Roland Fantom-8 vs Yamaha Montage M8X - Which Sounds Better?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I have both: a Fantom 6 EX and a Montage M7 in my studio. For classic pianos - it's the Montage. For pop-cut-through-the-mix pianos, Fantom. Classic 80's synth sounds, Fantom all day long. For sound design, Montage - the Fantom is pretty unfriendly for sound design. For soundtrack/realistic sounds (guitar, strings, horns, etc) it's Montage. I love both (synth action) keybeds, but I like the Fantom keybed just a bit more. Vocoder - Fantom for sure. Samples - Fantom (no pads on the Montage). Sequencer, the TR-Rec sequencer on the Fantom blows away the sequencer in the Montage. User interface - the Montage wins over the confusing, convoluted mess that the Fantom UI has become. So it's tough to pick between the two. Which is why I kept both.

[@Echochamber79]

Love your channel, Scott. I really tried hard to get used to the Fantom's UI, but in the end, I just gave up. The keybed is loud, mainly because it feels a bit shallow and reverberates off the metal body. And of course, there’s the polyphony issue. But as you mentioned, for classic '80s synth sounds, the Fantom is unbeatable!

[@OswaldoVonSchnoobenstein]

Your stable is pretty crazy Scott. That's why I love you, you crazy pilot synth flying bastard.

[@monteiro4100]

​@Echochamber79 coming from a Kurzweil UI I found the Fantom very easy to navigate and well organized 😂. I learned very fast how to get around and build my tones and scenes. Not familiar with the Montage. Kurzweil builds great keyboards but their UI is still stuck in the 90's

[@bobs88s11]

Fantom 8 with the EX upgrade here. I really love the keyboard touch, and after a pretty steep learning curve (coming from the Yamaha world) I've come to appreciate the different way of doing things. Great sound in my opinion. Very happy with it.

[@ZTAudio]

They really are both beautiful sounding in their own ways.

[@jp4751]

Nice video. I think it would be helpful to compare sound to sound, back to back as you go through examples. For example, compare an EP on Montage to EP on Fantom back to back. Also, play the same piece, chord progressions, etc, so that we can hear the Timbre, character, and dynamics of the same song being played on two different brands. Thanks again.

[@mac651000]

I was thinking these same thoughts as I scrolled down and found your comment.

[@mylesandrews2019]

Jack, please put Mike and Dan against each other on these 2 beasts. Throw in a curve ball...let Mike use the Fantom And let Dan use the Montage M🙏🏾

[@scratchanitch]

Check out Rick Beato's interview with Tori Amos...makes sense she would like the firm action of the Montage. We should go and buy more of her albums so she can afford to get that broken key replaced lol.

[@judddredd8617]

Got the Modx6+ with a similar sound engine without the analog and i love it. Had a Fantom 06 and really didnt like it much.

[@shawn_euphony]

Jack plays so well gosh!

[@mavfan1]

Thanks Napoleon

[@Parialated]

Yamaha sounds more round and organic mirroring accoustic and the sounds immediately inspire and gives me ideas...the Roland does sound good but just a bit more synthetic/synthesiser

[@gretareinarsson7461]

I so much totally love my Fantom8❤

[@Bruce.-Wayne]

Me too...😊....mine is doing fine after 7 months of ownership

[@gretareinarsson7461]

@@Bruce.-Wayne we sould form a Fantom Fanclub 😄

[@j0pj0p]

Me too. The action is sublime and the sounds it produces are mind-blowing.

[@jmcoffin1]

I did an extensive comparison of them side-by-side, using the same set of high-quality headphones. To my ears, the Montage M8x was superior in every area: sound, sound design, keyboard feel,user interface, and it has polyphonic aftertouch. At the time, the montage was slightly more expensive, but well worth the difference in cost.

[@revp01]

I haven't bought either yet but I have spent a bit of time on each. I LOVE the pianos & orchestral strings on the Montage but personally prefer the keybed on the Fantom. Hard to beat the Jupiter/Juno style synths, horns, and percussion of the Fantom. While I like the Roland Organs better, I like the wider sliders on the Montage M series. I'd probably get the Fantom 8 & the Montage M7. But, the M8 has the extra aftertouch and MIDI 2.0 features. Hard decision.

[@lamborgoonie]

Awesome videos 🎉

[@Bruce.-Wayne]

I used to have issues with the Fantom 8 piano sounds and found out Roland is using the physical modeling sound method instead of the Sampling method used by Yamaha....I'm ok with Fantom now, I just need to learn how to model my own piano sound now...😊

[@JeffPalmer83]

5:02 that’s the “brake” on the Leslie simulation

[@ianfantomx7]

no it isnt its the simulation of power being turned off whilst holding down some keys on a hammond organ ah la jon lord… its the tone wheels slowing down

[@horvathsandorfarkas4451]

Great video as always. I have the fantom 8ex. Synth, sequencer are great, the pha50 action is solid / accurate (very cool with the german grand f ex) but I am not in love with it. A bit cold, no soul. I rather run Pianoteq or keyscape instead. I am really interested in the gex action of the Montage. I also have the Ns4, different purpose, dig it, but not the fatar action playing piano patches. Clinky a bit. Since years I am searching a board with fantastic keybed for piano patches but also ok with synths / organs. Maybe this montage? Cheers from Hungary.

[@RedMeansRecording]

Neither of these are best. The vongon replay beats them both. Tell the truth.

[@BinauralBae]

Vongon sound flows like poetry

[@err_rawr]

Already turning your back on the osmose 😢

[@BinauralBae]

@@err_rawr never learned to code

[@carltonhall6628]

I have a Fantom 08 (from Andertons), i really wanted the Full Fat Fantom but couldn't justify the extra money. Now i want both these keyboards SO badly! I do love the Fantom though, old skool synth sounds are awesome but i still use a lot of vst's as well - the Fantom makes a giod midi controller too, with a fair few mappable knobs. I've created a DAW control scene to help with that (stolen from another KZbin vid)

[@dbefore7165]

Is the answer C- Kurzweil 2700?

[@michaelasante1498]

If you can stand the interface, then you are making the right choice

[@Berus7777]

You NEVER give us a judgement, Jack. You just dance around and try to promote every product you share with us. You know DAMN well you have a strong opinion here, and you're not giving it.

[@garyking4032]

It's almost as if he works in a music shop...

[@geoffwebber8272]

And if he did, which then resulted in you buying one over the other without doing your own research, and it turned out to be pants. You be most put out. Jacks job is to convey the products in a light hearted entertaining way combined with his high standard of playing ability. Prospective buyers should go to a shop (any shop) and try the goods for themselves.

[@sharingmatters]

What is your bet about his favourite gear? Roland?

[@Predators4U]

I have a MODX plus. Should I get any of these? Is it worth?

[@mylesandrews2019]

I have neither...I've only ever played them when I was I the US earlier this year... where I'm from in the Caribbean doesn't have stores that carry those beasts. Plus I can't afford them😂. If I had to pick, it would be the Montage M8x

[@stevewebb7126]

Nice synths ,out of my price range, unfortunately 😂

[@jamesstyles5415]

Fantom 😮😮😊

[@ADHDville]

I’m a Roland fan boy, so I’m always gonna look past its flaws! 😅

[@tntshuffle-9799]

Fantom, OBX8...done

[@francoischavalle8168]

I can really hardly choose. Can’t afford to get both. Have the Jupiter XM already with all Roland sounds (not to compare of course) but I’m deceived by its ergonomy and complexity of programming. I also have lots of VSTs on my pc (home studio) Looking for a workstation to have a plug and play keyboard.

[@charthers8903]

Lovely romplers

[@dbefore7165]

With synth engines..

[@ursullavandenbord2322]

Génos 2 !

[@luucdentoom6955]

Isn’t that like comparing apples to oranges, though?

[@Echochamber79]

I have the Montage M8X and previously owned the Roland Fantom 7. In my opinion, the pianos on the Montage are in a completely different league compared to the Roland, not to mention the polyphony issues I encountered with the Fantom.

[@MrYuryZ]

In a new editon Fantom EX (RD-2000 EX) the one that in video the main feature is a new piano sound that supposed to be better than on a previous Fantom and RD series. Just an observation, not saying Fantom is better or anything. I actually like both.

[@englishguy9680]

Agreed I’ve owned the RD800 and the Montage 6 and the roland supernatural pianos are good but next to the Yamaha’s there is just no contest

[@larshp99]

my steinway is in a different league. Digital pianos are the sane

[@larshp99]

same

[@codyspate]

First comment!

[@Echochamber79]

😆

[@russ254]

I will teach my children about your magnificent achievement, right after they become fluent in Esperanto.

[@kevinmortimer1883]

needs the nautilus and the latest from kerzweil for a very comprehensive alternative