The Fantom-X (Xa/X6/X7/X8/XR) is a music workstation/synthesizer produced by Roland Corporation. It was introduced in 2004 as an upgrade from the Fantom S series. The Fantom-X competes with the Korg Triton/Triton Extreme, the Yamaha Motif ES and other similar large-scope keyboards such as the discontinued Alesis Fusion. In 2008 it was succeeded by the Fantom-G*, which was devised to compete with the new Korg and Yamaha flagship keyboards.

Roland Fantom-X
ManufacturerRoland
Dates2004 - 2008
PriceX6 £1599 GBP[1]
X7 £1999 GBP
X8 £2299 GBP
Technical specifications
Polyphony128 voices[2]
Timbrality16
Oscillatorn/a
LFO2
Synthesis typeDigital sample-based synthesis
Filter1 per tone (4 tones per patch)
Attenuator1
Aftertouch expressionYes
Velocity expressionYes
Storage memory32MB + DIMM slot expandable up to 512MB
Effects78
Input/output
Keyboard61/76/88 keys
External controlUSB and MIDI

Features

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The Roland Fantom-X features a 128-voice PCM-based synthesizer, a 16-track MRC-Pro sequencer, 6 effects processors, dynamic pads and infrared D-Beam, a stereo sampler and full on-screen editing. The Fantom X received an audio recorder upgrade with version 2.00 that allows for 8 stereo audio tracks integrated with the internal MIDI sequencer.

  • The Fantom X6 - 61-key version with aftertouch[3]
  • The Fantom X7 - 76-key version with aftertouch
  • The Fantom X8 - 88-key fully weighted piano keyboard
  • The Fantom XR - (rackmount module version) accepts up to six SRX expansion boards.
  • The Fantom Xa - Newer model with a smaller screen. Has multiple I/O, microphone inputs, multisampling and 128-note polyphony.

All Fantom X series, except for Xa, accept up to four SRX-series wave expansion boards. Total of 12 different SRX boards were produced.

Models

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There are five models in the Fantom-X family:

  • X6: 61 keys - velocity and aftertouch.
  • X7: 76 keys - velocity and aftertouch.
  • X8: 88 weighted, hammer-action keys.
  • XR: Rack-mounted sound module holds up to six SRX expansion boards but does not feature a sequencer.
  • Xa: 61 keys - velocity only.
 
Roland Fantom X6 Top View

The X6, X7, and X8, apart from their keyboards, are almost identical in the controls they offer, the internal software they run, and the expansions they accept.

In 2005 the 61-key Fantom-Xa was released. The Xa still uses the same Waveforms and the new X series Chip. The Xa comes with a smaller mpc style graphical green screen, the keyboard is not as professional, and lacks aftertouch.

Successors

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After the Fantom-X, Roland produced its successor, the Fantom-G, which included twice the waveform memory, more patches, 128 voice polyphony,[4] advanced and easy to use sequencer. Fantom-G accepts new ARX wave expansion cards, has larger full-color screen,[5] 16 insert effects per patch and other improvements. A partial follow up to the Roland Fantom-X is the Integra-7 sound module. It does not have sequencer, sampler or other functions, however it does contain the waveforms of all SRX boards at a time.

In 2019, Roland released the Fantom 6/7/8 series workstation which includes multiple synth engines, following the footsteps of Korg Kronos and Yamaha Montage.

In March 2022, Roland released the Fantom-0 series (Fantom 06/07/08) with features inherited from the Fantom series.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Roland Fantom X". 2015-06-08. Archived from the original on 2015-06-08. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
  2. ^ "Roland Fantom X". Sound On Sound. September 2004. Archived from the original on 8 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Roland Fantom X8". www.dancingdots.com. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  4. ^ "Roland Fantom-G - Roland+Clan". www.rolandclan.com. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  5. ^ Corporation, Roland. "Roland - Fantom-G8 | Workstation Keyboard". Roland. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  6. ^ Corporation, Roland. "Roland introduces Fantom-0 synthesizer keyboard series". Roland. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
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