Are audio tracks really worthwhile?

[Krisser]

Hello

I'm a X8 owner who never got around to upgrading to v2 software. I've made a few attempts to track down the expansion kit a couple of times, but to no avail.

But lately I've been wondering if it's worth the bother trying to get one. What makes me doubt it is the incredibly slow sample loading times of the machine. The thought of regularly saving and loading 8 tracks of lengthy samples makes me feel more than just a little queasy.

So I guess my question is, are the audio tracks a genuine alternative to a DAW?

Thanks for your thoughts,
Kristian

[thunderkyss]

definitely not an alternative to a DAW.

Still worth the price of admission.


If you like to visually arrange your samples(like you do in a DAW) then it'll greatly increase your workflow.

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[hangman]

Well, as thunderkeys says, its not an alternative to a DAW, but i do think the audio tracks are well worth it if you plan on recording songs that primarily use the fantom as the main source of sound. This way it kepps everything inside the one machine and can actually be quite a convenient method for recording songs.

Personally, i dont mind the loading time too much, i just turn it on at the start of a day of recording and then do something else for a while and come back when everything is loaded.

[rezfactor]

I think there are two different workflows. Some people prefer the capability of a full-featured DAW. Some people prefer their writing workflow to be as simple as possible. And the Fantom's built-in "audio track" feature makes for a complete, turnkey, self-contained writing and recording "workstation" with zero computer integration issues.

I bought my Fantom X8 specifically to WRITE. I didn't want the complexities of a full-featured DAW. I didn't want to even to have to deal with any computer issues just to get raw ideas down.

I just ordered a 1GB DIMM so that my sample RAM will be at its maximum capacity (and therefore, my "audio track" recording time will be at its maximum length). I also just bought four, 4GB CF cards to be able to save all my work, using the "Song+Samples" save option. Now, I'm finally mastering the use of my little built-in, 8-track, mini-DAW that comes with the v2.10 upgrade, and I find it a really fast and easy way to write. Sure, a DAW will give you a lot more capability, but the "audio track" feature in the Fantom is the number one reason why I chose the Roland over the Yamaha Motif.

Sure, I've only got eight tracks before I have to "merge." But all I need is a rhythm track, a pad track, and some lead tracks. I can edit, loop, and do a lot of simple DAW stuff that gets what I need done quickly and simply. For now, eight tracks is serving me really well, and I can compose a lot of ideas very quickly without any hassle. Once I get the ideas down, I can always move to a DAW and add all the tracks and finesse that I want, but for writing, the "audio track" feature is a godsend.

To make things even simpler, I just ordered a Tascam CD-RW900 CD recorder. It has digital coaxial S/PDIF inputs and outputs that perfectly match the same S/PDIF digital I/O of the Fantom's rear panel. No need to "mixdown" to a stereo track and "USB it" or "CF it" to my PC, then open up a DAW or CD-burning application just to make a stupid CD. And how many times has your PC choked when attempting to write a simple audio CD for whatever reason? From idea to CD without a computer . . . to me, that's bliss.

____________________________________________________________________

• Roland Fantom X8 1GB sample RAM/4GB CF
• SRX04/SRX06/SRX08/SRX09
• Roland SH-201 [coming soon]
• Tascam CD-RW900

[piaknowguy]

Hi Krisser.

There is another powerful reason for using audio tracks that truly demonstrates the awesome capability of the Fantom X keyboard, and that is the conservation of polyphony. When nearing the 128 note limit, resampling the song or phrase and then assigning the sample to an audio track cuts polyphony use down to 4 notes, freeing up 124 notes of polyphony to continue working with!!! That, to me, is amazing! You would do this when you are happy with the overall sound and mix of the music you are sampling. Of course, one must delete the contents of the sequencer to make use of this additional power. Make sure to save the original SVQ file as it's own song file just in case you wish to make minor changes. The SVQ can then be resampled if needed. This entire process can be done more than once!

Don't forget MFX conservation! When multi-track recording MIDI tracks, any part that you record can be resampled as an audio track, using the effect unique to the patch allocated to that part. This is a very effective way of 'freeing-up' MFX, allowing you to use any number of effects. Any patch used in performance mode is able to have the same effects as in patch mode.

The Fantom doesn't have the editing power of my Sonar 6 PE. However, I find that when using the Fantom X8 on it's own, the audio tracks can certainly come in handy.

Just my 2 cents.
Cheers!

PiaKnowGuy

http://www.piaknow.com

[Diametro]

YES ... They are definitely worthwhile ... I use them constantly in many different applications ...

... to me, the loading times are manageable ...



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Roland Fantom X7, Alesis Fusion 6HD+KP2, Novation X/A-Station 25, Alesis Micron+KP3

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[V-CeeOh]

Not to mention the extra features you get with Ver.2, namely the extra Bank of sounds.

[rezfactor]

Yes, I was also going to mention the benefits of recording in full polyphony pioknowguy, but that's certainly also possible when using a DAW. I NEVER play in performance mode. Unless we had at least double the polyphony of the current-generation Fantoms, I don't see any reason to use performace mode (unless, of course, you're actually performing). I'm ALWAYS playing into my Fantom's recorder in full 128-voice polyphony, exclusively in patch mode.

You mentioned something I'm still trying to figure out how to do. Since I only need the sequencer to build rhythm patterns, I haven't really gotten around to it but, you said, "When multi-track recording MIDI tracks, any part that you record can be resampled as an audio track . . ." That's something I certainly hope to learn how to do soon!

____________________________________________________________________

• Roland Fantom X8 1GB sample RAM/4GB CF
• SRX04/SRX06/SRX08/SRX09
• Roland SH-201 [coming soon]
• Tascam CD-RW900

[V-CeeOh]

rezfactor
In Ver.2 any MIDI track can be internaly resampled (recorded in audio) to an audio track. Once you get this you can delete the MIDI track and free MIDI parts.

[Krisser]

Thank you everyone for your prompt replies - what a good forum this is!

So I guess I'll have to go hunting for the OS 2 now. I don't suppose anyone knows of a dealer that actually has it? I can't figure out why Roland would cancel a product like this...

[V-CeeOh]

Krisser

This is an already long thread but you may look for some help HERE

[ROCCOTO]

The way I see it is that the sampling feature on the fantom is great for a rough QUICK mix definetly not an alternative replacement for DAW......

Fantom X6, M3 Korg, Dig 002 Rack, Monitor K5, I- Mac Intel Processor (Dual Core)

[Quinnx.]

freeing up poly is a good reason but you could also just use SAMPLE to do this.
and of course theres also the fact that you can start and stop anywhere in sample playback and you will hear the sample from where you stoped just like a tape or a DAW.
there is no other way to achieve this without the Audio track plug in.


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