Building a Song on the Fantom-0: Start to Finish

I recorded this session to show the process I take in recording a song for my set list on the Fantom-06. The song I recorded tracks for was "Always on My Mind" as recorded by Willie Nelson in the key of D major. The general process is a fairly straightforward one, intro, verse, chorus, interlude and ending etc. This process will be very similar from song to song - no matter what song you're sequencing. Hope this helps someone understand the process and be able to start recording your own. Any questions? put them in the comment section below - thanks and enjoy!
PS, funny I got a copyright notice from KZbin about the section where I sing the song from some German website... but it then says "no restrictions" isn't that strange?
BTW this song was written by Songwriters: John Jr. Christopher / Mark James / Wayne Carson Thompson
I did get a notice from KZbin about "Copyright issue" - but it use in the video was approved. They didn't however mention who wrote the song - interesting enough, it was a recording company in Germany that flagged the songs use in my video!
Links for recording/music/audio gear I use:
Tascam Dp-24sd: amzn.to/46PR4TX
Korg Kronos2: (discontinued, however you can find some used models being sold through other outlets such as Guitar Center or Reverb Music)
Roland Fantom O6: amzn.to/49iui8U
M-Audio BX5 Studio Monitors: amzn.to/47gnCqh
Koss Headphones: amzn.to/3tNZ8WK
AT2020 Condenser Mic: amzn.to/46SBx67
DF
#rolandfantom #rolandkeyboards #rolandsynth

[@NostalKeys]

This video made me cry for two reasons: 1. The song itself; 2. I finally found someone who shows, in a very simple way, how to do Grouping and creating a full song on Fantom/Fantom-0. Thank you very much!

[@DigitalDoxology]

You're welcome - glad you enjoyed it!

[@NostalKeys]

@@DigitalDoxology I really did. 🤜🤛

[@reinhardtilker8552]

That was the first song I ever played in front of an audience, almost 50 years ago at a school party. Thanks for the warm memory and greetings from Germany. 🤩

[@DigitalDoxology]

Thanks for listening

[@calimaiden]

i finally figured out how to use this sequencer. thank you for your time, patience and work.

[@DigitalDoxology]

You’re welcome, glad you found it helpful!

[@ricren4396]

wow ihave my new fantom 06 and this helps so much.. thanks.

[@donald2117]

I got just what I needed at the 15 minute mark. How to save a scene! 🎉Thank you! 👏👏👏With all this thing can do, this most basic thing is overlooked in the manual.

[@lemonster1]

Well done 👏

[@DrGargani]

when recording a "real" song, like this one, the best approach is a linear style which is what you have used in this video....I have a Fantom, and I eventually plan to use it as my Master Keyboard in my MIDI studio, however, currently I am spoiled by the fact that my venerable MOTIF has SIXTEEN sections (!), meaning, not just A-H, but A-P.......double that of the Fantom. Now, you could get around that by combining certain things, such as you have done by making the verse and chorus one section. I might add that the MOTIF also allow me way more than the 64 limit in measures per pattern. Fantom as come a long way, constantly improving their sequencer, and in some ways, it has surpassed the MOTIF in various abilities, but the sequencer still needs a bit more elongation.

[@DigitalDoxology]

I stand corrected! The Songwriters for "Always on My Mind" was not Willie Nelson but rather John Jr. Christopher / Mark James / Wayne Carson Thompson - it was recorded by Willie Nelson (as well as Brenda Lee, Elvis Presley and many others!) just in case someone out there picks up on that (Thanks Dad!) lol!

[@hanswurst2490]

I don't have the Fantom... YET😉 And technical things are missing, what I am interested. BUT... til now the only vid, that proper describes the pre-work... that's, what I do the same. For MODX more important, because we are working with arpeggios and are "blindly" working with the sequencer. It is a pain. Nice overview at the Fantom. And the only vid with a real song. This tiny touchscreen is a real pain!!!

[@DigitalDoxology]

Yes the screen is tiny for sure, It has some really nice qualities that I have always loved in Roland, great, warm, rich sounds that have always been a hallmark for Roland - but the Sequencer is lacking in my opinion (great if you're programming in simple song patterns, otherwise I love it! lol.

[@yongyudhwudhisakchaikul7596]

I like your voice 😁😁

[@MagicRoland]

🎹✨Zasubskybowałem. Przydatny film!✨🎹

[@DigitalDoxology]

Thank you 😊

[@divady9939]

very nice voice

[@DigitalDoxology]

Thanks!

[@prabaldas5313]

Sir, its a verry good Tutorual. Sir, I have fantom 06, I have a doubt, i.e., in verse or in any portion of a song or in any Interlude, how I shall put 2 or 3 variation of rhythm patterns in Rhythm Track, will you please explain.

[@DigitalDoxology]

Create a separate section for the variation, then add it in when you create the song later as a variation, or just create your own pattern all together.

[@harolddasynth795]

Hello sir,first of all,thank you for the tutorial,i just bought the fantom 07 and this video really help me a lot,one question though,if i were to make a medley,let say an EWF songs which i plan to make 3 songs in a medley,is it possible to record one song,save it and work on another song later?meaning i want to do it part by part,thanks

[@DigitalDoxology]

Yes you could do that, but save each part in a different "scene" then copy and paste them together later to make a whole medley. Hope that makes sense.

[@harolddasynth795]

@@DigitalDoxology hello again sir,i am slowly learning the sequencer thru your guide and you made it really simple for us new owners,one question though,is there a possibility to play the previous track that you did (ex piano and drums) while recording the next track?there are songs that the bass line for example will enter in the middle of the verse,kinda like recording a song in your DAW where you can record stuff in the middle of the song while all the tracks are playing in record mode,sorry for the confusion,thanks in advance sir.

[@DigitalDoxology]

@@harolddasynth795 yes, just set a new voice (track) to record - mute the voices you don’t want to hear then start recording, just make sure you’re using a new voice (track) so you don’t erase over the others. You can record up to sixteen different voices or patches I believe they call them. Hope this helps- have fun with it!

[@harolddasynth795]

@@DigitalDoxology hello sir,i was able to build a song finally by following your video,it helped me a lot,now,i am planning to use the songs on a party in december,my question is,since i put the song in a setlist in a scene like you do,how can i play the song and playing with it live at the same time?i made a song How deep is your love from Beegees,i plan to play the sequenced song and want to play at the background,how can i do it?thanks

[@DigitalDoxology]

@ Sounds like you will need to invest in a basic PA system in order to play your music on the keyboard and sing along with the music at the same time. Check out Guitar Center, or Sam Ash etc for a good basic system.

[@squeakD]

Just ordered a Fantom 06 and should have it tomorrow or Tuesday. From what I see the sequencer is only pattern or clipped based. So I would assume if you wanted to write an instrumental composition of a piano, backing strings, ect.., would this require the use of a DAW since the Fantom doesn’t seem to have the ability to do linear recording, or am I missing something.

[@DigitalDoxology]

Yes you are correct, there are some work arounds that one could employ but they are limiting and can be frustrating as well. I have a Kronos that I can simply start the sequencer running, play the piano as I wish for as long as I wish and easily go back then and add strings, bells, percussion etc. as I wish. The navigation on the Fantom O is cumbersome to work with, but you could record something (limited to 64 bars) and then go back and add layers etc. I hope this makes sense, it's great for short pop/techno/edm kinds of music but for other styles forget it (Jazz, contemporary instrumental or classical, etc.) too limiting. Great sounds though!

[@squeakD]

@@DigitalDoxology Thx.., I figured I’d be needing to use a DAW for proper linear recording with it. Never understood why Roland decided to cater specifically to the EDM crowd with the sequencer. 64 measures might cut it for lower tempo songs. In the end it’ll be needing a DAW. Thx for replying.

[@alancummings5651]

Good job

[@DigitalDoxology]

Thank you.

[@thephoenixchant]

I heard in "song mode (at the end right?) You can export the whole MIDI file with no bar limitation. Is that right?

[@DigitalDoxology]

I've heard that - but haven't used it yet since I don't have a need to export the midi file. I suppose that would help out when using a DAW.

[@timtam6369]

Awesome tutorial. I could never quite figure out a workflow for my fantom but this made it look easy. Does the system lack the ability to record vocals? The only features I wish it had out of the box was the ability to sample like the sp404mkii and better synth building capabilities ie with an intuitive ui not menu diving

[@DigitalDoxology]

Thanks! As far I know, it is suppose to have the ability to record (vocals, or sound samples etc) I just haven’t dived into that yet…

[@rodneywood3399]

sorry its six months ago but I know you can record to the sample pads and then import them to the pattern. Have fun its a great toy excepy not being able too activate track 9-16

[@georgeharoldepp]

I presume you did some clip-based recording, but what you did "live" while recording the video was more linear recording, right?

[@DigitalDoxology]

Actually, Roland's sequencer is set up as a pattern based sequencer (or clips of song sections) vs. what I've grown used to in Korg's system which is more "linear based" where you can record a whole song in one single sequence and then go back and edit a section by measure if you wish. This pattern sequencing really drives me nuts - lol, but I am learning to adapt to it.

[@georgeharoldepp]

@@DigitalDoxology I currently own a Korg Krome, and mostly record with my DAW, Logic. I am on the fence between Fantom/Fantom-0 and Korg Nautilus. Are the sounds on Fantom-0 as good as on Korg?

[@DigitalDoxology]

@@georgeharoldepp I can only give you my opinion on this.. I really like Roland and have used many Roland products over the years and they are high quality - but as far as sounds go and what I personally would choose - I "love" my Korg keyboards! (Triton, Krome and Kronos) Now, I haven't tested out the Nautilus - but, if it lives up to namesake I don't see how you could go wrong...IMHO.

[@georgeharoldepp]

@@DigitalDoxology Thank you. I do like Roland Fantom, the ease to create songs and Apple compatibility. Lately, I am leaning to Nautilus or Kronos.

[@freddyperezmusicentertainment]

The nautilus is a beast, kronos

[@IMakeBeats]

It was hard to follow! U didnt show us how u set up the initialized scene, or how you save your patterns or finished song. We see everything u created but not how you created them fully. 🥺

[@DigitalDoxology]

Go to 21:50 and you’ll see how I started setting up the song to play in sequence - save at anytime by pressing the “write” button (red square) maybe next time I’ll find a way to show the entire keyboard and screen at the same time.

[@IMakeBeats]

@@DigitalDoxology Can songs and or patterns be saved to the thumbdrive? or only write to the scenes??

[@rodneywood3399]

@@IMakeBeats if you go to pattern utility and hit export to drive or memory

[@IMakeBeats]

@@rodneywood3399 ya thats what i was looking for! 👍🏾🧨

[@DigitalDoxology]

@@IMakeBeats Sorry I didn't see your question sooner - looks like Rodney helped you out though thanks :) Teamwork! lol.

[@JarreFan73]

Not clear.. good Idea but difficult to understand

[@DigitalDoxology]

Sorry it was unclear - thanks for the feedback.