The Roland Fantom X represents the third iteration of Roland's flagship workstation synthesizer line, following the original Fantom and the Fantom S. This latest evolution brings significant improvements including a color display, increased polyphony, expanded memory, and enhanced performance features, positioning it as a serious contender against competitors like Korg's Triton and Yamaha's Motif ES.

Models

The Fantom X is available in three keyboard models:

• Fantom X6: 61-note keyboard
• Fantom X7: 76-note keyboard
• Fantom X8: 88-note hammer-action keyboard

Additionally, there's a 1U rack equivalent, the Fantom XR, which differs from the keyboard models by having no sequencer, two additional expansion slots, and half the amount of flash RAM.

Key Features

Color Display

One of the most noticeable upgrades is the angled 320x240 color display - a first for high-end synth workstations. Far from being a mere gimmick, the color screen allows for clearer presentation of information, making even complex screens like the Performance Mixer more readable and usable.

Enhanced Polyphony

The Fantom X features 128-note polyphony (up from 64 notes in previous models), powered by Roland's most powerful processor chip to date. This significant improvement helps it catch up with competing workstations from Yamaha and Korg.

Expanded Memory

• ROM Sound Source: 128MB with 1480 waveforms
• Sample Memory: 32MB expandable to 544MB with a single DIMM slot
• User Memory: 32MB of Flash memory for storing samples, patches, performances, and songs
• Expansion Capabilities: Four SRX-series expansion board slots
• PC Card Slot: Supports cards up to 1GB, replacing the Smart Media slot of previous models

Sound Engine

The Fantom X comes loaded with 1024 preset patches (banks A-H, 128 patches each), 256 GM2 presets, 9 GM2 drum kits, and 40 preset drum kits. Users can create 256 of their own patches and 64 multitimbral/layered Performances.

The piano sounds are particularly impressive, featuring an 88-note multisampled acoustic piano with four velocity-switched layers and more than 700 individual stereo samples.

Digital I/O

The Fantom X features true 24-bit S/PDIF digital I/O with both coaxial input and output, addressing a limitation of the previous models.

Interactive Trigger Pads

The 16 backlit trigger pads offer improved sensitivity and can trigger up to four samples in separate velocity zones. They generate polyphonic aftertouch (while the keyboard generates channel aftertouch) and can be used in various ways:

• Triggering percussion or samples
• Playing synth patches and building chords
• Sustaining notes or loops with the Pad Hold function
• Triggering RPS (Realtime Phrase Sequencing) patterns

Versatile USB Connection

The USB connection now operates in either data or MIDI modes, allowing file transfers to and from computers or functioning as a MIDI interface for the supplied Editor and Librarian software.

Performance Features

• Piano Mode: Provides direct access to acoustic and electric piano sounds
• Live Setting: A system for registering up to 20 banks of 16 patch/rhythm combinations, ideal for live performances
• Chord Memory: 64 preset and 64 user-programmable chords with strum capabilities
• Realtime Time-stretch: Allows tempo-syncing of sampled loops without affecting pitch

Effects

• 78 multi-effects (MFX)
• 3 chorus types
• 5 reverb types
• 6 input effects
• 3-band mastering compressor

Sequencer

The 16-track sequencer offers capacity for 400,000 notes with a single song in memory at once. Up to 256 songs can be saved to PC Card or user memory, with a Quick Play function for direct playback.

Conclusion

The Roland Fantom X has evolved into a well-specified workstation with enough individuality to distinguish itself from its major competitors. Its interactive pads offer performing musicians extra creative possibilities, and the color screen enhances the overall user experience. While not revolutionary in every aspect, it offers a compelling package for keyboard players seeking a powerful all-in-one music production solution.

Technical Specifications

• Type: Synthesizer Keyboard (Conforms to General MIDI 2 System)
• Keyboard: 61 keys (with velocity and channel aftertouch)
• Display: Graphic 320 x 240 dots backlit LCD (Color)

Sound Generator Section

• Maximum Polyphony: 128 voices (shared with the sampling section)
• Parts: 16 parts
• Wave Memory: 128 MB (16-bit linear equivalent)
• Waveforms: 1,480

Memory Capacity

• Preset Memory:
  • Patches: 1,024 + 256 (GM2)
  • Rhythm Sets: 40 + 9 (GM2)
  • Performances: 64
• User Memory:
  • Patches: 256
  • Rhythm Sets: 32
  • Performances: 64
• Card Memory (PC card):
  • Patches: 256
  • Rhythm Sets: 32
  • Performances: 64

Effects

• Multi-Effects: 3 systems, 78 types
• Chorus: 3 types
• Reverb: 5 types
• Input Effects: 6 types
• Mastering Effects: 3-band compressor

Sampling Section

• Data Format: 16-bit linear (File Type: .WAV/.AIFF)
• Sampling Frequency: 44.1 kHz (fixed)
• Maximum Sampling Time:
  • With standard memory (32 MB): mono: 360 sec. approx., stereo: 180 sec. approx.
  • With expanded memory (544 MB): mono: 108 min. approx., stereo: 54 min. approx.
• Number of Samples:
  • User memory: 2,000 (maximum total approximately 32 MB)
  • Card memory: 7,000 (PC card)

Sequencer Section

• Tracks:
  • Phrase tracks (16 MIDI channels per track): 16
  • Tempo track: 1
  • Beat track: 1
• Patterns: 100
• Resolution: 480 TPQN
• Tempo: 5–300
• Note Capacity: approx. 400,000 notes
• Song Length: 9,998 measures
• Recording Methods: Realtime recording, Step recording

Additional Features

• Arpeggio: Preset: 128, User: 128
• Rhythm Pattern: Preset: 256 (32 groups), User: 256 (32 groups)
• Chord Memory: Preset: 64, User: 64
• Pads: 16 pads, Velocity and Aftertouch sensitive

Controllers

• Pitch Bend/Modulation Lever
• Control Knob x 4
• Assignable Switch x 2
• D Beam Controller

Connectors

• Headphones Jack
• A (MIX) Output Jacks (L/MONO, R): 1/4 inch TRS phone type
• B Output Jacks (L, R): 1/4 inch phone type
• Input Jacks (L/MONO/MIC, R): 1/4 inch phone type
• Hold Pedal Jack (Half Pedal recognition)
• Control Pedal Jack (assignable)
• MIDI Connectors (IN, OUT, THRU)
• USB Connector (supports file transfer (mass storage class) and MIDI)
• Digital Audio Interface (COAXIAL INPUT/OUTPUT)
• AC Inlet

Expansion Slots

• Sound Generator Expansion: SRX expansion boards: 4 slots
• Sampling Memory Expansion: DIMM: 1 slot (supports 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB (3.3 V))
• External Storage: PC card: 1 slot (supports SmartMedia and CompactFlash using a PC card adapter)

Power

• Power Supply: AC 117 V, AC 230 V, AC 240 V (50/60 Hz), AC 220 V (60 Hz)
• Power Consumption: 17 W

Physical Specifications

• Dimensions: 1,050 (W) x 358 (D) x 125 (H) mm
• Weight: 12.5 kg / 27 lbs 9 oz

Factory Accessories

• Owner's Manual
• Sample Data (Audio) CD
• CD-ROM (Editor, USB MIDI driver)
• Sticker
• PC Card Protector
• Power Cord

Options

• Wave Expansion Board: SRX Series
• Keyboard Stand: [X6] [X7] KS-12 / [X8] KS-17
• Pedal Switch: DP series
• Foot Switch: BOSS FS-5U
• Expression Pedal: EV-5

Tags: digital synthesizer