NEW! Fantom EX Upgrade - All the Details, Upgrade Process and Playing the New Scenes

Roland just dropped the HUGE Fantom EX upgrade for the flagship Fantom synthesizers. In this video I talk about what's included, upgrade my Fantom 6, then demonstrate all the new scenes and their associated engines.
As a couple of you have noted, the SH-101 expansion does not show up after installing the EX upgrade - that's because Roland held it back from the initial release. They say it will be made available to all EX purchasers later next month.
UPDATE Roland has heard the outrage from owners of Fantom who already purchased n/zyme: they will be sending an email to n/zyme purchasers containing a discount code that can be applied to Fantom EX. If you haven't already bought EX, hold off until you get that discount code!
Roland Fantom-6: amzn.to/3MxNm9w
Roland Fantom-7: amzn.to/47mHSGJ
Roland Fantom-8: amzn.to/463M0dF
My keyboard Z stand: amzn.to/3Ix5xuF
Z stand extra tier: amzn.to/3XtVpa6
My keyboard A frames: amzn.to/3YwAPav
My silver keyboard covers: amzn.to/40VySFx
My black keyboard covers: amzn.to/3Gt5oXz
0:00 Intro
1:13 What's Included?
3:52 Upgrade Caveat
4:51 Upgrade Process
7:32 Installing the EX Upgrade
8:16 Playing the New Scenes
15:58 Summary
#Roland #FantomEX

[@stuartcrossen2723]

I really think that upgrades should stay with the synth.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

As a couple of you have noted, the SH-101 expansion does not show up after installing the EX upgrade - that's because Roland held it back from the initial release. They say it will be made available to all EX purchasers later next month. *UPDATE* Roland has heard the outrage from owners of Fantom who already purchased n/zyme: they will be sending an email to n/zyme purchasers containing a discount code that can be applied to Fantom EX. If you haven't already bought EX, hold off until you get that discount code!

[@CreativeBoxx]

Lets cross the finger... Just purchased n/zyme 20 days back :(

[@Agoraphobia2day333]

Always look forward to your reviews and breakdowns of what you can do with gear

[@RoyMaya]

Yeah, they're charging but I feel it's a great price for what you're getting. Plus, it keeps the Fantom alive and hopefully spurs additional updates.

[@xp50player]

Roland has given a lot away for free on the Fantom: 15 PCM expansions, the first 50 tone bank expansions, updates including user sampling, tonewheel engine, SN acoustic sounds, the vocoder, the analog ABM expansions.

[@Somanybeats]

Its cool but sounds like the sounds that's already in the synth after downloading the free expansions. I think I'm good but I'm glad you guys love it

[@ndenkha]

Thanks for the video Scott, looking forward to more of the EX videos, I'd like to learn more about it before buying it.

[@rudi6127]

I can’t believe Roland hasn’t provided a software editor for the Fantom, it would be really helpful. The synth is awesome.

[@valuemastery]

Roland should PAY us to go through that update process. Now I've already paid for N-zyme, plus the German Grand on my RD-2000, plus I have the System-8. This makes paying again for the ever-same Roland stuff not look very attractive. Especially now that the Montage M is out.

[@TheBebe666]

And of top of everything in Germany cost a bit more. I have almost all new Roland´s but , what the hell...i have just made the upgrade. Crazy ...but..

[@mattsynth]

I believe you may have got screwed, sorry. I have no idea why Roland keeps doing this to their customers, it is definitely not good for business.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Roland has heard the outrage from owners of Fantom who already purchased n/zyme: they will be sending an email to n/zyme purchasers containing a discount code that can be applied to Fantom EX. If you haven't already bought EX, hold off until you get that discount code!

[@valuemastery]

@@ScottsSynthStuff Thanks Scott, that's very good information. Looking forward to that discount.

[@OswaldoVonSchnoobenstein]

Wow. I like the upgrade process for what I have. Deepmind 12=Easy! Hydrasynth=Easy! Montage=Easy! I never heard of such an archaic update process for a synth. That's nuts.

[@jamesdefrancesco7765]

It sounds like a real pain to go through all the upgrades. You put left foot in, you take your left foot out. You do the Roland Hokey-pokey and you shake it all about.

[@joonglegamer9898]

The interesting question is whether Roland will sell their existing Roland Fantom with the upgrade or sell the EX upgrade separately.

[@Zwopper]

I don't know what it is, but the Zencore engine has always sounded "cardboardy" to me. There something fake about every sound it makes. And I am a big friend of digital, so it's not that. In a way I'm glad though, because of Rolands seemingly rediculus license policies. The Kronos and the Montage sounds so much more vivid and alive, at least to my ears. 🤷

[@dnalyen]

I agree!!

[@biggrime]

Wished korg updated their true flagship kronos. I know it's a pipe dream

[@lessamuelson]

great demo. I would love to see the Jupiter 8 demo. from opening it, tweeking it, and basic uses as I''m a novice in a cover band. Just subscribed to your page.

[@valleyken]

- I upgraded to Cubase 13 Pro. So far no freezes during startup, which is such a joy after all the troubles I had with the previous version. Haven't checked out the new features yet.

[@Rafael-Vdmqd]

Thank you Scott

[@andrewmountainpike8264]

Your so right about the update process the cloud is much the same.

[@XxChrisxXBedofRazors]

They might as well add the JP-8 ACB model to Jupiter-X! Plus, while they're at it... I really do hope they still make a Jupiter-6 expansion. Just imagine all the controls of the ACB Jupiters at your hands 👁👄👁

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

It really depends on whether or not the Jupiter-X and Juno-X have enough BMC chips in them to be able to run ACB models.

[@XxChrisxXBedofRazors]

Hopefully at least one or two can make it in if it's near tight. Someone out there should do a Jupiter-X / Juno-X teardown and see if there's enough. I'd hate to make a decision at some point selling my JP-X to get a Fantom. They've literally got everything now. Especially that N/ Zyme expansion.

[@Jason75913]

​@@ScottsSynthStuff they do have much less BMC chips

[@sonic2000gr]

I definitely like what I hear! I won't comment on the archaic update methods :D

[@digitaldiezel5870]

WOW! Roland!❤ this is great!! This is no different from dropping $$$ on an Ableton upgrade. I’m all for it. Hopefully they will have a firmware update like this for the Jupiter X and Juno X. But if not I’m still very happy with Rolands efforts here.

[@vanessajazp6341]

Fantom sounds are great. The option of having a Jupiter 8 onboard is REALLY enticing. But as the owner of a Hydrasynth Deluxe and a Montage M8x, there's really nothing about the Fantom that makes it a better option than what I already have. That upgrade process sounds insanely bad. What is Roland thinking? Are they TRYING to kill their brand??? Meanwhile, Yamaha is giving Montage M owners a FREE plug-in version of the Montage.

[@gretareinarsson7461]

I love my Fantom❤️

[@souldom99]

The FA series got so many free expansions, Roland are just shipping software in different hardware controllers and I like Roland.

[@IamCarlFree]

I upgraded last night! I really just wanted the JD800 Model and was salty it was only made for the Jupiter and Jupiter Xm. I'm satisfied with the EX upgrade. There's 128 patches. 64 seem to be the original and the other 64 are not the same ones that are included in JD 800 software synthesizer. This is quite interesting. The updating part is a pain but once it's done it's done.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I checked, and the original 64 are the factory JD-800 patches. The second 64 might be one of the expansion cards....I have one expansion card set for my JD-800, the "Drums & Percussion Dance" and the Fantom sounds are definitely not those.

[@Somanybeats]

That is the one I'm most interested in too

[@TechM3X]

If they rolled out a similar expansion for the Jupiter X (which they damn well should), that would be dope as hell!

[@JeffPalmer83]

I'd be curious to know how these new models impact the overall polyphony. Like, if you are using the Jupiter-8 ACB, how many notes can you play? And what does it do to the polyphony of, say, a Zen-Core tone?

[@paulmapp8306]

ACB is an 8 voice synth BUT its a DEDICATED 8 voice synth (zone 1 only - uses the BCM chip the V-=Piano uses so its VPiano OR ACB, both of whos polyphony is dedicated) - so has no effect of other sounds polyphony.

[@revp01]

Thanks Scott. As always, your thoroughness & clarity is welcomed and very much appreciated. I have never really liked Roland’s update processes. Feels a lot like a windows 95 update. Endless cycles of separate installs with multiple power downs. Ugh. 1 additional question, will the features of Fantom 3.02 still work after EX is installed?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

@revp01 The changes in 3.02 are included in the EX upgrade.

[@user-ni3is9jf1d]

Thx Scott for sharing your experience. Does this upgrade make Jupiter x obsolete? I have been thinking of adding Jupiter x to my fantom.

[@Somanybeats]

I'd be more interested in an update on workflow. I feel like doing some things can be redundant like having to go into extra menus to delete patterns, connecting a mouse would be so awesome, and just a few quality of life changes. It's good they are still working on it though

[@thekingjoshow]

Does this upgrade help with Polyphony issues?!

[@kevrenshaw6177]

Hi Scott. Not sure if you remember the Super Jupiter JX10 ?. I had one for a short while and one of its best features was "Key Follow" so say you midi the JX up with a RD piano and played a note on the piano, the JX10 would play a delay like sound called key follow. My question is does the Fantom have such a feature ?

[@doordedeur]

The Montage M is in many ways better, but I just bought the Fantom before the M came out, and I can't keep switching. Let's hope Roland will keep the Fantom alive. My wish would be an XV-5080 engine. The cheaper Rolands with a Zen Core enginge have it, so why doesn't have the Fantom it too?.

[@djjas764]

Now which one is better .. Montage m or fantom, better buy?

[@springkordz]

Hi Scott, would you be willing to do a video compare between the montage m and the fantom ex? I had a nodx and I sold it but I miss some of the sounds so I am debating if I should buy a montage m or a fantom ex. I would love to learn more and they both compare

[@DG-ss1gc]

This reminds me I need to cancel my Roland cloud subscription. I had a lot of fun using it. But I’ve very much cooled off on the novelty of the ACB and plug out concept. I’d probably own a system 8 and Gaia 2 , but my setup is too crowded and I’m trying to keep everything reasonable for going on a tour.

[@geoffk777]

If you haven't done it yet, you should upgrade your Fantom OS to 3.02, which they just released. It doesn't introduce a lot of new features, but it does introduce a new parameter for how hard you have to push for aftertouch. So you no longer need to push your keyboard through the floor to make it work. I'm a bit peeved, because I already bought N/Zyme. It is worth what I paid for it, but now Roland is basically bundling it for free with something else that I need to buy. Will I get any credit for having bought a lifetime key already? Probably not... It's easy to be pissed at Roland for nickle and dimeing you. But they just provided two new engines for your existing workstation for $200. Yamaha made you buy a whole new keyboard and probably cost you 10 times that much to do the swap (depending on what you sold your old Montage for).

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

This upgrade supercedes the 3.02 OS update. You can't apply 3.02 after upgrading to EX.

[@geoffk777]

@@ScottsSynthStuff Well, that's a bummer. Does EX still give you the aftertouch adjustment parameter? I wouldn't skip EX for it, but I'd miss it.

[@daslimman512]

Based on what you get, I think it's worth it. It's $150 just for the German grand for the RD2000

[@paulmapp8306]

And I HAVE the GG for my RD2000. thats worth 150 on its own IMO (IF your a pianist or piano centric player). the JD800 update for the JX is $150 on its own too, as is NZYME - sao thats $450 worth of content on there own for $200 (whether you agree that the individual engines are worth 150 each or not is kind of mute for this discussion)

[@antsmith739]

Would have to disagree about the individual $150 cost being a moot point. Not questioning it is what makes it seem like good value to pay for a software update when you've already paid a phenomenal amount for a fantom. What is a software piano worth really? $25? $99? $125? How does it compare in relation to something like Arturia's V Collection?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I was unimpressed with the original V-piano in the Fantom, but the German piano (which I assume is code for "C.Bechstein piano") to me sounds AMAZING.

[@METAMORA6329]

Do you know if the upgrade is also for the Jupiter X and Juno X? Thanks for the information!

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

No, this is definitely just for the Fantom.

[@METAMORA6329]

@@ScottsSynthStuff I suspected it . Thank you very much 😊

[@pedrogomis]

They try you to buy all System 8, Juno X, Jupiter X and Fantom. You don't have Juno 60 ACB in Fantom for example...

[@digitalperfomer7]

I agree with you Scott, Roland should find a clever and more intuitive way to upgrade its products, in particular such expensive workstations.

[@nigelcassidy9880]

Hi Scott, do you think the ACB plug outs will make it into any other Roland synths current or future?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Probably not...it takes a lot of processing horsepower (in terms of number of BMC chips) to do it, so unless those synths have a lot of those (expensive) BMC chips in them already, then it's unlikely.

[@park171]

I think this could be the last update. I suspect a new updated line of “ex” branded models in both “O” series and possible Fantom re branded too. This will provide Roland with a 2 year winds to release new hardware that will be capable of housing the next chapter of Zen Core.the next story would be adding future upgrade like the V Synth and Fantom X, D50 and so one. I’m okay with that. And more sample drive capacity.

[@user-pi2qd5zr8b]

IMHO gave us quite a few free upgrades initially so the $199 fee is more than justified seeing it adds the n/zyme in there too. However agree for those that bought that expansion Roland would be wise to offer a discount. Not doing so risks users putting off their upgrade path which will bite Roland back in return. Really Roland need to consider their cross profuct strategy more carefully. Much rather have this model than that chosen with the Montage and Nautilus, as with both now face a far more costly upgrade to get the new features. So will be upgrading my Fantom as soon as funds available.

[@doordedeur]

I don't see the need for Nzyme sounds in my music. The JD-800 engine is great, SH-101 sounds I don't use. The Fantom already has thousands of lead and bass sounds, of which choosing takes longer than a week time. The Jupiters is great, but there's already a free Jupiter expansion. The audience won't hear the difference in details. The German grand is great, but it's just a variation on the already great V-Piano. If I would buy the EX-expansion, it would be for the JD-800 sounds and the German grand. But given the price and the hussle, I rather wait on a update that will be more easy to install.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I spent some time this evening comparing the JD-800 expansion to my actual JD-800, and it sounds identical to my ears. The SH-101 I find I actually use more than I thought I would (although I have the real thing and use it mostly) - mainly because of its squelchy filter. I was unimpressed with the original V-piano in the Fantom, but the German piano (which I assume is code for "C.Bechstein piano") to me sounds AMAZING.

[@djkanyon]

Can you imagine Windows update that you have to pay for everytime? Wow Roland. Wow. Don't get me wrong - upgrade system is awesome but for smaller synth. It would be cool to upgrade your old Gaia or let's say 707... but Fantom is so powerful that you basically already have this sounds inside the box, you just have to work with the settings a little bit. Let's hope this upgrade system will save olden Roland gear?...

[@MichaelNazareth]

Will the new ones come preloaded with EX?

[@scott21113]

Scott - any chance there is a new Fantom or Fantom -0X firmware upgrade? Some retailers seem to be offering discounts of around 17% or so right now on the full feature Fantom and big discounts >20% on the Fantom-0X series. I'm still waiting for Yamaha to confirm for sure the MODX+ isn't getting the AN engine function. That would suck to wait on that. I have a Fantom -07 and would like to be able to use ACB if I pay $$$ for it. Thank you.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I would be extremely surprised if Fantom-0 has the processing power to run ACB. ACB seems to be pretty processor intensive - the System-8 has three BMC chips in it to allow it to do 8 ACB voices. Fantom has four BMC chips, so it can run an 8-voice ACB instance as well as a Zen core or other model expansion. The Fantom-0 has only two BMC chips in it - so I strongly suspect it is not physically capable of running ACB.

[@UFO-Ark]

Scott, I'm thinking of buying a MODX7+ or MODX8+. I'm a synth player so not bothered in having the heavy keys. But would recommend 88keys over 76 ??

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

That's the reason I bought a MODX7, Montage 7 and Montage M7 - I don't like the heavy keys either.

[@UFO-Ark]

​@@ScottsSynthStuff*Do you feel not having the extra keys is noticeably limiting when you play??

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

@@UFO-Ark nope! 61 is not enough for me, but 76 is fine!

[@peterldelong]

Why I no longer purchase Roland products. The last Roland synth I purchased was a System-8, which is great so I hope you watch this channel Roland because you’re in trouble.

[@insomthegreat]

Is the ex upgrade better than the roland SDZ-1-100 Sound pack?

[@khawk2012]

Scott.. I feel like I should do the upgrade but not yet. I see you had to press hard on the keys for the aftertouch. Am still having that same issue even after the previous update. It's better but still very hard on my hands.. does yours do the same? See if you can do the JD review on the Fantom. Great reviews on your channel. Keep up the good work. Cheers.😊

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

The EX upgrade does include the aftertouch sensitivity setting that was released with the 3.02 firmware for the Fantom. The reason I pressed so hard that I actually moved the stand was that the patch I was playing didn't actually have aftertouch mapped to anything! :) But yes, the aftertouch on the Fantom, even when it has been adjusted, is stiffer than on other synths.

[@khawk2012]

@@ScottsSynthStuff I wonder if I can fix it...

[@mastermachetier5594]

Man Roland is a company that loves to make me sad. Never release hardware with what you actually want. Charges for every little feature. Roland is the epitome of resting on your laurels .

[@defenderstargate1447]

Ridiculous. They could have just come out with new hardware and we would have had to sell our boards and buy new ones to get these features. They have very substantially updated the Fantom and not abandoned it, and held true to the promise of the instrument. And yes that cost some money, but it is very fair for what you get. Listening to videos the expansions sound great.

[@Simbor-rh1dj]

Mastermachetier is complaining about Roland giving a new synth with acb for 200 dollars instead of forcing you to sell your old hardware at a loss and buy a new one for 4 grant plus. Have you even see how access virus idiots abandoned all support for the synth and is still selling it shamelessly? Nobody complains about that.

[@mastermachetier5594]

@@Simbor-rh1dj 😂

[@pierreparadis9626]

Hi. I have a question about that upgrade. How much of the internal memory does it take? With all the free expansion downloaded, there is only 484 MB left of internal memory out of 2 GB. Thank you!

[@CedricSatterfield]

I had all the original expansions installed and no enzyme. I downloaded and installed the update with no space issues. I think I went from around 70% (or so) to 79% (or so)

[@pierreparadis9626]

Thanks That is great news!

[@SunlightOfTheSpirit]

Hey, how many new scenes are there? I might have to free some up, yikes

[@nigelfairchild5820]

With ACB engine now, will Jupiter 4, or other ACB expansions be coming?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I can't imagine that they won't be - Roland wants to keep milking that cow until the very last drop...(i.e. they won't be free!)

[@productamadeus8745]

Ha! Scott keeps his foot on Rolands Neck! Good upgrade from Roland though. It's a TOUGH choice between this and the new Montage M. I have an Integra and it's not that great. I have a bias now.

[@vincentsuazo3499]

This is what’s I being complain about . You are right.

[@SaifSameer]

Really appreciate the efforts to create this video on time. A question: Do we need to keep syncing the license with Roland Cloud in order to keep it functional? Or it is just buy the update, install, play & that's it? Thanks Scott ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

No, that is a new "feature" that Roland has added for some of its new synths, like the GAIA 2. For now, at least, once you've installed the upgrades and expansions in the Fantom, they stay there and continue to work, without getting online permission from Roland.

[@DrGargani]

I have a very important question: eventually, Roland might get back to putting out minor updates that do not cost any money, however: will one NOT be able to load these unless they have already loaded ( and paid for!), the EX update???

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Entirely possible - the EX is a "fork" - so updates for the original Fantom won't work on the EX-updated Fantom, and vice versa.

[@DrGargani]

@@ScottsSynthStuff and it that's the case, then they are forcing you to spend the extra 200 dollars....

[@U2360TO]

Cubase? ha ha the new Montage M made Roland's marketing team nervous. They did a fantastic job in only 3 weeks!

[@michaelantrum3088]

If you think Roland knocked up this upgrade in three weeks, then I have a bridge to sell you.....

[@hugoriders]

Has Roland fixed the polyphony issue on this machine? The synths on this was awesome but after using a Kronos don’t wanna go back.

[@doordedeur]

I am selling my Kronos, because it's impossible to operate. Even the most basic things are impossible to operate. I'm not interested in operating complex things such as temperatures and other weird things, the Kronos wants me to control. I want to control zones and chose sounds for them. So I bought a Fantom 7 instead, which is a breeze to operate.

[@anthonyjames7037]

Which Kronos do you have? Kronos , Kronos X or Kronos 2?

[@robskis4boys]

Hey Scott, any chance we can sweet talk ya, since you're a brother Sweetwater fan too, into doing a tutorial on installing our own made up patches via fire stick ??? For example, tracks I've created on Logic Pro. Plz Plz btw I have a Modx8. Many thanks, you have a great style. Peace

[@wilkopiano]

The hardware expansion files are tiny about 300Kb so what does that tell you? The sound source is already in the hardware chips. A file just unlocks it, just like paying £500 for the heated seats to work in your car

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

300K is a fair amount of code to run custom ASIC functionality. It's not like there's samples in there. The hardware chips run pseudocode, but the expansions are definitely not in there to begin with.

[@MarkWRoberts]

So this will be a little long... but I had the opportunity a little over a year ago at Synthplex to get a one on one session with Roland specialist Scott Berry. He gave me a great demo on the Roland Fantom 8. (I was on the fence on buying the Fantom 8 or the Montage 8)... and I have been following your video's when we were all "guessing" if Yamaha would announce anything at NAMM... remember that? Anyway, moving forward... I was put off even then to learn I'd have to join "Roland's Cloud" to get any of the added plugin's and extras as well as they were going to cost me additional funds... very disappointing indeed. again, I held off... and waited as we all did for NAMM... and blah... huge let down from Yamaha... no new Montage announcement, and even a rather dismal showing to boot. Moving on, still I waited....... then you got wind of a "possible" announcement of the "Yamaha Montage M" long awaited new product... and as soon as I could get one, I snapped it up! I now, finally.... after waiting have a new Montage M8x !!! I couldn't be happier, and this announcement has confirmed for me yet again, that sadly... "Roland" has lost touch with "how" to really treat your customer database....... I used to own an original Jupiter-8, toured with it... loved that synth, and regret to this day, selling it... but it's gone, but just like what AVID did to it's ProTools users, and finally realized their mistakes, and brought back the perpetual licensing, with the internet as vast as it is, and information gets out at an instantaneous rate... these big companies are going to lose out on their true original customers if they continue to treat us poorly in the name of the all mighty dollar... Waves just got spanked as well... trying to go to a subscription only, and alienate their long time user database as well... that also backfired! I hope Roland is listening, .....but alas, they've already lost my business, Yamaha just got a nice chunk of change from me.... I'll be happy with my Arturia Jup-8v3... Thanks for the vid's Scott, much appreciated, and you've helped me along the way with making well thought out and educated decisions on a big financial purchase... so cheers, and sorry this was so long winded... but I felt it needed to be said...

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

If there's anything that frustrates me with the Fantom at this point, it's looking at my Fantom, with its Juno 106, SH-101 and JD-800 emulations...then looking over at my Juno 106, SH-101 and JD-800. I find that while the Fantom does produce almost unmistakable emulations of those classic synths...I'd still rather just use the original, actual synth.

[@MarkWRoberts]

Oh yeah, especially if you have a nice JD-800 minus the "red glue" issues! I agree 1000% @@ScottsSynthStuff

[@givanedwards1043]

Hey Scott when do we get it on the fantom 0 series?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I doubt it will come to Fantom-0 - I don't think it has enough BMC chips inside of it to support a lot of those features, especially ACB and n/zyme.

[@givanedwards1043]

@@ScottsSynthStuff ahhh am gutted to hear that

[@calote]

Hi, can i buy the expansion, install it and use it, some time from now i made a mess and need to reset the Fantom, can i reinstall it again? Thanks, great video

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Yes, it is keyed to your Roland Cloud account as well as your specific Fantom synth, you can wipe the Fantom and reinstall it anytime you like.

[@jamescriss6440]

Once you install the EX expansion, it is permanent. Hitting the reset will bring it back to the original EX expansion parameters. There will be no need to reinstall.

[@TechM3X]

One other point: the existence of this expansion confirms that Zen Core Hardware like the Jupiter X/Juno X can be programmed to to host ACB Models and if that's the case, I would be more than estatic to be able to have both Zen Core/ACB models available even if it meant that the hardware could only host one ACB model at any given time as just one ACB model of say the Jupiter 8 or Juno 106 could go a very long way in delivering the sounds I want. But if the Zen Core hardware can host mutiple Zen Core/ACB Models then that's the future I'm looking forward to.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

The chips inside that power the Fantom are the same BMC chips used in the Jupiter X, Juno X and System-8.

[@TechM3X]

@@ScottsSynthStuff YES!!! Come on Roland! Let's goooooo . . . . .

[@yohaneswortham9056]

When they drop the next Fantom hopefully they will correct that lengthy Firmware update & finally add Poly After touch & MPE & all or most of these sounds from this update..

[@Venatt1]

I will definitely stay away from Roland’s new stuff even though I’m in love with my D50 and JV1080.

[@paxwallace8324]

We all know its got great sounds so does Yamaha etc so what. I want to see it in action as a multi track studio and composers best friend. I don't know how long I can stay with it here.

[@wilkopiano]

I thought expansions on fantom (none O series) were free with roland cloud subscribers!

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

They were...until Roland decided that they weren't anymore. :)

[@slimshekar]

I like your longer hair!! Scott, how does one get in touch with you?

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

wow, a positive hair comment for a change! You just did! :)

[@Wainster]

It seems Roland are maybe selling less and less hardware like it used to. Unlike most other manufacturers who offer new synth engine and expand features, Roland just want to cash grab. I seriously would just rather spend like £2,300 on an Iridium and get free features. Year on year, IMHO, Roland just offer less and value in the synths sadly. It's nice to get an update for existing users for sure tho...

[@Jason75913]

Year after year, inflation increases, too.

[@littlefrog726]

What if I just got those upgrade files from someone else and even don't have a Cloud account? It seems that the whole update process is just like you upgrade your PC with a PE system thumb drive, and nothing related to account verify or serial code blahblah...

[@OlavSFlaa]

The expansions are locked to the synths serial number which is somehow programmed into the main board

[@williamshaneblyth]

dang i wish they had an 0 update too obviously not all these features

[@aaronjimenez6859]

I’ll stick with my Fantom X7, the old keyboards got a special touch to them.

[@Distortic]

If you dont have other purchases tied to your roland account, reset your password to something And sell your account with the synth.

[@ellekappa5692]

Hello, is there anyone who can explain to me how to assign the pitch bend lever to my Fantom? I've tried them all, but the lever doesn't respond. 😑😑

[@jamescriss6440]

Hold down the SHIFT button, then move the pitch bend lever. All of the options will come up. This works with almost all of the knobs, faders and switches.

[@kierenmoore3236]

Nah, I can live without modern Roland’s shenanigans … I consciously gave up on abusive relationships, long ago … Maybe Roland will learn its lessons/maybe it won’t … either way, I’ll respond/sit on my hands, accordingly …

[@ChrisPBacon3000]

Roland has learned that the brand-worshipping gullible casuals will continue to support horrible sounding, underpowered Roland products. Not only that, but the expansions are worth $0 when selling. The seller loses everything and just throws the money away.

[@normannormannormannormannorman]

Roland Fantom 6 EX 3999€ Roland Fantom 6 2699€ + EX Update 220€

[@patrickfrancis7547]

ITS A SHAME ROLAND EXPANSION Is a Mountain to Climb ! If your PC is older Don't Bother / Roland Cloud Manager Blocks the Update / " Already have Version of Cloud Manager which road blocks even getting the upgrade . Never have this Issue with Akai

[@TimmyTheSnail]

Still no integrated FL studio control 💔

[@Somanybeats]

This is what we really need

[@CARLTONMOXLEYUnknownpianist]

I was ready to do everything watching a Adidas on Roland I'mvideo and he forgot a whole section of where to find the fil give him a comment es. You just gave me more information than he did. I hate that.

[@qtipcore]

A complete Linux OS upgrade without internet access will be like that - Regardless of type of system. Kronos\Nautilus will be no different. Resistance is futile… 🎉🎉

[@antsmith739]

We're going to sell you the right to buy more of our software.

[@wilkopiano]

$169 per expansion and (there are 4 of em) on fantom 0 series doesn’t come with a lot. Not good value at all.

[@zxkevin57]

And if you paid for enzyme already you got cheated out of 50 bucks,not a good deal for being a loyal customer Roland,if you got enzyme already your EX upgrade should be 50 bucks,if it's about making money 149.00 for enzyme upgrade and 100.00 for EX upgrade for all,that's fair or 149.00 discount if you have enzyme already that's fair.

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

n/zyme owners have been emailed a discount code that allows them to buy the EX upgrade for $99. Those n/zyme owners who already bought the EX upgrade at full price are getting a $100 refund from Roland.

[@CARLTONMOXLEYUnknownpianist]

I'm gonna comment on my own page I don't know how these comments got here, but I think these are Adidas comments

[@CARLTONMOXLEYUnknownpianist]

They have the upgrade for the O Series they do have it for the small one. I talked to Sweetwater today.

[@MJamesIII]

that is not true. you received bad information.

[@mattsynth]

Roland sure knows how to piss off their customers again and again. After shelling out $3K for this synth they continue to rape customers for upgrades. The best part of this upgrade is that you do not have to buy it. How about giving us "user preset memory for effects" something that will help us work faster? BTW great video, thanks.

[@TeleporterM11]

I ain’t doing the update. It sounds buggy and ghastly. I would rather buy a new fully loaded keyboard.

[@TeleporterM11]

Did anyone have problems doing it.

[@Bashanvibe]

As much as I love Roland and the flagship Fantom I will still buy the upgrade but they need to do something about that we are in hard times right now!!! Ijs🤷🏽‍♂️

[@zxkevin57]

What if you paid for enzyme update 149.00 I have to pay another 199.00 for what I already have 🤬🤬🤬 Gordon Gecko said it best (Greed)!

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

Roland has heard the outrage from owners of Fantom who already purchased n/zyme: they will be sending an email to n/zyme purchasers containing a discount code that can be applied to Fantom EX. If you haven't already bought EX, hold off until you get that discount code!

[@muzikman2008]

And that's why I don't buy Roland gear anymore. Charging for updates, stopped buying after my TR8.. Rip off.

[@klstay]

Roland laughs all the way to the bank with every dime they are able to squeeze out of their customers. Pretty much ZERO innovation in decades. At the same time, if the feature set fits with your workflow and budget for whichever of their offerings then there is certainly nothing wrong with that IMHO...

[@wilkopiano]

Its not free! Phfffft! They are getting very greedy!

[@WayneMusicianUK]

Doesn’t matter how many expansions they add, I didn’t buy a New Fantom because of its pathetic polyphony issue, layer a few sounds together and use sustain pedal, notes cut out… flagship keyboard? It’s a DISGRACE!

[@ElectricEddieDaus]

So you buy it, but you don't own the EX upgrade....Dumb....Maybe time to Boycott Roland...LMO....

[@mohitpanchalkeyboardist7838]

Very bad workstation synthesizer Please don't Purchase

[@Kinnor.Home.Studios]

I don't like Roland.