Roland Fantom 7 (Black)

Roland FANTOM 7 at a glance:

• Synthesizer Workstation
• 76 keys semi-weighted
• channel aftertouch
• 7" touch display
• Compatible with Roland Cloud sound content
• Incl. model expansions: Jupiter-8, Juno-106, JX-8P & SH-101 (via Roland Cloud)
• Multisampling (multisample can be used as oscillator in Patch )
• Over 3500 sounds
• Over 90 Drum kits
• V-Piano Technology
• 90 multieffects
• 16x Part EQ
• Master Compressor
• 32-Band Stereo Vocoder
• Analog Filter with 6 types + Drive
• 128 LFOs can be used simultaneously
• 512 scenes for spontaneous ideas
• 16 parts/tracks with sequencer
• realtime, step & TR recording
• Parameters can be recorded in the pattern
• Pattern length up to 32 bars
• Sampler
• Pad assignment (MPC style)
• 16 pads x 4 banks
• Rhythm Pattern
• Arpeggiator
• Chord Memory
• Pitch/ModWheel & Joystick
• Expandable sound engine

Connectors:

• XLR & 6.3mm jack mainout
• 2x stereo sub outputs
• Dual analog filter output
• Headphone output
• 2x CV/Gate Out
  
• USB for host and external harddisk/USB stick
• 3x USB for other controllers etc.
• 2x Micro/Line inputs with level control
  
• 4x pedal inputs
• MIDI In, Out, Thru
• Cold-device connection (power)

Sounds & Synthesis

Roland has dug deep into the FANTOM and equips its flagship with over 3500 sounds and over 90 Drum kits, as well as the cutting-edge, as well as first-class V-Piano. Strings, organ, piano, guitar, brass, choir, wind instruments and more; the selection in FANTOM is sheer remarkable!

The typical Roland sound architecture has been retained in that each sound can still consist of up to four Parts. However, the Parts correspond to a complete, extensive synthesizer voice at FANTOM, complete with their own oscillator and filter models, envelopes, modulation assignments and, of course, their own volume and pan settings. Also, a double LFO can be used for each of the four parts, which not only has the usual waveforms, with and without BPM synchronization, but can also create its own waveforms by hand. We calculate: 16 tracks with up to 8 LFOs per sound; 128 LFOs simultaneously! Those who like to create new sounds from scratch will find here the source of all modulation ideas.
The new and above all extended architecture makes it possible to create sounds according to the modular principle: take the SuperSaw oscillator (known from the JP-8000) for example and combine it with the Juno filter; what was reserved for modularists so far, is served here in a storable way! Different synthesis technologies can be set for each sound and part, so nothing stands in the way of a layered sound that is composed of a roaring organ, bells wrapped in delays and a crisp Bass.

Effects

A whole 90 multi-effects are just waiting to change and refine the generated sounds individually or parallel respectively serially, per part. The selection of delay, reverb, chorus, flanger, distortion, real uniques with wow character, should leave nothing to be desired. The Fantom also has enough power to calculate complex effect chains for each of the 16 tracks without running out of breath. In addition, each part has its own equalizer. The Master compressor is located above the main output. A special position is given to the analogue filter, which has four different filter types (LPF, BPF, HPF & PKG) including Drive ready. The filter can be assigned to individual tracks, the main output, a Return from the DAW or the analog inputs. Thus it is not only an extended part of the sound generation, but also an independent effect to give sounds the final touch at the right place.

Sequencer & Sampler

The sequencer of the Fantom has been thoroughly revised and now offers parallel different recording and composing concepts, which perfectly support the "genre typical" recording methods. Instead of recording all tracks in one pattern "like before", the Fantom offers the possibility to combine the 16 tracks freely and to use them independently. Songs can be arranged classically linear or in the clip sequencer (comparable with Ableton Live). The TR/step sequencer, which also masters sub steps and ratching, is ideally suited for programming rhythms. The perfectly played piano or the funky organ can be recorded in real time, optionally with or without note quantization. The same applies to the 16 pads, which fire off individual sounds from the internal sound generation, or their own samples. This way of working of the pads is known from Akai's MPC series. The sampler is also hidden behind the pads; with eight-fold polyphony, four banks of 16 pads each can be assigned. Sounds and Loops can be up to 2GB in size, time stretching is of course also offered for Loops. Likewise, an extensively equipped Arpeggiator and a chord memory function are among the Fantom's refined play-in aids.

Complete DAW integration

The FANTOM can be fully integrated into the workflow of a DAW (including Apple Logic Pro, GarageBand, MainStage). Thanks to the USB audio interface, 16 stereo tracks can be recorded, edited and, above all, processed in parallel in the computer. Three stereo tracks are addressable from the DAW into the FANTOM; be it for editing a track with the analog filter or as audio output from the DAW to the main mixer. Plug-ins loaded in the DAW can be conveniently operated and edited from the FANTOM, and the fact that this also includes song position pointers and the entire transport field of the DAW should be mentioned here in passing. The DAW and plug-in controls are also stored in the scenes and are available in seconds when called up; the prerequisite for this is that the computer is connected and the DAW is open. Otherwise, this data is not taken into account when loading.

Thanks to several USB ports, it goes without saying that in addition to the connection to a computer and an external storage medium such as a USB stick, it is also possible to connect other devices. For example, you can connect a second keyboard for double-manual playing, a Breath controller or a fader box.

System Update 2.5

With the new or 2.5 Roland presents a trend-setting update for the synthesizer workstation Fantom 6/7/8. From now on the Fantom offers the seamless integration of the popular DAW Ableton Live. The high-resolution touchscreen and haptic controls provide access to numerous parameters and transport functions of the DAW. The second highlight is a virtual Tone Wheel organ based on Roland's well-known VL organ series. The typical organ stops are made tangible via the touchscreen. Rotary effect, brake control and even the tube distortion are adjustable in detail. With this, Roland once again shows what good product care means.

Update History

Since its launch in September 2019, the Fantom 6/7/8 series has been continuously improved and enhanced with new features. The update history is intended to give you an overview of the versions:

new features from version 2.50

• seamless integration into the DAW Ableton Live
  
• new instrument: Tonewheel-Organ

new functions from version 2.10

• option to import the model expansions of the vintage synthesizers JUPITER-8, JUNO-106, JX-8P and SH101 (via Roland Cloud)

new features from version 2.00

• Multisampling - a multisample can even be used as an oscillator for a Patch.
• Triggering of pattern groups via the pads (Group Play)
• input of automation data into the sequencer patterns
• extended effect possibilities (TFX as MASTER FX, Input MFX for System FX)

new functions from version 1.60

• export/import function for Scenes - exchange sounds and sequences with other Fantom musicians
• SuperNatural Acoustic&Electric Piano sound library
• Compatibility with sound content for the Fantom in the Roland Cloud

new features from version 1.50

• 32-band Stereo Vocoder including use of an external synthesizer as carrier
• SuperNatural Strings&Brass Sound Library
• import/export of SVZ sound data (using the SVZ Sample Converter software for importing SoundFont data)

new features from version 1.11

• option to install up to 16 Wave expansions