Roland Fantom-08chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Commenters say Roland removed string and damper resonance from the SuperNatural pianos on the Fantom-0 series, resulting in piano tones that sound sub-par or synthetic compared to competitors and other price-comparable instruments.

@ludovitlacko2889

Hello, most people who showcase this instrument focus on all the other sounds except for the acoustic piano. The few videos where they do feature acoustic pianos, those pianos sound very synthetic... in my opinion, they sound the worst compared to any other instrument in this price range. Would it be possible to create a video that goes into more detail, specifically focusing on the acoustic pianos of this instrument?\launch

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November 10, 2024

@BUJU2007

I just wish Roland had better quality piano sounds. It's the only thing keeping it from literally blowing away all the competition.launch

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January 20, 2024

@geoffk777

I generally agree with you, but I do have a few concerns about the Fantom-0:\n1. The pianos are disappointing. Roland has apparently removed string and damper resonance from the SuperNatural pianos on the Fantoms (it was an adjustable parameter on the FA series--but not the Fantoms). On the big Fantoms, the V-Panos have it, but on the Fantom-0's, all of the pianos are a little sub-par.\n2. The expansion memory is limited. Even on the big Fantoms, you can run out of memory for samples, but on the 0, you only have 256 Mb for expansion packs AND user samples. That means that only two or three packs will fit at once. And they take a while to load.\n3. The vintage synth model expansions (Juno 106, Jupiter 8, etc.) are free on the big Fantom, but $150 each on the 0. That's a non-trivial $600 to get all four. And you can't run the N/Zyme expansion at all.\nAll that said, the panel layout and DAW integration is great, and the action iand sequencer is better than an MODX8. But just for the internal piano and internal sounds, I think that an MODX8 sounds a little better. It's a judgment call.launch

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April 30, 2022

The classic synth model expansions (Juno-106, Jupiter-8, SH-101, JX8P) that come free on the full-size Fantom cost $150 each on the 0-series, adding up to $600 total and pushing the price near a used full Fantom.

@Danny-jv3xo

This is a great summary. I’ve had it for a while and my biggest gripe is the way that they slimmed down the fantom 8 controls was pretty clunky. Losing all the lights to know where parameters are set when changing presets, combining 2 rows of buttons for the zone controls into one row with a shift button, and randomly losing one of the physical sliders on the tone wheel organ, removing the synth envelope controls, it makes the navigation kinda quirky and you lose a lot of tactile control. And then I’m also bummed that the cool n/zyme expansion they came out with is only for the full fantom 8 and we don’t get it here. I wish you could get the lighter weight and smaller size of the PHA-4 keys but with the full functionality of the fantom 8.\n\nEven with all that it’s still a great value though and it’s a lot of fun to play.launch

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January 20, 2024

@geoffk777

I generally agree with you, but I do have a few concerns about the Fantom-0:\n1. The pianos are disappointing. Roland has apparently removed string and damper resonance from the SuperNatural pianos on the Fantoms (it was an adjustable parameter on the FA series--but not the Fantoms). On the big Fantoms, the V-Panos have it, but on the Fantom-0's, all of the pianos are a little sub-par.\n2. The expansion memory is limited. Even on the big Fantoms, you can run out of memory for samples, but on the 0, you only have 256 Mb for expansion packs AND user samples. That means that only two or three packs will fit at once. And they take a while to load.\n3. The vintage synth model expansions (Juno 106, Jupiter 8, etc.) are free on the big Fantom, but $150 each on the 0. That's a non-trivial $600 to get all four. And you can't run the N/Zyme expansion at all.\nAll that said, the panel layout and DAW integration is great, and the action iand sequencer is better than an MODX8. But just for the internal piano and internal sounds, I think that an MODX8 sounds a little better. It's a judgment call.launch

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April 30, 2022

@Neepz71

My 06 arrived yesterday, brilliant keyboard and sounds great, but I'm a bit disappointed the 4 classic model expansions that are free on the standard Fantom will set you back $600 for the set on the Fantom 0 series, that kinda puts the total near to the price of a good second hand standard Fantom, and above that of the Korg Nautilus with its classics in a far better built keyboard.\nRoland really need to rethink the price of the expansions in my opinion, they're just way too expensive at 150 bucks each.launch

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March 27, 2022

Users report that only 256MB-2GB is available for expansion packs and user samples, filling up quickly, and that the lack of SD card support hampers long-term project and sample management.

@geoffk777

I generally agree with you, but I do have a few concerns about the Fantom-0:\n1. The pianos are disappointing. Roland has apparently removed string and damper resonance from the SuperNatural pianos on the Fantoms (it was an adjustable parameter on the FA series--but not the Fantoms). On the big Fantoms, the V-Panos have it, but on the Fantom-0's, all of the pianos are a little sub-par.\n2. The expansion memory is limited. Even on the big Fantoms, you can run out of memory for samples, but on the 0, you only have 256 Mb for expansion packs AND user samples. That means that only two or three packs will fit at once. And they take a while to load.\n3. The vintage synth model expansions (Juno 106, Jupiter 8, etc.) are free on the big Fantom, but $150 each on the 0. That's a non-trivial $600 to get all four. And you can't run the N/Zyme expansion at all.\nAll that said, the panel layout and DAW integration is great, and the action iand sequencer is better than an MODX8. But just for the internal piano and internal sounds, I think that an MODX8 sounds a little better. It's a judgment call.launch

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April 30, 2022

@Neepz71

My 06 arrived yesterday, brilliant keyboard and sounds great, but I'm a bit disappointed the 4 classic model expansions that are free on the standard Fantom will set you back $600 for the set on the Fantom 0 series, that kinda puts the total near to the price of a good second hand standard Fantom, and above that of the Korg Nautilus with its classics in a far better built keyboard.\nRoland really need to rethink the price of the expansions in my opinion, they're just way too expensive at 150 bucks each.launch

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March 27, 2022

@grayshadowglade

The new Fantom is a significant step up from the prior workstations and clearly leverages a consolidation of the software implementations within the Roland product family. Someone in the Roland product team is actually listening to the consumer base as some of the new firmware features are directly from the prior FA series workstations. However, the price point is a touch high and I'm dissappointed that there is no SD card support for long term project or sample management. Otherwise this is a solid machine for a generalized workstation.launch

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September 19, 2020

Some users experienced trouble connecting the Fantom to Logic, FL Studio, or iPads, citing driver problems and unstable computer recognition despite good sound quality.

@TUPCU313

I bought a new 06 . Nord electro6, Korg pa700, Yamaha stage piano owner. His memory is inadequate. I play Turkish set and Western Music together for my use. I need to delete the piano set to load the Turkish sound package. I use Mainstage as Daw. It recognizes it as a sound card and goes to the mixer from the outputs of 06. It's great so far, but the computer doesn't recognize it every time I plug it in. I need to make a lot of adjustments. It doesn't work stable.launch

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December 11, 2025

@justvibesmuziq8459

I wish I was as happy and confident in this keyboard as you unfortunately this exact keyboard as been nothing but headache trying to get it integrated with logic and fl studio. it definately has great sound but it not user friendly at all...not the best for studio and daw user the Yamaha or the Mac 61 is better when it comes to fast pace work flow and quick easy connection and integrationlaunch

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February 15, 2023

@bsbarber73

Hey I really like your video. I was thinking the same thing about it. I bought it to control logic but I found out my computer is too old and will not update to except the new drivers. So I’m trying to connect it to my iPad Pro via USB cable to camera kit which is basically the USB input for USB-C. I can get MIDI control but I cannot get audio to go through. If you happen to have an iPad could you let me know if it works on yours because I’m thinking at this point after trying most of the settings there might be something faulty with the unit or I need to use a different method of USB connection. Note that this method I’m using worked with my Yamaha MODX 6 keyboard and works for recording all my usb audio gear and the Fantom 0 is the only one I cant get audio on. Thanks for the video and any insight you could provide in this matter.launch

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May 22, 2022

Reviewers wanted velocity-sensitive pads, loop tempo-sync, and the ability to play more than a few drum pads simultaneously, calling the sampling functionality half-finished compared to older Fantoms.

@fmagic2000able

Just a quick note: I would not necessarily ditch the MPC altogether. The pads on this keyboard are trigger-only and do not support velocity or after-touch, so if someone feels that's necessary and just using keys on a keyboard to enter drumming does not work for you then use the MPC for that purpose, if you happen to have one. Outside of that, it's all good.\n\nAlso, someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but it I believe it also lacks audio time stretching which was a nice feature to have on the older Fantoms. Of course, you can always use your favorite DAW for that functionality nowadays, but to have it at-the-ready on the keyboard and automatically adjust your samples based on the tempo of your song was a nice feature too.launch

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July 26, 2022

@CharlesGreeneMusic

Two things I was hoping for: Velocity Sensitive Pads, and the ability to load in a sample loop and sync it to the tempo of the sequencer. My old Fantom X has these features...launch

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March 19, 2022

@jorgelmartinez2637

First off , this is the best and most comprehensive tutorial out there thank you ! I like to assign different drum patterns to each pad and trigger them individually. Have you found a way to be able to assign a different pattern to each pad and be able to play each of the pads simultaneously? Currently I have been able to play only 4 pads simultaneously which seems like a waste since we have 16 pads available.launch

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April 15, 2021

Multiple new owners say the manual and available tutorials are incomplete or too advanced, making it hard to learn basic operations like assigning rhythms or navigating the organ page.

@Angelpea-o1o

it's annoying how they don't teach you to use it just show what it can do-- how do i find the organ page with the pipes ?? when i go to organ i don't see how i can control it all with the sliders. there is no step by step to navigate and the manual is not helpfullaunch

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July 6, 2024

@carolabaer1138

I just bought the fantom 08and the instructions are incomplete minimal and literally every video is complex . I can’t find basic info on how to play rhythm and keys simultaneously or assign rhythm to a fader if that’s possible or switch eg the instrument in zone 5 to zone 2 or how to assign the foot peddle only to piano so doesn’t smudge strings / other sounds . Even if I put beginners in the search people start talking about oscillators adjusting wave forms sampling and other high end fancy tech terminology and tricks but no one is explaining first steps . Really depressing as nothing in the manual nothing on line so how on earth can you learn about this keyboard . I’ve spent about five hours so far and all you get is random out of context out of order irrelevant info to where my skills are atm with this machine . Anyone got any adviselaunch

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June 5, 2024

An owner notes that slimmed-down controls on the 0-series lose indicator lights, combine button rows, and drop the synth envelope controls, making navigation and tactile control feel clunky.

@Danny-jv3xo

This is a great summary. I’ve had it for a while and my biggest gripe is the way that they slimmed down the fantom 8 controls was pretty clunky. Losing all the lights to know where parameters are set when changing presets, combining 2 rows of buttons for the zone controls into one row with a shift button, and randomly losing one of the physical sliders on the tone wheel organ, removing the synth envelope controls, it makes the navigation kinda quirky and you lose a lot of tactile control. And then I’m also bummed that the cool n/zyme expansion they came out with is only for the full fantom 8 and we don’t get it here. I wish you could get the lighter weight and smaller size of the PHA-4 keys but with the full functionality of the fantom 8.\n\nEven with all that it’s still a great value though and it’s a lot of fun to play.launch

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January 20, 2024