distorted sounds !

[jstorms]

Hi guys,
I have had an FG8 now for the past 90 days and also noticed a random abrupt distortion that would occur sometimes when it was first booted up and always when engaging the sampler. After contacting Roland and discussing the issue the end result is ... in order to remedy the problem i will have to take it back into a certified roland service center. i was hoping it was only a software glitch but the update to the firmware did not fix the problem. so i will pack up the G and take it to a technical service center tomorrow in hopes the technician can find & repair whatever makes the G go wild with the distorted sound. otherwise i am quite happy with the G8. It's heavy. Am glad to have my trusy X just in case my G has to have a major operation and long term rehab! j

[keysme]

This is a very strange situation that a few people are having with the Fantom G i.e. distorted sounds. And by Roland telling people to take it to a service center it's definitely a known problem that Roland is well aware of on the Fantom G and evidently it's a hardware issue that requires a part(s) replacement. Something similar happened with one of Yamaha's keyboard's several years ago but it wasn't a distorted, or otherwise "sound" issue, but that of a defective USB interface that was causing havoc on certain keyboards that were affected. Not all were affected, but the ones that were had to be shipped to a service center and have the keyboard's USB interface replaced. And this was a newly made "new to market" keyboard as well.

You would think that after having 4 1/2 years to design, develop, and constuct the Fantom G, Roland wouldn't be caught in this awkward situation of defective Fantom G's that are rolling off the assembly line and into consumer's living rooms and studio's with a factory defect. Thank God it is only affecting a limited few, but for those that are affected it sure is causing them the otherwise needless hassle of shipping their FG off to get fixed and the resultant loss of time without their trusted Axe - especially if they have a regular gig schedule to keep and don't have a back up.

PS: I use the words: "trusted" Axe very loosely. >> At least for these few that have been affected by this apparent defect anyway. Overall though I trust most people aren't having any issues with their Fantom G. I know I'm not. At least, so far anyway...

[jessej]

While Roland is responsible for their products, I don't think Roland makes all it's parts.. Do you guys remember a few years ago when there was that big recall with the Sony laptop batteries that caught fire? And then Toshiba and then a few others.. the batteries came from the same factory.

Waldorf Blofeld, is also having some problems with 'noisy' units. In fact, someone just posted soundclips on the Waldorf mailing-list of how the noise sounds on a Blofeld. Does the Fantom G noise sound anything like it?

Waldorf Blofeld noise: (NOT ROLAND FANTOM G!)
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?a ... V0N4dnc9PQ

Could there be a possibility that the distortion/noise on the Fantom Gs in question could have been a result of a ground loop??

- Jesse -

[jessej]

And... Because it is Waldorf, not Roland, there was a immediate response from the developers (just posted a minute ago, looks like he is working at 22:30 in the evening too), I quote:

"
Moin,

I have received some Blofeld units here that emitted the reported crackling sound on phaser FX and PPG filter. I have been able to determine the cause and find a cure. I will release a firmware upgrade next week that will solve these and other issues.

Sorry for the inconvenience,
stefan.stenzel at waldorfmusic.de

"

That's how they take care of things... I wish Roland did that too.

- Jesse -

[mateus]

Today I gave FG6 service center and now I have to just wait for their comments. My view is that the distortion sounds is a matter of firmware but hardware. If it had been an error in the firmware so it will do all the same. But since this is strictly accidental and terms of a hardware error. I am curious how to the service center and advise me what to say. According to me, give me a new piece. As for me, Roland disturbing to many is its zero support and access to updates firmware and software (64bit drivers etc.).. Gold Yamaha (. Sorry that I bought rather Yamaha XS: (.

[jstorms]

Before I delivered the G8 to the service center, i attempted to record the ear shattering distorted sound... but when the issue arose... the recorder was locked and would not engage. When the patch was changed, it would hold the same distorted sound and include a few additional frequencies... really noticable in the live play sets. It would also happen in single patch mode...
In Roland's email response they said they had not heard of anything like this from any other G8 owners but since the firmware upgrade had no affect, it was most likely a hardware issue. I noticed this particular disfunction the first time i hit the skipback sample button... then it became acutely apparent thereafter... it is not a matter of a small annoying distortion... no... no hiss or crackling sound..... imagine putting together every overdrive & distorted patch at once, turn every effect on to max and turn up the volume full blast and hold the sustain pedal down all at once. I tried every button, knob, wheel, slider, gain control, effect, routing, on just about every single editing page to no avail.... sometimes the G8 would just overload itself to the point of shutting down all sound and would be in need of a reboot to continue. Perhaps it might play normally when rebooted... but the minute you hit skipback or sample... you'd have to immediately turn the volume down to zero and you could still hear the distorted sounds. I was disappointed because I really like the idea of phrase sampling and editing but my only work around has been to disable the sampling in the menu and check the sound at very low volume before playing a single key. Hopefully will not take too long to fix. We'll see what happens.

[jstorms]

Update: Service center called today and said their tech had checked my G8 and wanted to give me a heads up. Will take about 4 to 6 weeks to get the replacement board part in as they are on backorder due to the unepected number currently in need of replacement.
So now, turning my attention back to my trusty Fantm X 8, i've just installed the World SRX card and am trying out some new things with the FX while the FG gets some type of replacement part that was causing the distortion!
Hopefully will have it back by the middle to late September.

[mateus]

Hello,
service center change mainboard include sound control and all problems left.. . Let's play .... !

[demonp]

This is MADE IN CHINA stuff. I think it is time for Roland to call back all purchased Fantom Gs like some of auto manufacturers do
It is really useful sometimes not to have enough money to get expensive things right away ))

Who knows anything about japanese products of Roland? I will wait for update 3.11 ))

[luislobo]

Could someone please attach a distorted wav/mp3 so that everyone can compare ?
I noticed some saturation (wouldn't call it distortion) only in my headphones.
The outputs seem good to me, but it's always good to compare with someone else.

Thanks in advance,
LL

[mateus]

Try this sample of distortion sound... www.armero.cz/0035.WAV

first part is only some piano sound and second part is drum loop .. nice sound for 2000uer..

[luislobo]

Hum... not quite my sound.
Here is a sample of mine. Please nevermind the song... it's the only sample I have at hand

sample here

[jstorms]

that's the sound, mateus! the first time i heard this distorton it was extremely loud (caught me off guard) thought it may blow the speakers! you never knew when it was going to happen! not fun!

[jstorms]

duplicate post deleted

[demonp]

"Try this sample of distortion sound... www.armero.cz/0035.WAV

first part is only some piano sound and second part is drum loop .. nice sound for 2000uer.. "

Thats the 2500 bucks sample!!!!! )))))))