FA 06 + FA08

[Tom_1970]

According to this spec.list it will have SuperNatural Acoustic.
http://www.roland.com/products/en/FA-06 ... cts-tab-03
So It really contains a lot of Integra it seems.

I really like it, but my problem is that there is a lot out there that is to like.
My personal 'like list' at the moment:
- FA-06
- Aira TR-8
- Moog Sub 37
- Elektron Analog Keys

[bluehonour]

I have seen a few people complaining that FA-06 does not have aftertouch... I have never used the aftertouch feature in my Fantom G. Do people actually use this feature often? Is it a commonly used feature?

I would be more worried about RPS feature not being available...(not sure yet that RPS is missing though)

[jimmy]

Aftertouch can be useful in a synth context, on my Ultranova for example, I programmed a sound to modulate more with aftertouch which meant I could choose when to apply modulation to the note. It opens more doors when it comes to expressive playing, but I don't see it as a high priority feature - but that's just my opinion anyway.

[pianoman41]

It drives me nuts that manufacturers are offering fewer and fewer 73 or 76 key models. For playing live, 73/76 is the sweet spot between two-handed playability and size/weight. Unless you're a pro with roadies, lugging a fully weighted 88 key model around is a royal pain, and 61 doesn't offer enough spread for two-handed piano parts. Obviously the market has driven this change where it either sits in the studio (88) or it gets played only as a synth and never as a keyboard/piano (61). Until there's a FA-07 I'll hang onto my X7, thank you.

[gfan80]

I understand the complaints about it lacking aftertouch, but that never was the deciding factor when I bought a new keyboard.

Then again, I guess if it doesn't suit you, then you're probably better off with something else. So many boards, so little time.

[PauloF]

Good to see Roland took the LOGIC step to use all they actual technology to create a board that can really compete with the best sellers (Korg Krome/Kross/Yamaha's MOX/MOXF) price wise and feature wise.

For those fortunate enough to have an Integra-7 (like me), the FA-06 is a "dream came true"!! as it adds on Polyphony, Drum patterns/arps (even being only one Arp...), the sampler, the Sequencer, the integration with DAWs, the Editing capabilities and the integration of all that in one single instrument. Superb!!
Maybe it misses a few High End capabilities...yeah, but it don't cost the High end price, so forget it...

I was thinking about completing my rig with a Korg Krome/Kross or (better) a MOXF, but after seeing the FA-06, I'll be waiting a bit more until it comes out to a local dealer for me to try, and maybe I can offer myself one on my 60th birthday lol.

This link shows a great deal on the machine IMHO

[plasmis]

They just look cheap. I hope the price is too.

Almost exactly the same marketing slogans as the Fantom X was sold with in 2003. And so far I wouldn't "upgrade" mine.

The Jupiter would be a no-brainer after this.

EDIT: If the Fa-06 weighs only 5,7 Kg, and plays well, then her looks deceive her! I might have to beg my pardon! :) (The FX6 weighs about 13Kg).

[tonycroftkbd]

I hate the split/dual concept that we see on lots of cheaper keyboards. This is fine if you only need 1 sound/patch per song but for most live playing you either need a performance mode with sliders that control the volume of multiple patches (maybe the 6 knobs can be assigned to do that?) or you need seamless switching between performance set-ups.
On the positive side, the 06 is cheaper than an Integra so if it has all the same sounds and you haven't bought the box yet, it seems a good deal. I also like the pads which follow the Fantom legacy. I really hope this is the harbinger of a new Roland Fantom flagship.

[cminor]

I hate the split/dual concept that we see on lots of cheaper keyboards. This is fine if you only need 1 sound/patch per song but for most live playing you either need a performance mode with sliders that control the volume of multiple patches (maybe the 6 knobs can be assigned to do that?) or you need seamless switching between performance set-ups.
On the positive side, the 06 is cheaper than an Integra so if it has all the same sounds and you haven't bought the box yet, it seems a good deal. I also like the pads which follow the Fantom legacy. I really hope this is the harbinger of a new Roland Fantom flagship.

You didn't listen to the promo well.
The split/dual it's a shortcut.
If you push both buttons, you enter in the 16 track mode, and work as in performance mode, and you can use 16 instruments as you wish.

I don't like the "trigger sampler", I wanted a full flash sampler , but still, it's not a juno workstation, it's more then that.
I think it's a DJ Workstation , a looping station , not a studio/live workstation.
And for those who are excited about the "integra sounds", I remind you that GW-8 and Sonic Cell had "Fantom" sounds. I used to test both, GW-8 and Sonic Cell, and both were under the Fantom as "quality". Fluffy and cheap sound compare to my X7.
So yes, FA-06/08 may have patches that are from Integra. But without the soundcard of the Integra, or the same ROM (Mb), engine, all the promo is a cheap commercial trick.

[fmw]

A good new video with a lot of sound expamples
is here with Daniel Fisher from sweetwater:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqT0KNR9Pt4

It sounds great!

[jimmy]

A good new video with a lot of sound expamples
is here with Daniel Fisher from sweetwater:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqT0KNR9Pt4

It sounds great!

Agreed, I was beginning to think I would have to get a MOXF and suffer with the trebley Yamaha sound, this on the other hand has the fatter Roland sound which I personally much prefer, so it's great Roland came out with this.

And for those who are excited about the "integra sounds", I remind you that GW-8 and Sonic Cell had "Fantom" sounds. I used to test both, GW-8 and Sonic Cell, and both were under the Fantom as "quality". Fluffy and cheap sound compare to my X7.
So yes, FA-06/08 may have patches that are from Integra. But without the soundcard of the Integra, or the same ROM (Mb), engine, all the promo is a cheap commercial trick.

You make a valid argument for being skeptical, and it does seem like they've focussed more on the synth-sounds of the Integra from reading the specs, I guess because they don't use as many samples and as such they don't need such a big ROM in the FA. In the above demo the acoustic sounds don't sound bad, though to my ear they don't seem as crisp and smooth as the Integra-7 ones, though obviously it's hard to make an accurate assessment from one video. Still, the FA is the cheapest SuperNatural synth so far, and if considered part of the budget/mid-range, a massive step up from the JUNOs.

As I said before, looking forward to getting a list of all the on-board sounds, I had my eye on the Integra-7 for some of it's synth sounds like D-52 Babe and 42 Brass, so hopefully those are included on this.

[howardS]

It does sound great although RPS will be missed. Also, the promotional materials state "SuperNATURAL synth and acoustic tones and drums" and organ doesn't fit into any of these categories.

[scramble]

I have seen a few people complaining that FA-06 does not have aftertouch... I have never used the aftertouch feature in my Fantom G. Do people actually use this feature often? Is it a commonly used feature?

I use aftertouch a lot.

Anyone have any idea about whether it will have the SRX tones like the Integra does?

And what about an S/PDIF Out? The photo of the back isn't quite high enough a resolution to tell...

[cello]

FYI - no SRX tones and no S/PDIF Out.

[jimmy]

Anyone have any idea about whether it will have the SRX tones like the Integra does?

It's only 2000 of the 6000 Integra Tones, which includes:
ALL the SuperNATURAL Synth tones - 1067 patches according to Integra-7 sound list.
ALL the XV-5080 PCM sounds - 256
But only a selection of the SuperNATURAL Acoustic. Whats interesting the the Integra-7 has only 215 SN-A sounds so I'm unsure why a) they didn't include all of them and b) what the rest of the sounds are.
No mention of SRX so I'm pretty sure it does not include SRX.

Sources:
http://www.roland.com/products/en/FA-06 ... cts-tab-02
http://lib.roland.co.jp/support/en/manu ... je01_W.pdf
http://lib.roland.co.jp/support/en/manu ... _qa_e6.pdf

And what about an S/PDIF Out? The photo of the back isn't quite high enough a resolution to tell...

Doesn't look like it from this image - http://www.roland.com/products/en/FA-06 ... e_11_L.jpg . However the USB will likely carry digital audio/midi, but obviously that's not as flexible as S/PDIF.

It does sound great although RPS will be missed. Also, the promotional materials state "SuperNATURAL synth and acoustic tones and drums" and organ doesn't fit into any of these categories.

Organs are included as mentioned on the above linked page, and can be heard on the Sweetwater demo vid.