Employee Review

Fantom History

From the earliest keyboard workstations like the D-20, W-30 and other great ‘80’s boards, Roland has a long history that now reaches its peak with the Fantom-G series. With 128 tracks of sequencing, 24 tracks of digital audio, convenient storage to a USB memory stick, 22 independent multi-effects processors, a huge color screen operated by an included computer mouse, and too many more features to list here, the Fantom-G is at the Mt. Everest of keyboard workstations. Expansion boards will add the implementation of Roland’s new “supernatural” sound technology. On top of all that, the Fantom-G8 has Roland’s new “ivory feel” keyboard action with moisture wicking, anti-bacterial keys. The original Fantom was a 76 key version with a sleek titanium look and took Roland’s RPS (real time phrase sequencing) to full development. This allowed the triggering of phrases and arpeggios from different keys on the keyboard, and also the ability to bring in and out different rhythms and play along with them. This technology was later emulated by many other companies arpeggiators and is now a common feature among keyboard workstations. Many people forget it was a Roland innovation. The sound of the first Fantom was also a leap forward from previous sound engines, and the size of the display and digital outputs with 24 bit DA conversion were to set new standards for the industry. It was a great live performance keyboard. After the first Fantom came the Fantom-S and Fantom-S88, available in both a weighted 88 note version and an unweighted 61 key keyboard. Adding 288mb of sampling to the great Fantom sound engine and other features, the Fantom-S was a great product, but was only in the line for a year before the new Fantom-X series would become the first professional keyboard to have a fully color screen and up to a gig of memory! The Fantom-X was for years the flagship of Roland’s synth line, and was made in 61 and 76 key synth actions in the Fantom-X6 and Fantom-X7, and an 88 key weighted progressive hammer action in the Fantom-X8, giving piano like playability. With up to 544mb of internal sampling (with the addition of a 512mb PC memory chip), the ability to add 1GB in a memory card of your choice, and 8 tracks of digital audio added to the 16 track midi sequencer, the Fantom-X series was the top synth workstation in the world. But all things time must come, and now Roland introduces the killer new Fantom-G series. Along with the new RD-300GX and RD-700GX it represents a turning over of Roland’s state of the art keyboard line. Long awaited, and full of unique features, one of our Rainbow staff will be happy to fill you in all about the Fantom-G!