Fantomizing guitar

[mrp]

I used fantom today as a guitar preamp and it really works fine. Just through ext input and some tweaking in mfx amp simulator and the results are just as good as with v-amp or pod. And you can drive it through reverb and chorus as well!
I´ve used my fantom for 4 moths now and everytime i get still surprised...
I can´t understand why some people are dissin´ its sequencer vs. software as its obvious. You can use fantoms sequencer and make really different results, but hey you still don´t have to sell your dear cubase away. They both work in different situations! One hiphop gig made with fantom and during the show I found out many different logic ways to colour the sound more and to add many things to pre-made backings. Didn´t really have time to think what to do with pads and controllers, but everything sounded like i had done hours of work with arrangements. Most of songs were trigged from the pads and d-beam found out to be very good way to control filters and fx live. Easily the best live instrument I have owned!!!

[MusicPreacher]

I use the fantom for just about everything, but I wull use it now as a vocal processor. Just ran an sm-58 through the effects section and I love the results. Definately no a stand alone unit, but pretty convincing.

LaShund

[gtds]

Can you route the input source through the effects and actually hear the effects applied to that source through the outputs?

I thought that wasn't possible

:O.

gtds

[Lawrencew]

"Can you route the input source through the effects and actually hear the effects applied to that source through the outputs?"

Yep. Absolutely

[Red Winger]

Gtds,

There was some confusion on this early on. You can't do in-track sampling (you'll recall all of our discussion on that), but you can run the audio input through one of the MFX boxes and hear the results in real-time through the phone or audio outs, either when sampling or not. Thus, you can use the FS live as a guitar/vocal efx (you also get to add limiting, compression, noise suppression, etc. to the input before it goes to the MFX if you want), albeit something of a simple one (only one effect at a time...you can't chain the MFX on the audio input, although some of the efx are combis), or you can use it to rehearse and then sample it while audible.

It's actually pretty cool. I've been particularly pleased with the results I get on my strat when passing it through an overdrive/delay combo effect.

Cheers,
RW

It is not how loud you make it, it is how you make it loud. Bob Katz

[gtds]

That's cool. That would suit me fine as I'm trying to sell my Boss BR-8. It's got built in effects for vocals, guitar and keybaords/drum machines (there's a strong emphasis on guitar effects).

So, in effect, what you are saying is that I can plug a microphone, guitar, drum machine, etc... and use the FS effects and the connect the 'outs' of the FS to the 'ins' of my soundcard on my PC....?

I can imagine the quality and fleixibility is not going to be on a par with standalone units, but as long as it does the job I'd be happy in the interim, until I can afford to buy dedicated FX processors. For example, I'd like to get a Line6 GuitarPort to record ...ahem.. guitar.

BTW - It's taking me a long time to get to grips with Logic. I find myself getting bored of reading the guidebook and trying things hands on, but having not much luck. How are you getting on?

gtds

[Alexander]

Did you use a DI-Box or, did you connect your guitar direct to the fantom ?
I´m sometimes jamming with a guitar player that uses a yamaha fx770 and a dg1000 as a preamp.
I wonder if the fantom will sound better, because he uses is really old digital stuff.

Alexander

[Silas]

gtds:

Have a look at this: http://www.vtc.com/logic.htm

It helped me a lot. You can sign up for a one-month membership. It will cost 25$. I learned more from this course than i did with 3 books on Logic.

But i consider dropping Logic completely. It's future is very uncertain. Only Steve Jobs can tell...

Maybe i will get a MV8000, when the reviews on it are okay. If the interface is as good as the Fantom's. BTW, has anybody had his hands on the MV8000 yet? I heard there are sounds on board. What kind of sounds? It is shipping since yesterday, but i have not been to my music-store yet.

[gtds]

Cool - thanks.

I had a quick look and looks interesting but I only have a 56k connection so I don't think the movies will be a good idea. Is there any text to read and illustrations? Also, how does it apply to version 5 of Logic for PC, which is what I have?

Thanks

gtds

[Silas]

It is for Logic 6 and (obviously) OS9 & OSX only. With your connection the streaming will take to long, sorry. I don't know if the DVD's are worth the money to you. I was happy with the streaming video for 25$. But it is a very good course, i would say.

Here is another one: http://www.gearvision.com/catalog/produ ... ducts_id=1

But i can not comment on it.

[Lawrencew]

"So, in effect, what you are saying is that I can plug a microphone, guitar, drum machine, etc... and use the FS effects and the connect the 'outs' of the FS to the 'ins' of my soundcard on my PC....? "

Yes

"I can imagine the quality and fleixibility is not going to be on a par with standalone units, but as long as it does the job I'd be happy in the interim, until I can afford to buy dedicated FX processors."

Actually, the FS effects might be higher quality than a standalone unit in some respects. Remember it is an expensive peice of kit in comparison to some of the guitar effects out there.

Consider also that
- the FS has some effects that you woudn't often find on a guitar effects unit - you might get something unusual and original out of the FS
- If you use the whole of the FS as an effects unit you have some pretty hefty effects horsepower there with
a. a set of effects dedicated to the input - like compressor and limiter
b. three independent effects processors that can be combined in many ways
c. chorus and reverb
d and mastering effects

Not many effects pedals with that lot!!!

[Silas]

I agree with you on the quality of the effects. I only have my Fantom for a week now, but the effects really blew me right away. I always liked the Roland guitar effects on synths. Daft Punk anyone? And i prefer them over Logic's effects. Very musical, very useable, very pleasing, very easy - just like the whole Fantom-S. Hail the Fantom-S!

[gtds]

I agree with you Lawrencew

...but the BR-8 doesn't have guitar effects alone. It has other funky effects, also found on the FS like lowering bit level effects, gramophone/vinyl/radio type effects, formant effects, etc...

Quite an original piece of kit when it first came out.

Although it wasn't exactly musical I used to have hours of fun singing into the unit and sounding like a chipmunk!

gtds

[Lawrencew]

"...but the BR-8 doesn't have guitar effects alone. It has other funky effects, also found on the FS like lowering bit level effects, gramophone/vinyl/radio type effects, formant effects, etc..."

Probably because of course the BR-8 along with the FS share the same effects processing algorithms with other Roland products

[gtds]

Lawrencew

Exactly. The effects processors at the heart of the BR-8, various VS recording studios, Fantom, MV8000, MC909 and Fantom-S are more or less the same.

They all have a variety of effects and effect chains (suited to particular needs). They all have COSM technology.

In effect they are all musical instruments/DAW's with a Boss VF-1 inside.

I say "more or less" because different products have different needs and uses, therefore, emphasis is shown in particular areas of the effects chain.

gtds