***ROLAND FANTOM G OS UPDATE OVERDUE***

[Jimknopf]

Atlas5, if you fear any bashing of the G, have a look at points 1 and 2 of the starting message of this thread.

The G's masterkeyboard functionality is something very welcome, especially in connection with possible RPS programming. That's a big positive point for live use. Now when I would like to do a fast recording on the G exactly with such a setting, I'm completely stuck since nearly half a year now.

If I record to the G sequencer, I face two heavy problems:
- it is not good enough even for some basic cut and paste functionality across the tracks.
- while not much enjoying this too limited functionality, I could still work around that, record my ideas fast, including an external TI snow (as in Atlas5s use), or in my case a TI, a Plugiator or a Moog LP, whatever I need at the moment. I could record internal and external sounds fast to the G's midi tracks and export to a software sequencer program to do all editing later. And if I need or wish, I could still reimport the midi material back into the G after editing on a PC or Mac.

But without smf export that does not work. So we are not talking about some nice additional wish feature here, but about a big obstacle in basic workflow. The whole sequencer side of the G, with all the comfort of a big screen and a mouse, is practically non-existent for me as long as smf export (and some basic editing functionality in the G as well) is missing.

That's why I see no reason to have to wait for Namm 09 or the like. This would really annoy me, after already wasting considerable time and effort since months on a missing feature which is an integral and essential part of the G from day one. I bought the G for many reasons, and a useable sequencer with smf import and export was one of them.

A FANTOM G UPDATE IS HEAVILY OVERDUE.

[C.I.A]

***ROLAND FANTOM G OS UPDATE OVERDOES***


Geeee....
...I had one of DOES nights with our Secret Roland Agent girlfriends....
...Yeah, I received my overdue paycheck and I had to go and celebrate....
...I'm glad Roland fixed it for me. I hope Roland fixes it for you guys.


Clan Intelligence Agency Agent

[Diametro]

If Roland uses Winter NAMM to announce the upgrade, one would think it would have to be pretty significant or risk humiliation.

It would seem odd to announce bug fixes and basic functionality additions at a trade show unless there's a lot lot more ...

[Jimknopf]

I have no idea why anybody could get the impression of bad mood, just because we want an overdue update.

Remember:
- this thread was opened by someone who uses and likes the G a lot
- this thread is not without grins and humor
- this thread does not serve bashing, but serves as a constant reminder of an urgent update which is simply overdue.

No rerason to get anxious or depressed at the first view of a clear cut statement, and no need to worry that anybody will be "pushed back" or the like.

Just the contrary: any users who face similar problems with the otherwise great G will see that this board is not divided into Roland fanboys/girls and whiners, but that all these cliches are meaningless in the face of people who like the G and just want bugs to be adressed in halfway due time.

If missing functions are added as well - all the better...

So light up a bit: there's nothing breathteaking about uttering customer concerns...

[jessej]

I agree 100% with Jimknopf.

I'm writing material for 2 albums at the moment using the Fantom G.

While it is a wonderful powertool with excellent sound quality and I love it, all the things that do not work, are missing or get in the way of workflow, start to annoy me because I work so much on the G. If I'd be only toying around with it on sunday evenings, I would probably not be annoyed.

I must stand up and take my hat off and salute Roland for creating a synth that hasn't jammed or frozen a single time in the 6 months I've had it, the OS is *very* stable.

[Zephyer]

Jimknopf is right, this thread was put together in a very respectable manner.

I see nothing wrong here, I have been coming to this forum for a long time. And I would only speak well of his character. Until just recently he has done nothing but defend the Fantom-G from a ton bashing. So if he has a concern about the update I am 100% sure he only means well.

Everyone that cares give your support.

Roland lets see that update.

[m-Lo]

I wonder how much ROLAND will charge you for the OS (G-series) update, like they did in case of the fantom X series?




Gearlist .......PS3......and lots of other stuff

[Zephyer]

Jimknopf, do you know of an email address we can use to send or concerns to Roland as well as posting them here?

[Zephyer]

m-Lo, I will echo Jim.

They can do what they want, and after we get a picture of their behavior, we also can do what we want. Lots of choices on both sides.

Our Focus

[Jimknopf]

I would have no problems paying a moderate price for a major update, if it really added completely new features like the audio expansion then on the Fantom X. All in all I respect good work a lot.

What we need now is something else though: one major bug fix which is long overdue (smf export) and one correction of a basic weakness concerning everyday cut and paste functionality in the sequencer.

I understand very well that these two updates are not at all trivial to program within the new phrase concept of the G. The Audacity Works probably can explain even better than me, why this kind of reprogramming of the phrase concept, with the aim of adopting some basic flexible parts based functionality, is not easily done in the new context.

Still I think this should be done with really high priority, and *very* soon: we've been waiting nearly half a year now, without being able to integrate the sequencer into basic workflow. And we have been very patient so far from my view. It's up to Roland to do the next step. With all due respect and understanding: we are no sheep waiting passively for essential parts of the basic G concept, no matter how long it takes or how little Roland Japan feels the responsibility to communicate their answer to this ongoing problem...

[Jimknopf]

Zephyr, concerning emails:
I have heard from more than one customer that many of the local Roland reps worldwide are very open minded and helpful. In my own country here in Germany we have very nice people on board, who do their best, and answer support questions very well.

But my own communication with Roland Germany, and that of others with Roland US, Great Britain etc., just to name some examples, has also shown that they are *highly* *dependant* on the restrictive and very conservative, not to say somehow "very Japanese" information politics of Roland Japan.

From European perspective, roughly spoken, that reads like: 'we could lose our face communicating, so we better keep silent and ignore our partners to a certain degree, just to keep up the (from my view childish and dead wrong) illusion, that we keep being master of the game'. I'm no expert on Japanese culture besides having had some Zen training, plus some friends contacts and reading some books, but that's roughly how it translates to me.

Now guess what: up to now I have no email adress of central Roland/Roland Japan. I mean: no contact to the really decisive part of the company. They simply don't offer it, because they surround themselves with this wall of local representatives, which can't speak on their own behalf, but are only allowed to repeat what Roland Japan allows them to say - while Roland Japan refuses to say anything or offer any contact email adress, e.g. on the Fantom Experience Site where it would belong.

To me this looks like a completely outdated enterprise concept, not able and not willing to accept the challenges of the 21st century. But I respect that they are free do decide themselves, if and how custoomer relations mean anything to them. I mean, it's them who pay the bill in the end if the customers say no and run anway. )
And we customers have any freedom we like with this lots of nowadays gear competition and choices on the market...

[secret Roland agent]

Uhhh . . . C.I.A.?! I don't mean to be a prude, but I'm thinkin' that the picture you posted is in poor taste. Remember! You are a member of the Clan Intelligence Agency! Might I suggest that you go home, sleep it off, take a shower, and then brush up on your Clan propriety, as outlined in paragraph 17 of the C.I.A. charter!

[Zephyer]

True, Roland Japan does not have an email, but I remember the first time we did this we had an email address to send our concerns to. I think Quinnx gave it, not sure how much it helped but we did get Results fast.

Just a little tiny correction, Zephyer is not spelled wrong I know spell checks will say otherwise but it’s my name, it's not meant to mean a gentle breeze from the west.

Our Focus

[strutbone]

Roland UPDATE THE FANTOM G's O.S
You know it is lacking certain basic functionality, but are continuing to ignore the owners concerns.
Definitely dropping the ball @ ROLAND. Booo Hiss Hiss!!

[Jimknopf]

Zephyer, sorry for misspelling.

The email adress Quinnx used was not from Roland Japan. It was Roland UK or the like, don't remember precisely...


Dear Roland agent, I knew you would not forget about the DOES BEERS in cheeks thing. ))

You are free to offer us your explanation of everything anytime. Explain the secret life of Roland plants, bushes and trees to us while I take a shower ...