Roland Fantom 6From real comments

Verdict distilled from 44 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment57%
PROS 57%
CONS 43%

Rank based on 44 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want fast, plug-and-play access to high-quality sounds without booting a DAW
  • You perform live and value seamless sound switching plus deep physical controls
  • You prioritize piano/synth tone quality and an intuitive TR-style sequencer workflow

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a true linear sequencer or long song-mode recording
  • You want full-featured sampling like older Fantoms or the MPC Key 61
  • You're on a tight budget, since the unit and its model expansions are expensive

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Premium
Roland Fantom 6
Excellent sound qualityFast, plug-and-play workflowStrong live performance featuresLimited pattern-based sequencerHigh priceExpensive model expansions
Roland Fantom 6
Excellent sound quality
Fast, plug-and-play workflow
Strong live performance features
Limited pattern-based sequencer
High price
Expensive model expansions

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality and workflow speed are the Fantom 6's biggest strengths. Multiple users call it Roland's best workstation ever, citing luxurious, clean piano and synth tones and comprehensive sound controls. The plug-and-play nature lets musicians skip DAW loading times and jump straight into playing, which live and session players especially value. The TR-mode step sequencer and redesigned UI are also praised as intuitive and fast to learn compared to older Roland and Korg gear.

The sequencer and sampling limitations are the most common frustrations. Commenters repeatedly note the pattern-based sequencer caps out at 32-64 bars with no proper linear song mode, making it awkward for longer compositions or real-time performance recording. Others lament that sampling has been dumbed down compared to classic Fantoms like the Fantom X, requiring an external sampler such as an MPC for serious sample-based production work.

Price is a recurring sticking point, especially with add-on costs. Buyers flag European pricing near 4000-5000 euros as excessive, and note that model expansions free on the standard Fantom cost around 150 dollars each on the Fantom-0 series, pushing total cost close to a used flagship Fantom. Some feel workstations in general are overpriced compared to DAW/VST setups, though others argue the all-in-one convenience justifies the cost for live performers.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?