samples
• 8000 samples / 2 GB capacity
• Rhythm Pattern
• Arpeggiator
• Chord Memory
• Seamless integration into the DAW Ableton Live

Connections:

• XLR & 6.3mm jack main out
  
• 2x stereo sub-outputs
• Dual analog filter output
  
• Headphone output
• 2x CV/Gate Out
• USB for host and external hard disk/USB stick
• 3x USB for other controllers etc.
• 2x micro/line inputs with level control
• 4x pedal inputs
• MIDI In, Out, Thru
• IEC connection (power)
  

Sounds & Synthesis

With the FANTOM EX, Roland has reached deep into its spending pants and equipped its flagship with over 7000 sounds and over 90 Drum kits, as well as the cutting-edge sound generators Zen Core, ACB, SuperNATURAL, VTW Organ and V-Piano. A sea of synthesizer sounds from well-known classics, strings, organ, piano, guitar, brass, choir, wind instruments and more; the selection in the FANTOM EX is simply remarkable! The Fantom EX comes with eleven sound expansions ex works: JUPITER-8, SH-101 and JX-3P are based on the popular ACB engine. The newer ZEN-Core synthesis contributes the expansions n/zyme, JD-800, JUNO-106, JUPITER-8, JX-8P and SH-101. From the popular SuperNATURAL Engine popular with pianists are German Concert V-Piano Expansion 01 and Acoustic Piano 3.

In addition, countless sample-based sounds of almost every style are included in the memory. About the Roland Cloud gives you access to further content and sound engines. The typical Roland sound architecture has been retained in that each sound can still consist of up to four parts. However, in FANTOM EX, the parts correspond to a complete, extensive synthesizer voice with its own oscillator and filter models, envelopes, modulation assignments and, of course, its own volume and panorama settings. A double LFO can also be used for each of the four parts, which not only has the usual waveforms, with and without BPM synchronization but also allows you to create your waveforms by hand.

We do the math: 16 tracks with up to 8 LFOs per sound; 128 LFOs simultaneously! Anyone who likes to create new sounds from scratch will find the source of all modulation ideas here. The extended architecture makes it possible to create sounds according to the modular principle: for example, take the SuperSaw oscillator (known from the JP-8000) and combine it with the Juno filter; what was previously reserved for modularity is now available here in a storable format! Different synthesis technologies can be set for each sound and part, so nothing stands in the way of a layered sound made up of a roaring organ, bells wrapped in delays and a crunchy Bass, for example.

Effects

A total of 93 multi-effects are just waiting to be used individually or in parallel/serially for each part to change and refine the sounds created. The selection of delays, reverbs, choruses, flangers and distortions- truly unique effects with wow character - should leave nothing to be desired. The FANTOM EX also has enough power to calculate complex effect chains for each of the 16 tracks without running out of breath. In addition, each part has its own equalizer. The master compressor is located at the main output. The analog filter, which has four different filter types (LPF 1/2/3, BPF, HPF & PKG) including Drive, has a special role to play. The filter can be assigned to individual tracks, the main output, a Return from the DAW or the analog inputs. This makes it not only an extended part of the sound generation but also an independent effect to add the finishing touches to sounds in the right place. With the 32-band Stereo vocoder, a specialized vocal effect has been implemented. This can be fixed to a set oscillator frequency or played with the numerous presets. The number of analysis bands can be reduced for an even more "we are the robots" feeling.

Sequencer & sampler

The sequencer of the FANTOM EX has been thoroughly revised and now offers different recording and composing concepts in parallel, which perfectly support the "genre-typical" recording methods. Instead of recording all tracks in one pattern "as before", the FANTOM EX offers the option of freely combining the 16 tracks and using them independently of each other. Songs can be arranged in a classic linear fashion or in the clip sequencer (comparable to Ableton Live). The TR/step sequencer, which is also capable of sub-steps and ratcheting, is ideal for programming rhythms. The perfectly played piano or funky organ can be recorded in real time, either with or without note quantization. The same applies to the 16 pads, which fire off individual sounds from the internal sound generator or your own samples. This pad function is familiar from Akai's MPC series. The sampler is also hidden behind the pads; with eightfold polyphony, four banks of 16 pads each can be assigned. Sounds and Loops can be up to 2GB in size, time stretching is of course also offered for Loops. A comprehensive arpeggiator and a chord memory function are also among the sophisticated recording aids of the FANTOM EX.

Complete DAW connection

The FANTOM EX can be fully integrated into the workflow of a DAW (e.g. Ableton Live, Apple Logic Pro, GarageBand, MainStage). With the integrated USB audio interface, 16 stereo tracks can be recorded, edited and, above all, processed on the computer in parallel. Three stereo tracks can be addressed from the DAW to the FANTOM EX, either for editing a track with the analog filter or as an audio output from the DAW to the main mixer. Plug-ins loaded in the DAW can be conveniently operated and edited from the FANTOM EX, including song position pointers and the entire DAW transport field. The DAW and plug-in control is also saved in the scenes and is available in seconds when called up; the prerequisite for this is that the computer is connected and the DAW is open. Otherwise, this data will not be taken into account when loading.

Thanks to several USB ports, it is of course possible to connect other devices in addition to a computer and an external storage medium such as a USB stick. For example, it is possible to connect a second keyboard for double manual playing, a breath controller or a fader box.