Roland FANTOM-8 EX Workstation Synthesizer  

Roland FANTOM-8 EX Workstation Synthesizer

The new Roland FANTOM-8 EX is a software upgrade to the very popular FANTOM-8. This workstation adds a number of much-requested sound engines, and improves on many of the traditional sounds and settings. For anyone who has not yet delved into the wonderful world of Roland sounds and effects, this new FANTOM-EX is a great synthesizer that raises the bar even higher for the rest of the market!

What is the FANTOM

The Roland FANTOM is the top model workstation synthesiser from the famous Japanese brand with a legendary history in synthesisers. And that history is reflected in the FANTOM. With over 7000 sounds, an unprecedented number of effects and possibilities, it is the perfect overall package for many amateurs and professionals. The FANTOM is known for its user-friendly operation and powerful analogue and acoustic sounds. Are you looking for a total package keyboard instrument for on stage, or in the studio? Then this Roland FANTOM-8 EX is definitely for you! This model has 88 weighted keys, but a 76-key and 61-key variant are also made.

Recognizable hardware

The Roland FANTOM-EX is a software upgrade on the older FANTOM models. This means that the model's acclaimed hardware remains the same, except for the EX emblem below the logo. Roland also has no reason to change the hardware of the FANTOM. The rock-solid metal housing makes this FANTOM indestructible and ideal for the touring musician. The operation in combination with the clear touchscreen LCD display also proved to be a great choice in the 1st generation. The 16 RGB pads together with the line inputs and USB stick compatibility also make this a great sampler. The hardware of the Roland FANTOM was a success from day 1, and so the FANTOM EX has taken this with it!

New and improved sound engines

So the real upgrade of the Roland FANTOM-8 EX is in the sound engines, and this is not just a small thing. Roland has put its own digital engines from the Jupiter-8, JX-3P, JD-800, SH-101 and N/Zyme in the new FANTOM-EX in their entirety! Where before you could only use and edit presets, there are now a number of legendary synthesizers complete in the FANTOM, genius if you want to produce or compose with this workstation.

Of course, Roland has also updated its older sound engines. For instance, the well-known SuperNatural Engine, which produces, among other things, the V-piano sounds, now comes with a number of new high-quality sounds. These include the German Grand sound recently launched on the RD-2000, but of course many more sounds. The tone wheel organ engine has been replaced for that of the Roland VK series, and this makes the Hammond B3 and other sounds a lot more realistic. Finally, the FANTOM-EX gets a brand new reverb engine, including shimmer and modulation reverb. In short: quite an update internally!