Roland Fantom EX update - All the new system features

The exciting Fantom EX update from Roland is much more than 'just' the new engines. There are several enhancements to the system and to usability.
This video introduces what those enhancements are.
Happy to answer any questions you might have.
Big thanks to you for supporting this channel - much appreciated!
If you're not already a member, do join my Fantom Platform Facebook group, full of very experienced users who can help when you get stuck and is a great place to hang out with like-minded musicians. Here's the link - tps:// groups/rolandfantomplatform

[@timweakley6565]

New sub here. Thoroughly enjoyed this info. Insightful and straight to the point.

[@Gary.Holmes]

Great video. Thanks for removing ALL my initial cynicism about what I first thought was a paid-for bug fix with a new engine that many of us have already paid for. Turns out Roland are [probably] offering credits for people who purchased n/zyme separately but in any case it is clear that this update is MASSIVE. Can't wait to see the UI improvements and hear the JD-800, ACB models, new piano and that shimmer reverb on my own Fantom-8. Cheers, Neil.

[@jeremyl5509]

Great video showcasing the new features of the EX update. Maybe one day Yamaha and Korg will actually catch up to the Fantom Platform.

[@christopherwilliams3293]

I was thinking about buying now, since the regular one now sells for $3,600 and then buy the upgrade for $200. However, Montage m8x makes it very difficult. It's much better, but do I really want to pay $4,500 for it?

[@hugohinsel]

❤ thanks for your great videos.

[@TheSynthAcademy]

Thank you for watching!

[@zolakaya]

Thanks for this detailed overview! Do you happen to know if the new Mac driver is Apple Silicon compatible now?

[@francweber]

SMF, finally!

[@ursullavandenbord2322]

Hy , is it possible to change the attack and released to the pad samples ? So they don' t cut when released, but without loop mode . Thanks.

[@RoyMaya]

Do you know how many voices (polyphony) you can play on the ACB models?

[@TheSynthAcademy]

8 notes of simultaneous polyphony

[@csabakerekes3848]

I think the acb sh-101 is also included( for future download) just it's not yet available.....eventually all the acb engines will become adapted I guess just they need " recoding" according to roland.

[@TheSynthAcademy]

SH-101 will be released in December and is included in the price for this upgrade. It would be amazing if the other ACB instruments could get Fantom interfaces - Promars, Jupiter-4, System-100! Would be amazing!

[@ursullavandenbord2322]

Great review .Thanks. Question : can i go from version 2.00 to this paid ex version or must i before update to 3 and then EX. I think that i can go from firm version 2 to EX because EX includes all the previous update ....? Thanks.

[@TheSynthAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed the vid. Yes, you are right. No need to install v3 first. More info here - support.roland.com/hc/en-us/articles/20283847802907-FANTOM-6-FANTOM-7-FANTOM-8-Do-I-need-to-update-the-system-program-of-my-FANTOM-to-the-latest-version-in-order-to-upgrade-to-FANTOM-EX?_ga=2.74690258.1764806944.1711905996-673885317.1657268111

[@ursullavandenbord2322]

@@TheSynthAcademy Thanks a lot !!!

[@user-ni3is9jf1d]

With this update to fantom, would you recommend still getting a Jupiter X? I have been thinking of adding Jupiter x to my fantom and now I’m rethinking. Any thoughts?

[@TheSynthAcademy]

I have to say that I enjoy having both! I play different things on them, despite several common areas like the whole ZEN-Core engine. But there's the unique Jupiter-X engine and also iArp, which bring two dimensions not on the upgraded Fantom EX. It boils down to how you want to work - the Fantom EX is now even bigger than it ever was and is massively powerful in its own right and I can imagine it won't be too long (ie next year) before more ACB expansions are made available.

[@MarianoPerez]

I think my fantom is on version 2.5. Do I have to update it more before trying to upgrade it to this ex version? Do these upgrades go on sale during black friday?

[@TheSynthAcademy]

Roland don't do Black Friday so the price is the price! If you are on 2.5 I think it best to go to 3.02 first, then to EX (once you've bought the upgrade). Make sure you do a backup of your sounds before you do any updating/upgrading!

[@MarianoPerez]

@TheSynthAcademy they don't? I'm good I won't buy the update. I just wanted the piano and its probably not much different than their piano sounds.

[@paulbyrne3488]

looks great but i may have bricked it....afraid to turn off just stuck with board 1 end.... board 2 no file

[@iansmith1549]

I just got this applying the firmware 3.02 update to a v3.01 Fantom 8. Went back and rebooted and reinstalled and it went fine. Phew! It does seem flakey though. The first 3.00 update kept giving me an error about broken hardware and people told me it was an expensive fix. Went back to previous firmware and everything was back to normal. Skipped that release that broke it but then next one went fine and no problems since. Crazy that it seems so flakey!

[@ToRFlow]

that's happened to me as well. Just get a new usb drive 32gb or smaller. If it's stuck on board 2 and doing nothing, that won't change. If it didn't start right away when you swapped the usb to one of the external device ports, then it won't start ever. Power off, remove the usb drive, power on again and see if it will boot up. You'll get an error popup on your scene selection screen. Hit the exit button to close the error popup. Format your new usb stick using the fantom, as normal. Then copy the ex upgrade files to your new usb stick you just formatted. Try the update again.

[@rikmid]

Do you know how to extend the release on the grand vpiano?

[@TheSynthAcademy]

If you want really long release on the V-pianos I would use the Sustainer MFX (in conjunction with the hold pedal).

[@rikmid]

@@TheSynthAcademy thank you!

[@pushthebutton4602]

This is not for Fantom08?

[@TheBebe666]

Nope.

[@fantomandjupiterx864]

A bit steep at £200 should be free for all fantom users plus I’ve already got N/zyme so no point in getting it 🤨

[@zxkevin57]

Your right if you got nzyme should be 50$.but they did send coupon for 100 off, still should be 50$ if you bought nzyme 🤬🤬

[@KarlBate]

Upodated but no cubase support cannot work out what I did wrong. My bad, so I have the pleasure of paying £201.00 with tax to update it to work with Cubase. This is looking more like it is going to be sold, the Montage is looking more of a bargain every hour.

[@emanuelorosena]

People sell their Montage (at a loss) to buy a Montage M that is basically the same thing with another screen, a “software update”, a new engine and pay 3-4.5 grand… You have to look at Roland with another perspective. The Fantom’s hardware is way ahead of other brand’s. That’s why Roland can make this kind’s of “paid” upgrades, so they don’t have to make the same hardware again with a couple of new added things and make you pay full price (like Yamaha did with the Montage M) Don’t get me wrong I have a Montage 6 and soon will be getting the M, but at this time upgrading to the “New Fantom EX” with all of the new engines for only $200 it’s a real bargain

[@jeremyl5509]

Cubase config takes about 30 seconds - add a new Mackie Control device and set the in/out to Fantom DAW CTRL - works perfectly in Cubase 12 and 13. Added note- any DAW that uses Mackie Control can be controlled by the Fantom EX update. I also control Bitwig with it.

[@mohitpanchalkeyboardist7838]

Very bad workstation synthesizer Please don't Purchase 😡