The G Sound and Feel

[madAhorn]

OK...I've heard some reports that really concerned me.

So, I went down and tried the 61 key Fantom G. My 76 key has not arrived yet.

Someone here said the keys felt like cheap Casio keys.
Not even close! Opinions...yikes. They are at least as good as the X7.

Someone here said they couldn't find a good piano sound compared to the X.
The first Piano patch (G-Grand) alone is better than anything on the X in dynamics range and timbre. From there, some of them get quite warmer sounding, etc, but then there are some X like ones too later on like X Pure Grand and Studio Grand.

Overall with the Piano, EP, Organ, and Clav, I found dozens of useable patches right out of the box.
With the X I had to tweak every single patch I use and they still don't sound as good as the G stock.

Like others have said, even some of the old re-used patches have new life now. Some I hated and now they sound good.

I showed the Music store employee the difference in dynamic range comparing the G to the X and The Motif XS.
He was amazed as was I with the excellent dynamic range of the G.

I hope this encourages some of you who started doubting your purchase by some of the reviews here...
The sound is everything! The big screen very nice, the feel great!

Very encouraged and can't wait to dig deeper when mine arrives.
I only demoed the preset patches, not even the Live sets yet and it still sounded amazing!

Thanks for "listening".

[Jimknopf]

Completely agree to your evaluation.

I find the statements about like or even better X sounds really ridiculous meanwhile, especially for Pianos, which needed SRX-11 (and there still with midrange problems) to sound really great. Doesn't anybody in here remember all the debates about waeknesses of various normal Fantom X piano sounds??? I have the X and some SRX boards right besides my G and am well able to compare.

I also agree that even some of the older patches seem to sound better: I just don't know why? The converters alone can't produce such a difference, can they? Overall the G sound is *much* more balanced in a mix: with the X I was constantly tweaking patches and EQing in the mix, and hardly ever got by with standard sounds. With the G the workstation suddenly fits into the overall sound of band and mix without constant big needs to readjust everything, and sounds great with the Access TI and the Moog, already out of the box, now. There's still enough left to tweak, but at least this now happens from a good starting point, with quite a balanced basic sound.

Yesterday I found out that even one of my favourites, the SRX-12 Rhodes, though it sounds vivid with (mostly) single samples, anyway sounds relatively thin compared with the X and loses some of its superiority this way.

But the hammer was my first rehearsal with my band. They gave me highly fascinated feedback about the fullness of the sound and about the gorgeous dynamic range of the instrument. And I have only just begun exploring, mainly played single sounds out of the box, still untweaked, and only one or two live sets.

So I won't debate this too much any more here in the board, rather use it and have fun. If people feel fine with their X, no problem with me: I enjoy the G to the max in the meantime ))

[2TIM316]

So are you saying an "X" with an SRX-12 board in it sounds better for (obviously) Fender Rhodes than a stock "G"? I didn't exactly understand your last statement.

[Jimknopf]

No, I am saying, that despite the strong side of SRX-12 (single samples or at least samples in very small groups) and it's vivid sound it sounds a bit thin on a X compared to G Rhodes sounds:
they have a "rounder" sound despite not being single sampled, and they offer more patch variations.

[b3keys]

I was pleasantly surprised by the new Wurly sounds in the G. I really liked the Wurly Bright patch. Finally!

I also agree the G sounds much better than the X. Can't wait to get mine.

[madAhorn]

I agree about the Wurly...Nice!

[amosaic4u]

ok...why wouldnt the g sound better then the x? i mean its 2008 right? and it "should" have better components..convertors and technology inside then the x..so sounding "better" is a given... the motif xs sounds better then the es and the es better then the 1st motif....for anyone to debate this is crazy...i think what plays into this psychology is that many people dont have the funds to get the g after spending and using the x...so they convince themselves that they dont need it and it doesnt sound better..Just like on the digital camera forum...many people are dihard fanboys of 1 brand and would never concede to admit their brand or their model is inferior to the latest greatest model....Personally newer doesnt mean better but in the technology dept it usually does mean its faster and more efficient..i mean would you rather use a 333 mghtz pc or a 3 gig mghtz pc?

[barrail]

Before I get the G8, the last gear I bought was a JV-880. For me no disappointment about sounds ! I've never played on a Fender Rhode, a Wurlitzer or a Hammond (and I think that few of us neither).
The big 3 make their sounds very different. It's hard for me to say if Yamha, Korg or Roland sounds more realistic.
But I find the sounds of the G more than playable, nice and "homogeneous". Bass are deep, medium are clear. Mixed with other instruments the G sounds very realistic.
I always thought to have a great sounds in all style of music it would be obligatory to have an expander of each brand.
I do not think any more just like that since I have G...
Someone in this forun said somethink like "stop tweaking start playing". Technology don't make everything...
Have fun with your G !!!

[javaj_]

Hey- I was quoted- wow! Now I have to think of something witty to post so I can keep this rolling. LOL!
JavaJ

[barrail]

"stop tweaking start playing" was your words javaj ??
Sorry to have forget who said that. We should never forget it !

[Phranchiz]

I HAVENT GOTTEN A CHANCE TO START MAKING ANYTHING YET ON MY G6,IM REALLY BUSY WITH WORK AND SCHOOL,BUT OVERALL I LOVE THE BIG SCREEN AND MOST OF THE SOUNDS.

[jessej]

Spent the last 5 hours on my new G6.

I think the keys are just fine, but then again I've never had a real piano. However, one of the keys is a bit stiffer than the others, I hope it's just some styrofoam caught somewhere inside.. I give the keys an 8

The aftertouch works well. 8.5

I wrote about the pads in the pad thread.. they are not nearly as good as they could be. Should be MPC2000Xl quality. they get a 6

Soundwise the G is excellent. Preset patches are always just that.. preset patches. I started tweaking some sounds and realized the possibilities are endless.. Also tweaked some drumkits and realized the possibilites are even more than endless.. I give it a 10

Overall I am a really f**ing happy person right now!

I realized that once I get used navigating the G it's going to be some speedy songwriting and really fast soundcreation/designing... A lot faster than working on a PC.

Oh yeah, and the screen is inspiring and amazing. Everything is quite intuitive on the G... I had a 1.02 OS