Fantom Aftertouch (6/7 vs 8)

[Kevbo]

Hey, everyone.

I am debating on getting a new Fantom, but I hear a lot of things about the aftertouch being an issue.
Is the issue only on Fantom 8s? Is Aftertouch working as expected on the Fantom 6 and 7?

The reason I ask, is because for portability reasons, I am probably going to get the Fantom 7, but then I will have my NI S88 MIDI controller hooked up to it to play the Fantom in my studio. The S88 has aftertouch, so I'm assuming I could see it to trigger aftertouch on the Fantom without any issues, regardless if it is working properly or not.

Am I to believe the issue is hardware based, and not actually software?
If so, I believe an external keyboard with aftertouch should work just fine. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thank you!

[TokyoScarab]

The problem with aftertouch on the Fantoms is a hardware issue. I've had absolutely zero issues with aftertouch transmitted over MIDI. Polyphonic aftertouch also works over MIDI surprisingly enough as well. I'm not a big fan of monophonic aftertouch, so it's not much of an issue to me, but I will say that I have a Fantom 8 and the aftertouch is basically unusable. You have to press in pretty hard to get it to trigger, and when it does, it's just a full 127 with next to no control over it.

[mostinif]

Hi Kevbo

I am debating on getting a new Fantom, but I hear a lot of things about the aftertouch being an issue.
Is the issue only on Fantom 8s? Is Aftertouch working as expected on the Fantom 6 and 7?

Fantom 8 has a different keybed. It has PHA50 keyboard, while Fantom 6/7 has a new "synth action" keyboard. THant is the reason why Fantom 6/7 is not affected by this problem.

On Fantom 8, Aftertouch - I mind - is related a hardware issue.

Best regards,
Flavio

[xp30]

Fantom 8 has a different keybed. It has PHA50 keyboard, while Fantom 6/7 has a new "synth action" keyboard. THant is the reason why Fantom 6/7 is not affected by this problem.

I think the above sentence is misleading: I have a Fantom 7, and aftertouch works poorly on it. Yes, the keybeds are different, nevertheless, it seems to be mostly unusable on all models.

[EdGe]

Fantom-6 here: afterbash.

It's not aftertouch. Yes, technically the aftertouch data is engaged yet it's pretty much all on, or none.

There's no gradient in the values when pressing.

Very poor implementation.

My Behringer Motor61 has infinitely better aftertouch control than the Fantom.

Sad, but true.

[Rialas]

Yes, another confirmation, fantom 6 owner, and the aftertouch is unusable. I also have a Jupiter 80 and that is also useless.
If you want good aftertouch you buy Korg.

The best aftertouch is my 1975 Roland SH2000.

You’ll have no problem using the fantom with a good external controller as mentioned.

[Lazerlike42]

One thing that I have noticed on my Fantom 8 is that the aftertouch is indeed almost unusable - except for the SuperNatural tones, where I find it actually seems to respond usably and there is even a noticeable gradient to it. I find this fascinating, especially given people's reports that it works nicely with an external controller.

[EdGe]

One thing that I have noticed on my Fantom 8 is that the aftertouch is indeed almost unusable - except for the SuperNatural tones, where I find it actually seems to respond usably and there is even a noticeable gradient to it. I find this fascinating, especially given people's reports that it works nicely with an external controller.

Now, that's interesting! As soon as I get back to my studio (a week) I'll take a look.

Great observation! Thank you!

[TokyoScarab]

I tried this aftertouch test on my Fantom 8 and noticed no difference at all between the supernatural patches and any other patch. I will also add that the aftertouch on my fantom is also to the point where I can't do it with one finger. I actually have to use two fingers and even then, press pretty hard to get it to trigger at all. =/