Hey people (1st post)

[Baza]

New to the forum

Just got my new fantom G and some thoughts from a new user and owner of a software setup and previous user of an M3.

Clavs, Organs and strings are not the best. Some samples have very abrupt sample ends so they sound v keyboardy if you get where I am coming from. Keyboard action is springy and fast but not as good as the M3 by miles.

Sequencer is much better than korgs but now that you can use a mouse it would be nice to have the option to use the mouse to drag midi and use the right button to bring up sub menus for common tasks. Also I am having a hard time with audio in sequencer doing simple things like panning and volume.

Have to say I prefered overall the M3 but I got a faulty model and it kept crashing so I opted not to get another one and got the FG. Should stick with it as the results are simular from a quality perspective and as long as the sequencer is updated with little enhancments It is worth it. I just hope the next ARX card is a V Synth. That would help complete the keybaord.

When they said best of SRX I dont think they picked the best patches and I dont really see why they hung onto any of the old stock sounds. They are old sounding now! take a leaf out of Korgs book and listen to feedback and release a USB upload funtion to replace the stock samples with a real best of SRX. Should be dead easy. I would take quality over quantity any day. Most of the Pianos are sub standard. I tested them along side reason pianos and even reason blows any of the piano patches out of the water. I could live with 5-10 top end usuable patches but none from the X or the SRX piano as I dont rate them either.

Synths are good quality but a bit popy and old wedding band sounding. No offence to anyone who plays but you know where I am coming from.

Pads are not very touch sensitive and should have been like MPC or trigger finger. The korg pads on the M3 where excellent.

Positives:

Layout
Build quality
Screen
Sounds
Effects
VST integration (works for me without problem)

Maybe I will overcome my issues over time but it is frustrating that Mags etc dont point out these things and give a ballanced review of these keyboards when reviewing them. You can only check them out so much in a store (with no mouse)

At the mo I would swap it for an M3 but the jury is out.

Anyway hello people.

[keysme]

Pads are not very touch sensitive and should have been like MPC or trigger finger. The korg pads on the M3 where excellent.

I assume you went into the system settings under Dynamic Pad and tried adjusting the Pad Sensitivity level? You can adjust the sensitivity level to Light, Medium, or Heavy depending on your preference.

Personally, I think the Pad sensitivity is really good with just the right feel. To each his own I suppose, right?

BTW, welcome to Roland Clan Baza! FYI, the Fantom G has recently received it's first major OS update (version 1.10). If you haven't updated to it already it adds new functionality plus multi-sampling capability with the update.

I hope you continue to enjoy your new Fantom G! The discussions here on the Roland Fantom G forum are spirited and engaging, and it is full of knowledgeable people who are, for the most part, extremely helpful when it comes to the Roland Fantom G and Roland gear in general.

[Baza]

Thanks,

Have to get used to the fantom. I always feel its the player not the instrument in a lot of cases. Adjusted the pads and it helped. Thanks for the advice.

[PauloF]

Hi Baza,
Welcome to the Forum !!

This is THE PLACE for ALL Roland fans and users (even if they are not really Roland fans, or even if they are other gear users)

As Keysme said, there are very good and disputed discussions and big fun also over here. I've been laughing and learning a lot since I joined.

Enjoy

PauloF

[Zenzilla]

Hey back at you -> Baza

Yes the sequencer has + & - attributes.

I miss the SOLO button (what were they thinking???).

I do not like the Fantom-G pads (even after adjustment) and hope they will become better (adjusted) because I don't think I can be better (adjusted).

A touch screen would still be cool = I miss my M3 sometimes and try to reach out and do things I ought not to (My V-Synth GT also has a touch screen so it's hard to control myself).

Baza: That is a great idea on the mouse right click pop-up menu!!!

The Fantom-G = It does take some getting use to as is often true when becoming a switcher.

ymmv

Zenzilla

[RedEye]

I was just considering getting the new G - but reading here about the negative points... I'll stick with my X's - I know them too well ; ))
I know it's been ages since I've posted - been so busy in music. This version of "Ave Maria" is entirely Fantom Xa (well, not the vocals) - but I layered harmonies over the choir patch - some people thought I had the EastWest program (lol). http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_so ... ID=6611680

Won't change from a good thing... at least not yet ; ))

Cheers Fantomized gang!

Bob / RedEyeC

[Baza]

By the way I had an X and even with the negitives I have mentioned I am still undecided if the Fantom or the M3 would suit me better but I know that both of them give me much better results faster then I got with my X.

If you are a Roland fan and can afford it then go with the G it has loads of little inprovments. As I am using it I more and more can see the reason why some things are the way they are. It takes time. Loads of people did not like reason 4 when it came out as they liked the sequencer in 3. Most agree now that it was a marked improvment.

By the way Redeye your linked song is great. Well done. Its the player not the keyboard. Wll done.

[RedEye]

Thank you Baza ; )) Well, the keyboard helps too... I'm not saying that someday I won't go to the G - as I did to the X from the S - but like a new model car, I'd like the kinks ironed out first - and no better a place than on this forum with you Fantom gurus to keep track of that ; ))

A pleasant Sunday to all!

Cheers, Bob / RedEyeC

[Baza]

My problem has always been worrying about what a musical instrument cant do. I have promised myself that this time I would not do that. So I am not going to buy anything else until I have exusted the keyboard I have and we were to be honest a modern keyboard if it was an X or G or M3 or XS they have loads of quality features and all capable of creating some powerfull music in the right hands.

All I want is the quickest from head to recorded so I am going to learn this thing inside out. I hope to become a G Guru so expect a load of questions as the manual is crap!