Fantom X8 Is Digitized

[chrissy64]

When I connect the Fantom X8 to my Laptop with Windows 7 the sounds go digitized. I also get an error message of...
"IT APPEARS THAT THE FANTOM-X IS UNCONNECTED OR CONNECTED INCORRECTLY. PLEASE CHECK THE CONNECTIONS"
I know it is connected to the PC as I've got communication to the keyboard with it. I receive and send but when it is connected via the USB port it is digitized.
When the keyboard is NOT connected to the PC the sounds are fine.

Can anyone shed some light on my dilema?

[V-CeeOh]

What do you mean by "digitized"?

[chrissy64]

The sounds are not natural, they sound like they have been digitized and are tinny.
At times it sounds as if there are 2 lots of information being transfered.

[V-CeeOh]

Mmmm
You say you have "comunication" with the keyboard but at the same time you get the error message. Can you explain a little better what's happening? What are you doing exactly?

[chrissy64]

The Fantom X8 is connected to my PC via the MIDI cable. I switch the keyboard on and then do the following:

I've got the Editor from the Roland site up on the screen. I then get the message "IT APPEARS THAT THE FANTOM-X IS UNCONNECTED OR CONNECTED INCORRECTLY. PLEASE CHECK THE CONNECTIONS" . Then I can go ahead and change the sounds with no problem. But as soon as I close it down and try to use Sonar 8 the sounds are digitized and sound tinny. So it's recognizing the connection but I'm not sure what is wrong to get the error or the digitized sounds or how to fix it.

[karlosserio]

If the connection is not happening within the Fantom and the computer, how can the sounds be affected? Are you sure you're not hearing a general midi sound either then the keyboards sounds?

[chrissy64]

Well, I'm not exactly sure but I can manipulate the sounds via the PC so it's connected in some fashion. Even the GM sounds are better than the digitized sounds I'm getting.

[V-CeeOh]

The Fantom X8 is connected to my PC via the MIDI cable

I don't get it. **One** MIDI cable?
1- If you're using standard MIDI cables you should be using 2.
2 - If you're using standard MIDI cables were do you connect them?
3 - Why use MIDI cables if you can use one simple USB cable to make the connection?

[chrissy64]

Well in my frustration I mis-spoke. It's the USB cable not a MIDI cable. I'm sending MIDI sounds to the keyboard. So stating MIDI cable was an error. It is a USB CABLE. Connected via the USB connections.

[piaknowguy]

Hi Chrissy64.

Turn off your Fantom's 'Local' switch. You can find this under MENU/SYSTEM/SOUND. If that is not the issue, you may be experiencing a driver conflict. Make sure that your Internet browser is closed when using Sonar, for example, as that has been known to cause some issues.

Cheers!
PiaKnowGuy
Film Score Demo

PiaKnow

[V-CeeOh]

Oh, the infamous MIDI signal loop

[chrissy64]

I've turned the Local OFF so doesn't appear to be a loop( but yes, it is that sort of sound) , and it's still got the digitized sound. And am still getting the same error message as before. I will try shutting the net off after to see if that makes any difference.

[dbijoux]

I've been reading on a bit trying to imagine what could be happening there. I might suggest contacting Roland Support to investigate the meaning behind the Error Message further.

There has to be something going on with the MIDI signal. If you have another USB cable, could you humor me and try swapping that?

Also, if possible, could you maybe resample a few notes and post an example for us to hear? The Local Switch On is rather distinct sound tho, so I'm pretty sure your ears aren't being deceived - strange where it could be coming from tho.

After you get this sound while you're in Sonar, if you shut that down or disconnect, does the X sound go back to normal again?

[Patrick_]

I have experienced the same problem. I believe that this is called "flamming." It is a sort of flanging effect that comes from doubled notes that are slightly delayed. When you use the Fantom with a computer based DAW, when you press a key on the keyboard of the Fantom, the sound generator is receiving notes from two sources...from the pressed key on the Fantom and from the midi note being generated in your DAW. What is happening is that for every note you press on the keyboard, two notes are being played. The prior poster was correct. You need to turn off the local switch. What is the local switch? It's basically just a control in the Fantom that turns off the ability of the keys to generate sounds. When the local switch is off, the only thing that can generate MIDI notes is an external source. And where do you find the local switch? Here's how.
1-Press the MENU button
2-Scroll down to SYSTEM, then press ENTER
3-Scroll down to the tab that says SOUND
See it? There it is. It says "Local Switch," right there at the very top. Make sure it is OFF.


You might have some MIDI configuration issues in Sonar as well. Exactly how are you configuring Sonar to receive and send MIDI messages to your Fantom?

[eltonafrodziac]

Another thing...is your keyboard (sound output) connected to your sound card on your laptop via the digital out cables. Seeing as you state when running Sonar then it only starts sounding like that. The Clock on the SPDIF on the Fantom is fixed at 44.1Khz. If Sonar sample rate is set any higher, as soon as you start it, it resets your sound cards internal sample rate and your Fantom will sound "DIGITIZED".
Hope this helps