Should I Upgrade my Fantom X for a G??

[osiris]

So I've had my Fantom X for just over a year now, and it's really dawning on me that the G has some very impressive difference.
The main ones that catch my attention are how when changing sounds, if you're holding sustain, the sound doesn't cut out. The other thing is a mfx for each channel ontop of 2mfx, chorus, reverb and mastering.

What sort of price would be reasonable for a Fantom X8, 1year old, never gigged, just a few practises, no scratches, perfect condition, including:
SRX cards for drums and ultimate keys; also 2 limited edition rock organ and analogue sound SRX cards,
and a FULL flight case, custom built worth £320 when new.

What do people think? and is it worth upgrading?

[OliBeau]

I've heard the fantom G sounds are less interesting than the fantom X one...

But well, some people will tell you better than me.

[osiris]

I just assumed the sounds would be better. It's good to see they put some sliders n xlr connection on it. Just seems tempting...

[Gustavo]

I cannot really tell for sure, but based on paper, there is not a reason for the boards to sound really different, sure maybe the G sounds a tad different, but I do not think the differences in sound are very noticeable. Mainly since they still have a very similar engines.

Although what makes the G better is not really the sounds, but the features it has got. If you got the money and REAAALLY want to have those rather nifty features, I´d say go ahead. But other than the obvious differences in features, I do not think there is much difference.

Although I may be wrong, have not been able to demo a Fantom G....

Gus

[HammondToby]

Don't count on the two additional MFX, they are not available in Live mode! The G has it's advantages, sure, but if you do not use the full potential of the X, you won't need the G. There is a way on the X to use sound switch without gap to a certain way, using RPS... I've got an pdf with instructions, if you want it, send an PM.

The sequencer and the sampler are the stronges differences, besides the live mode, so if you use them, that would be a reason. The ROM is a mix between some new samples, base samples from the X and some SRX samples and the G has more presets... I wouldn't change!

Best
Hammondtoby

[JordansFanFromSerbia]

My experience with Roland keyboards is that they rarely make noticable changes in sound engine,effects or other stuff..Especially when it comes to different models of same series :\ .

Man!If a had a Fantom X..! Its a really nice piece of equipment.. Reconsider replacing it...If you have money and you are willing to change your gear,my recommendation is that you change some other part of your gear. :smile:

[osiris]

My experience with Roland keyboards is that they rarely make noticable changes in sound engine,effects or other stuff..Especially when it comes to different models of same series :\ .

Man!If a had a Fantom X..! Its a really nice piece of equipment.. Reconsider replacing it...If you have money and you are willing to change your gear,my recommendation is that you change some other part of your gear. :smile:

I probably don't use it to its full potential YET, I guess what got me started thinking is I've been trying to learn Kindred Spirits by LTE, and the gap in the sound between patch changes sounded quite bad. But if that can be solved by using RPS instead, then thats great.

[Omega Monkey]

I wouldnt switch. For the price you will probably pay, it wouldn't really be worth it.

[osiris]

I wouldnt switch. For the price you will probably pay, it wouldn't really be worth it.

Hmm, well the thing is, I think I could sell my X for over £2,000 including a full flight case. Cause the X from dawsons its £2,000 brand new, and mine has got two limited edition expansion cards which I dont think you can get anymore, and the cards brand new would be worth over £900...

I'm still umming and erring really.

[FRETPICK]

I wouldnt switch. For the price you will probably pay, it wouldn't really be worth it.


The G has gone through the roof.:eek:

Buying a keyboard not car.:tongue:

After my last vsti purchase I won't be buying a hardware workstation. It's a shame but I can live.

[PinkFloydDudi]

The G has gone through the roof.:eek:

Buying a keyboard not car.:tongue:

After my last vsti purchase I won't be buying a hardware workstation. It's a shame but I can live.

what controller you using that would give you the controlls that some of the workstations mentioned would?

[Drusillus]

Fantom G6 user here (upgraded from Fantom-S).

I've only played the X in the store a few times, but I have to say that the sound quality on the G does seem to be next generation, I've found the sounds are so much clearer and nuanced, very happy with the sound. It's certainly light-years ahead of the S and the X wasn't THAT much better than the S in terms of sound quality.

Seamless patch switching in Live Mode is DA BOMB. Every other problem with the G is easily eclipsed by this awesome feature :) It has totally changed my way of playing and has opened a lot of options for me (previously I always switched back and forth to my second keyboard to have seamless sound between patch changes - now I can do it all on one keyboard).

The one thing I feel you should be warned about:

YOU CANNOT REALISTICALLY RECORD non-4/4 TIME SIGNATURES IN THE FANTOM-G SEQUENCER.

Since this is a prog board I figured that might be a deal breaker :) The Fantom-G DOES let you place time signature markers in your song, and on the surface APPEARS to be recording in odd time signatures, but internally, everything is stored as a 4/4 MIDI phrase. This is a problem when you go into microscope edit, or any other mode where you're looking at the actual MIDI data -- everything will be expressed in 4/4. So if you hit a bum note on the 7th beat of the 3rd bar of 9/4, you actually have to go hunting for the 1st beat of the 7th bar. Confused yet? I sure was :(

The Fantom-G is the world's most kick ass live performance keyboard, but it's got some problems in the whole "complete workstation" department.

Oh yeah, and there are ZERO Mellotron sounds :P

- Rick

[FRETPICK]

YOU CANNOT REALISTICALLY RECORD non-4/4 TIME SIGNATURES IN THE FANTOM-G SEQUENCER.

Since this is a prog board I figured that might be a deal breaker :) The Fantom-G DOES let you place time signature markers in your song, and on the surface APPEARS to be recording in odd time signatures, but internally, everything is stored as a 4/4 MIDI phrase. This is a problem when you go into microscope edit, or any other mode where you're looking at the actual MIDI data -- everything will be expressed in 4/4. So if you hit a bum note on the 7th beat of the 3rd bar of 9/4, you actually have to go hunting for the 1st beat of the 7th bar. Confused yet? I sure was :(

- Rick

:eek: Is that for real?

[Subpar]

You can record odd time signatures. YouTube search for Dan Krishners video.

[Gianni]

Oh yeah, and there are ZERO Mellotron sounds :P



When will they learn....

[Gustavo]

The Fantom-G is the world's most kick ass live performance keyboard, but it's got some problems in the whole "complete workstation" department.

Oh yeah, and there are ZERO Mellotron sounds :P

- Rick

Totally agree on that one, I would rather get a Fantom G for live stuff rather than an M3 or even a motif, due to the seamless patch switching. But since I am not really a live guy, I would rather have some other more "complete workstation".

No Mellotron?!!! This fantom you talk about is probably shitty just because of that ;) (jk, dont take it seriously)

Gus

[osiris]

Hey everyone,

First off thanks go all the replies to this post, it's been a great help.

I've decided to stick with my X. The features that originally made me wonder about upgrading to a G don't seem justified and worth while. So I'm just going to unleash the full potential of my X and learn to use it more effectively.

And of course, I'm going to sit and pray that Korg make an OASYS rack unit... That would be truely awesome!! I so hope they do. If it was similar to the V-synth XT. 4U, large screen, few controls on the unit. Would be whoreschome!!:biggrin:


But I can't see them doing it to be honest :frown:



Thanks again people,
Osiris

[Drusillus]

You can record odd time signatures. YouTube search for Dan Krishners video.

Read this part again:

"The Fantom-G DOES let you place time signature markers in your song, and on the surface APPEARS to be recording in odd time signatures, but internally, everything is stored as a 4/4 MIDI phrase. This is a problem when you go into microscope edit, or any other mode where you're looking at the actual MIDI data -- everything will be expressed in 4/4. So if you hit a bum note on the 7th beat of the 3rd bar of 9/4, you actually have to go hunting for the 1st beat of the 7th bar."

Here are some more detailed posts on this issue, for those who are interested:

http://forums.rolandclan.info/index.php?action=show_thread&thread=26628&fid=8&page=1

http://forums.rolandclan.info/index.php?action=show_thread&thread=27960&fid=8&page=1

[Mansight]

I think it's better for you to keep on playing with it first, after you can do like EVERYTHING with it, then sell it and buy the Fantom G. Because you have many things did to it! Like expansion packs and many other upgrades you made. It's your choice. If you like large screens X is Large and G is even
LARGER!!!! Have the most fun doin' gigs with the X the reconsider selling.

If I were you I would definetly keep it. It would be even better if we have a job then save enough money to buy the G. BUT there would be better workstations in the Future. But it's your choice. But I think it's best for you to keep it then sell it later after you're done with it :biggrin: