Hi all FG owners.
I am having a hard time myself deciding which workstation to get. I have tried all three extensively, but of course using one in a crowded music shop is not the same as taking one home after having parted with $3k or so!
Therefore I think I would value the opinion of someone who has extensively tested the Fantom G, the Motif XS and Korg M3, and then bought the FG. My question to you, is:
"Why did you buy the FG after having tested the other two"?
I'll be honest, I have asked this same question at both the motifator and karma forums, in relation to the XS and M3. I look forward to reading the replies here!!
My own background is that I had all the current gear of the time in the 80's and 90's, but due to wife & kids commitments, I have been out of the music scene the last 7 or 8 years - the Triton, original Motif and Fantom all passed me by! I am now looking to get something up to date, now the littlun' is old enough not to pour something terminal into it!
Cheers.
iix.
Why did YOU buy the Fantom G after trying out the XS and M3?
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iixorbiusii
- Posts: 9
- Joined: 21:13, 7 July 2008
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Synthfreak
- Posts: 60
- Joined: 13:26, 24 January 2008
Re: Why did YOU buy the Fantom G after trying out the XS and
I owned the Motif XS 6 for 1 year. I wasn't as inspired by the sound of the XS as I was with previous version(Motif ES) I imagine it's the same argument a lot of Fantom X owners are making about the G. It sounded muffled or subdued in some strange way. I checked the X out a few times at the store, but the sound or screen never really grabbed me. The M3, while cool in sound, it felt flimsy and the interface wasn't very inviting. When I first and heard the Fantom G, I knew right away that this was the best workstation for me. The inclusion of 8 sliders, the awesome new large screen, the ease of use, and the sound. All of the sounds sit in a mix perfectly with my other gear. When I jammed with my band, it sounded great and cut through nicely. I sold the Motif XS and got the G as soon as it was released and haven't looked back. The only way you're going make the right choice is to go a shop that has all 3 workstations. Bring a set of phones and run through some sounds, check out the interface and see what works for you. Good luck and tell us how you do!
Re: Why did YOU buy the Fantom G after trying out the XS and
24 audio tracks; Phantom Power; Skip back Sampling; mouse connectivity; different sound palette; effects; Live switching; Pads; ARX possibilities; big screen.
that'll do it for me...
that'll do it for me...
Re: Why did YOU buy the Fantom G after trying out the XS and
Just as you received many "zealot" responses on the Motifator forum, you'll receive some here as well. Consider that once people have made a buying decision - for whatever reason - they tend to defend that decision regardless of what other evidence comes their way.
I think that it goes without saying that the M3, MotifXS and FantomG all sound incredible. Honestly, they are all gorgeous instruments with their own sets of particular strengths and weaknesses.
What you finally prefer tends to be a function of what kind of music you like and what kinds of things you expect a workstation-class keyboard to do for you.
Soundwise, people who prefer the Motif tend to be those who lean very heavily in the direction of the sort of polished "shiney Motif" sounds for which it is famous. They describe the Motif as sounding more "realistic", which (IMHO) has more to do with some really good-sounding piano, electric-piano, clavinet, acoustic and electric guitar patches ... in other words very good recreations of certain kinds of acoustic instruments. It's been my observation that - when placed alongside the real instruments - they aren't all that super "realistic", but they are excellent representations of those kinds of sounds. The Motif is especially popular with Country and R&B players.
The M3 tends to be prefered by people who like the kind really unique "Korg sounds". These are gernerally rockers and hip-hoppers. They like the way the Triton/M3 type patches are designed to have instant "curb appeal" and cut through a band mix without much foolinga round. Few people get enthusiastic about the "realism" of Korgs ... but more so the "phatness".
The Fantoms seem to be the best at warm, lush nicely-rounded synthesizer sounds with plenty of "character". They are just fine at acoustic sounds as well, and are often genuinely more accurate representations when compared to the real thing.
There is quite a bit of difference between how these manufacturers approach the integration of sequencing, sampling and audio recording. While there are some strong points in favor of the M3 or Motif, the Fantom - on balance - seems to have the best balance of deep/useful features and ease-of-use.
Regardless of what choice you make you will find something you miss about some other instrument. My choice is FantomG as it seems to have the greatest strengths as an all-in-one workstation. The only appeal of the other products is the unique souns they offer ... so a Motif Rack XS will be an addition later in the year as well.
I think that it goes without saying that the M3, MotifXS and FantomG all sound incredible. Honestly, they are all gorgeous instruments with their own sets of particular strengths and weaknesses.
What you finally prefer tends to be a function of what kind of music you like and what kinds of things you expect a workstation-class keyboard to do for you.
Soundwise, people who prefer the Motif tend to be those who lean very heavily in the direction of the sort of polished "shiney Motif" sounds for which it is famous. They describe the Motif as sounding more "realistic", which (IMHO) has more to do with some really good-sounding piano, electric-piano, clavinet, acoustic and electric guitar patches ... in other words very good recreations of certain kinds of acoustic instruments. It's been my observation that - when placed alongside the real instruments - they aren't all that super "realistic", but they are excellent representations of those kinds of sounds. The Motif is especially popular with Country and R&B players.
The M3 tends to be prefered by people who like the kind really unique "Korg sounds". These are gernerally rockers and hip-hoppers. They like the way the Triton/M3 type patches are designed to have instant "curb appeal" and cut through a band mix without much foolinga round. Few people get enthusiastic about the "realism" of Korgs ... but more so the "phatness".
The Fantoms seem to be the best at warm, lush nicely-rounded synthesizer sounds with plenty of "character". They are just fine at acoustic sounds as well, and are often genuinely more accurate representations when compared to the real thing.
There is quite a bit of difference between how these manufacturers approach the integration of sequencing, sampling and audio recording. While there are some strong points in favor of the M3 or Motif, the Fantom - on balance - seems to have the best balance of deep/useful features and ease-of-use.
Regardless of what choice you make you will find something you miss about some other instrument. My choice is FantomG as it seems to have the greatest strengths as an all-in-one workstation. The only appeal of the other products is the unique souns they offer ... so a Motif Rack XS will be an addition later in the year as well.
Re: Why did YOU buy the Fantom G after trying out the XS and
The M3 looks very uninviting to me (ugly), and then I was not impressed by it's sounds, not from the mp3s or videos and I didn't feel at all at home with it when I tried it at the local store. I've had a Korg MS-2000 and a Roland JP-8000 and I really liked the JP a whole lot more. The Korg always left me a bit cold in the end. The vintage Korg MS-20 is a nice synth thou, it has beautiful analog filters!!
I didn't even pay that much attention to the Motif XS after I saw Roland introducing the Fantom G at NAMM. I've been using Roland products for almost 20 years and I know they all had a very long lifespan and I trusted the quality (although I really really considered more than twice, because I know how completely utterly sh*t Rolands customer support is).
I'm quite sure the M3 is a great synth for those that like ugly, and I am sure the Motif XS is a great synth if one learns how to use it.
- Jesse -
I didn't even pay that much attention to the Motif XS after I saw Roland introducing the Fantom G at NAMM. I've been using Roland products for almost 20 years and I know they all had a very long lifespan and I trusted the quality (although I really really considered more than twice, because I know how completely utterly sh*t Rolands customer support is).
I'm quite sure the M3 is a great synth for those that like ugly, and I am sure the Motif XS is a great synth if one learns how to use it.
- Jesse -
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Igglethorpe
- Posts: 592
- Joined: 09:27, 23 January 2005
- Location: Arizona, USA
Re: Why did YOU buy the Fantom G after trying out the XS and
I went with the Fantom G because I've already had a great deal of time behind various Roland keyboards over the years. I couldn't figure out how to do anything with the Motif XS when I played with it, and I never even considered the Korg M3.
Re: Why did YOU buy the Fantom G after trying out the XS and
The G has Great Piano's and EP's as well as great Strings, Synth, Bass, etc.
It is VERY easy to use live and has awesome potential for Studio as well.
It is VERY easy to use live and has awesome potential for Studio as well.
Re: Why did YOU buy the Fantom G after trying out the XS and
I own a Oasys 76, XS7 and G7. If you play live a lot, Fantom is very good compared to XS. Sounds have more bite.
Re: Why did YOU buy the Fantom G after trying out the XS and
M3 with 73 keys, last choice. XS7 no live setting. G7 live setting, light weight, plus keeps me on the edge with this new direction toward supernatural sound.
Re: Why did YOU buy the Fantom G after trying out the XS and
Key reasons for my choosing the Fantom-G.
• Upgraded from a Fantom-X8 to a Fantom-G8 for its improved audio tracks recorder (specifically, its project-based file management).
• Returned my Motif ES-8 because I found its UI confusing and unintuitive. Plus, it didn't have a digital audio recorder. Didn't consider an XS for the same reasons.
• Didn't buy an M3 because all of its sounds sounded too "synthy." Great pads, though.
Key points about my applications:
• I don't use any MIDI sequencing. All of my recording is "live" via the audio tracks recorder in the Fantom.
• I don't perform; this is purely a studio set-up.
• I don't own or use a DAW.
• I have several VA synths (including a Korg Radias, which I love), in addition to my G.
In summary:
Dansgold's post pretty much says it all. Although, I certainly wouldn't kick a Motif XS or M3 out of bed, if someone threw one at me. I like the Motif's sounds, and agree with the prevailing opinion that its acoustics are very pretty. The Fantom's are arguably just as pretty, but in a different way. Maybe, slightly more "processed" sounding than the Motif's, which also may be the reason why the Fantom's seem to cut through mixes better. No, I take that back. The Motif is VERY pretty-sounding. Its acoustics are more subtly programmed, IMO. But, this was back when I was A/B'ing an ES to an X.
In the end, it's about what YOU like . . . feature set, UI, physical layout, and sound "character." Overall, the Fantom G seems superior to other competing workstations for its "all-around" combination of productivity features, sonic breadth, and overall sound quality.
What sold me was the Fantom-G's built-in, 24-track, audio tracks recorder. Which, IMO, is THE killer app among competing workstations, and is the key differentiating feature which pushed me toward the Fantom series. If you run everything from a DAW, this may not be as important, and the XS would then come back into consideration. But, for an all-around workstation, again, the Fantom-G has the best overall feature-set, IMO.
• Upgraded from a Fantom-X8 to a Fantom-G8 for its improved audio tracks recorder (specifically, its project-based file management).
• Returned my Motif ES-8 because I found its UI confusing and unintuitive. Plus, it didn't have a digital audio recorder. Didn't consider an XS for the same reasons.
• Didn't buy an M3 because all of its sounds sounded too "synthy." Great pads, though.
Key points about my applications:
• I don't use any MIDI sequencing. All of my recording is "live" via the audio tracks recorder in the Fantom.
• I don't perform; this is purely a studio set-up.
• I don't own or use a DAW.
• I have several VA synths (including a Korg Radias, which I love), in addition to my G.
In summary:
Dansgold's post pretty much says it all. Although, I certainly wouldn't kick a Motif XS or M3 out of bed, if someone threw one at me. I like the Motif's sounds, and agree with the prevailing opinion that its acoustics are very pretty. The Fantom's are arguably just as pretty, but in a different way. Maybe, slightly more "processed" sounding than the Motif's, which also may be the reason why the Fantom's seem to cut through mixes better. No, I take that back. The Motif is VERY pretty-sounding. Its acoustics are more subtly programmed, IMO. But, this was back when I was A/B'ing an ES to an X.
In the end, it's about what YOU like . . . feature set, UI, physical layout, and sound "character." Overall, the Fantom G seems superior to other competing workstations for its "all-around" combination of productivity features, sonic breadth, and overall sound quality.
What sold me was the Fantom-G's built-in, 24-track, audio tracks recorder. Which, IMO, is THE killer app among competing workstations, and is the key differentiating feature which pushed me toward the Fantom series. If you run everything from a DAW, this may not be as important, and the XS would then come back into consideration. But, for an all-around workstation, again, the Fantom-G has the best overall feature-set, IMO.
Re: Why did YOU buy the Fantom G after trying out the XS and
Being a piano player, I consider the actual keys to be very important. The G8 just blew me away in that department. Also, after having tried the XS quite a few times, I also found that the G is far more easy to work with. 15 minutes and you're friends with it. I still haven't figured the XS out, but its sounds are great, no question about that.
I started playing live in the 80's and was (and I still am, to some degree) a huge fan of the bands that emerged then, e.g. Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Human League and the artists being produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman. The G is great when it comes to the sounds from that time, especially the synth brass sounds. The XS is no way near that kind of quality. I have tried the M3 only once, but I didn't like it. I have never liked Korg so I actually didn't bother to give it a proper chance at my local store. I'm sure it has some great sounds, otherwise it wouldn't have been mentioned so many times on this forum.
JG
I started playing live in the 80's and was (and I still am, to some degree) a huge fan of the bands that emerged then, e.g. Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Human League and the artists being produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman. The G is great when it comes to the sounds from that time, especially the synth brass sounds. The XS is no way near that kind of quality. I have tried the M3 only once, but I didn't like it. I have never liked Korg so I actually didn't bother to give it a proper chance at my local store. I'm sure it has some great sounds, otherwise it wouldn't have been mentioned so many times on this forum.
JG
Re: Why did YOU buy the Fantom G after trying out the XS and
i'm still married and have two kids.There is not much room for reading, trying and lerning for a keyboard.
As mentioned a view times the M3 is ugly. Only spend 2 Minutes on it. Couldn't get in touch with it.
tried the XS was able to step through the sounds after some time (you have to hit a special key to get categories).
I know, there are Billions of arp's hiding somwhere but they are not so important for me.
Then i played around with the fantom G and felt like being at home. in shortest time i recorded a simple song with a view instruments.
The G is very intuitive
I like to have the big Screen with mouse support and the possibility to use a simple sequencer for the creative process.
I also like to be Computer and DAW independent because i'm falling into techie's stuff all the time i use it.
last but not least i like the:
sampling
audio tracks
effects
live switching !!!!
pads
clearly arranged userinterface and buttons
.
.
.
My only hope ist that Roland will improve the OS.
Some little Bugs are reducing the euphoria (tempo in live mode etc.)
After that its the all around perfect Key (for me)
Tibor
As mentioned a view times the M3 is ugly. Only spend 2 Minutes on it. Couldn't get in touch with it.
tried the XS was able to step through the sounds after some time (you have to hit a special key to get categories).
I know, there are Billions of arp's hiding somwhere but they are not so important for me.
Then i played around with the fantom G and felt like being at home. in shortest time i recorded a simple song with a view instruments.
The G is very intuitive
I like to have the big Screen with mouse support and the possibility to use a simple sequencer for the creative process.
I also like to be Computer and DAW independent because i'm falling into techie's stuff all the time i use it.
last but not least i like the:
sampling
audio tracks
effects
live switching !!!!
pads
clearly arranged userinterface and buttons
.
.
.
My only hope ist that Roland will improve the OS.
Some little Bugs are reducing the euphoria (tempo in live mode etc.)
After that its the all around perfect Key (for me)
Tibor
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iixorbiusii
- Posts: 9
- Joined: 21:13, 7 July 2008
Re: Why did YOU buy the Fantom G after trying out the XS and
A big thanks to everyone who has taken the time to reply to my question (I am sure others in the same state of uncertainty have valued your input, too!).
I am not a big fan of piano action keys, so the G6 or 7 would be what I am considering. My main aim is to put together trance/techno tracks, which is what I've been doing for years with a Trinity and stacks of other old gear like the D50, DX7, M1, etc etc - but they're getting too old, and I need a new all-in-one.
At the same time, I don't want to completely alienate myself from writing a bit of R&B, jazz or even classical but my main goal is trance/electronic.
I have spent a lot of time with the big 3, but always when there are dozens of students hovering around - they seem particularly drawn to the newness, and flashiness of the FG!
Perhaps I'll moonlight and get a weekend job at my local store for a few weeks, just so I can really get some time to try these out
Keep the responses rollin' they are really very helpful.
Cheers.
iix.
I am not a big fan of piano action keys, so the G6 or 7 would be what I am considering. My main aim is to put together trance/techno tracks, which is what I've been doing for years with a Trinity and stacks of other old gear like the D50, DX7, M1, etc etc - but they're getting too old, and I need a new all-in-one.
At the same time, I don't want to completely alienate myself from writing a bit of R&B, jazz or even classical but my main goal is trance/electronic.
I have spent a lot of time with the big 3, but always when there are dozens of students hovering around - they seem particularly drawn to the newness, and flashiness of the FG!
Perhaps I'll moonlight and get a weekend job at my local store for a few weeks, just so I can really get some time to try these out
Keep the responses rollin' they are really very helpful.
Cheers.
iix.
Re: Why did YOU buy the Fantom G after trying out the XS and
I'm essentially a newbie to Roland gear, having bought the Sonic Cell last September and now the Fantom G7 in May. What I can say about the Fantom G is like a lot of people have said already is that it's really easy and quick to get things done. Very user friendly and the huge LCD screen is a big part of that user friendliness. But since the Fantom G no longer supports SRX cards, the Sonic Cell (which does) makes it a great addition to use with my Fantom G7. To be honest, I wouldn't have re-purchased the Fantom G7 (Yes, that's right.. I bought a FG7 on May 1st and then returned it a week later because of what I felt were obvious shortcomings in the OS) - if Roland hadn't reassured me that they were indeed on top of the FG OS issues. With OS update 1.10 a lot of shortcomings were fixed including the lack of Multi-sampling on the Fantom G. I'm really glad I gave the Fantom G another shot because it truly is an amazing keyboard. And even more so now that the new OS 1.10 update is out.
One word of caution though. Don't be in a hurry to make your decision! Take your time and give all the keyboards you have in mind to possibly purchase a thorough going over before you finally fork over your moola. Make sure the keyboard you get is the right one for your needs. Ask questions, do your homework, demo each of them extensively, and finally, shop around to get the best deal. Which I'm sure you will.
Having said all that, I do think the Fantom G is among the best workstations currently available on the market and, I personally, am extremely satisfied with my Fantom G7 "re-purchase".
Happy shopping!
One word of caution though. Don't be in a hurry to make your decision! Take your time and give all the keyboards you have in mind to possibly purchase a thorough going over before you finally fork over your moola. Make sure the keyboard you get is the right one for your needs. Ask questions, do your homework, demo each of them extensively, and finally, shop around to get the best deal.
Which I'm sure you will. Having said all that, I do think the Fantom G is among the best workstations currently available on the market and, I personally, am extremely satisfied with my Fantom G7 "re-purchase".
Happy shopping!