Roland Launch NEW FANTOM EX So I'll Buy The Old One

Thoughts on the new ROLAND FANTOM EX, Roland's new flagship SYNTHESIZER WORKSTATION KEYBOARD:
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#roland #rolandfantomex #fantom

[@arfcorps]

Woody’s one of the nicest guys on KZbin - always feel good after watching his videos (please don’t turn out to be a serial killer or anything 😂).

[@WoodyPianoShack]

i got suspended from school for jumping off the cricket pavilion roof onto a crash mat but otherwise i'm a decent chap! thanks!

[@Wolfbabypuppylove]

@@WoodyPianoShack And thats where it starts then before you know it your a columbian drug lord Haha.

[@barryward7633]

Thanks Woody always appreciate and enjoy you commentaries on new equipment, cheers from New Zealand.

[@chillwalker]

I just bought an "old" FA 06. for under 500 Euros. And I am totally happy ;-)

[@damian-795]

I have a FA 06. Its incredible, the Jupiter 8 strings are as good as anything costing $5.000

[@WoodyPianoShack]

yeah, i really enjoyed my time with the fa, congrats!

[@djkanyon]

Phantom would be absolutely awesome. I favor Phantom coz it's less "piano oriented" than other workstations given the history of Roland and acid genre sounds. And the prices for an old ones keeps going down so a lot of my friends now buying them on sight!

[@Denvermorgan2000]

I remember when software updates were free.😁

[@madness8556]

Yes indeed back in the golden 90s when they added major new features without any marketing spin!

[@savoirfaire8979]

Roland released multiple updates for the SP-404 mk2. Free. Had major updates with new features.

[@dare2win215]

Welcome to the odd world of Roland in an already odd world. Roland charges for everything. I spent $60 on expansions of rebranded old 1990s samples for my RD88. SMH. Don't get me started on Roland's ridiculous decision in their vintage ROMpler VST recreations to treat each one as its own VST. 🤦‍♂️At least Korg had the foresight to include all of their licensed expansions native in theirs. ugh.

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

Major upgrades adding new engines have always been an exception.

[@MSM5500]

@@dare2win215 "Roland charges for everything." Then do not buy it. As simple as that. That's property of Roland so the ask as much as they want to. Anyone does like that when you buy a piece of software with a maintenance period during which updates are free. Every next version release is absolutely a brand new story. It's been like that for ages.

[@AndrewTSq]

I am a simple man, I would be happy with a Roland XP60 :)

[@madness8556]

The XP series are still just as good as they were almost 30 years ago when they were released.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

that's right mr madness, and only 200 bucks these days :)

[@sonic2000gr]

I had this one and it was amazing! Sold it to a friend many years, still has it and it still rocks!

[@etpslick100]

LOL! A friend of mine still has the XP80 and he midi it to his integra 7. He using that combo to this very day. He always says “If I ain’t broken; DON’T fix it!”😌🎶🎹👍🏾

[@Maluband]

Checking out the table, looking forward the the wavestate J6 video.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

i shot it previous to this one! just some editing to do...

[@skullhqx]

I bought a Fantom 6 two and a half years ago as an anti mid life gift to myself. The EX upgrade is nice and I got it as a gift from my wife. I have the Fantom paired with a Hydrasynth module, Deepmind 12 module, Novation Peak and a Moog Subsequent 37. For sequencing I use a Deluge, OXI One and an iPad Pro (audio routing and external FX are run in the iPad) that runs a Behringer XR18 sound interface. I have more synthesizers and too many FX boxes, but I’m selling all of those as I’m think I’ve arrived at my ‘final’ setup. The Fantom offers a lot of synth options and I love its endless encoders. I don’t think it was necessary for Roland to slap on an EX logo, but as long as they keep developing new modules for it, I don’t mind. Cheers Woody.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

thx for the insights, and congrats on a kick-ass setup!

[@skullhqx]

@@WoodyPianoShack Nah, thank YOU for your always uplifting videos! What would you get as a ‘final’ setup? And is there even such a thing for you, lol? 😂

[@RonWesterbeek]

Fantastic 🎉 still love to have one from the old ballpark 😅

[@MSM5500]

I guess it's worthwhile to wait till FY end when vendors try to get rid of their stock making decent pieces of gear just bargain. I got my System-8 for pennies the way like that.

[@mybachhertzbaud3074]

One might conclude that with the rash of purchases lately that, "You Won The Spanish Lottery!" Congrats!😜 and Play On 🎶🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎶🎶

[@prebsi8603]

Thanks Woody :D

[@YotamPiano]

Don't worry I am subscribed and I came here to say that I appreciate your content Woody. I hope this comment also drives the algorithm. Have fun with your new (old) Fantom !

[@WoodyPianoShack]

it surely does, thanks very much!

[@cresshead]

i'm looking forward to your take on the Roland Compact J-6 - looks a lot of interesting chord progression based fun. i used to own a real jx-3p with pg-200 control surface - now i have the jx-03 and it's pretty close - 'good enough'

[@TheBebe666]

New Fantom 6 cost is the same as Fantom 8 was when released. They will blame inflation 😁😁😁

[@DS-nw4eq]

It’s probably because of inflation

[@TylerInTraining]

Great video. I just bought the Fantom 7 with the EX software upgrade this past Friday for an absolute steal since they released the EX hardware model. I've had my eye on this keyboard for years now, since my first keyboard was an FA-08 and it has treated me well. While that one was definitely the correct choice at the time, THIS board is monstrous even without the EX upgrade, but if you get it you still cone out ahead in terms of money saved. And imo the upgrade is worth it for nZyme alone but it's certainly not necessary. If you're in the market, get it while it's hot! 😁

[@stiktougaizeur]

"Released about a year ago" ? The Fantom EX upgrade was released in November 2023. That's five months in my calendar. I guess we don't have the same notion on years then ? :)

[@ohheyitskevinc]

Us System 8 owners got the JX-3P gratis via an update. 5 years ago I recall. I was actually thinking about the Jupiter X as their prices have come down, but am I right in thinking non-zencore Cloud VSTs can be “plugged out” to a Fantom 6/7/8? I own 10 lifetime keys from those Cloud Play 4 Life annual subscriptions - Jupiter 4, SH-101, JD-800 etc., so if I can finally find a better home for ACB and non-ACB Cloud stuff I’ve already bought that have nothing to do with zencore, I might pick up a Fantom 6 instead.

[@carltonhall6628]

I've had the Fantom 08 for about 6 weeks, I love it, £1,500 here in the UK versus £3,000 for the flagship Fantom. I see Andertons want £4,177 for the new EX model! Crazy. Would I have chosen any different if I could now get an 'old' Fantom model for, say, £2,500.....hmm, not sure but probably not.

[@IamCarlFree]

I have the Fantom 6. I upgraded the firmware to EX last year and I love it. It comes with all the same features accept for the JX 3P at the time. I don't understand why they would release a new hardware version.

[@curt300s]

Roland see the writing on the wall. . . .hardware synths are becoming extinct.

[@synthystation]

Sticking with my old Fantom X7

[@Curious_Skeptic]

😂 Seriously? Roland is really something! Can't believe they really did this! No new cpu? No additional memory? Can't wait to buy a discount Fantom 😅

[@Talia.777]

Indeed at the moment, Roland is nothing but a shadow of his former self 😞😞 For me Yamaha was first and then Roland and Korg...but Roland and it's innovations and products were something magical especially in 90s and early 2000's... But Roland current state is saddening... 😞

[@SynthgodXXX]

Yup, the original Zencore Jupiter-8 sounds great thru the Analog Filter and Analog Outputs! I'm in the same boat, the original Fantom 6 will do just fine!

[@MusicWizard85]

I'm on the fence. I've had a Roland FA 07 for years and I love it. It's not perfect but it's really good. I'd rank it a solid 8.5 out of a possible 10. It was a huge upgrade from an old 1997 Yamaha Concertmate I was using prior to the FA 07. I love the Fantoms but I only want to get one if it's flagship and 88 keys. I'm considering selling my Hydrasynth Deluxe & Roland MC707 to help pay for half the cost of a Fantom EX 88 key. If you guys were me would you keep the Hydra & 707 or sell them to help get the Fantom EX?

[@mrdavies7894]

Thanks for confirming what's what with the Fantom-EX, Woody! Now, if only Roland would release a proper D-50 "model" for Fantom/Jupiter/Juno, &c!

[@WoodyPianoShack]

right on. surely it's in the pipeline, hard to imagine they don't plan on tapping into that. especially when they have the cloud and boutique running it.

[@ckatheman]

Did they fix the aftertouch?

[@ZoranImsiragic]

As I can see, someone can buy original Fantom on a deal because prices are going down and buy an expansion pack from the site and that will be cheaper than to buy new EX, isn't it?

[@idemditto]

Hmmm I’ll keep my Fantom 07 😊

[@kevanbarrett7411]

I part ex my Roland FA and Kronos 2 for a Fantom two years ago thinking this would give me all of what I had and then some, but for me it was a big mistake. No sound hold on V piano or Organ and only 64 bars song length in the sequencer. I had to let it go and managed to get another Kronos 2.

[@user-pi2qd5zr8b]

I think the Fantom came out in 2019 (remember your video Woody with you in the AR control room) . I bought my Fantom 8 a few months later at the depths of the pandemic in April the next year. Paid £2957 brand new (the going rate at that time) and the EX upgrade is £189 so it's actually still over £150 less than the discounted price for the original. Just shows how much the price has risen since then seeing the new EX is retailing at £4177. I would definitely buy an original version and the upgrade rather than the new one. Just think what you could buy with that £850 and presume the price might drop a bit more too for second hand ones. Maybe a second hand Fantom and a Nautilus (non AT) 61?

[@WoodyPianoShack]

thanks for your thoughts, gosh is the new one that pricey? the 6 will be cheaper though i will check later

[@ChristopherJenkins73]

I really wished they would have made it compatible with Vocal Designer Expansion and made the D-50 in an ACB form.... The only Kool thing i find is now if you want to sell it off some day? The expansions can be sold along with the EX Version. No polyphony fix? 😮 Kinda sad they raised the price to Compensate and still charged for the "UPGRADE"

[@WoodyPianoShack]

would be lovely to have the d50 emulation on the fantom yes. probably just a matter of time and we'll have to get our credit card out!

[@janvisser1963]

@@WoodyPianoShack Late Mr.Kakehashi was Roland. Now Roland makes Money with his Legacy. Such a Shame! Selling Emulations, and selling little boxes with tiny knobs. 80's and 90's were Roland 's glory Days. Spend a lot of money on Roland 's products . Sold my Juno 106 when it's D-50 arrived. My god what a glorious machine back then. My favorite Patch. Future PAD. Now i play it in the Cloud with a bit of Valhalla Shimmer...... delicious.

[@zoomzoom3950]

Do you need a Roland Cloud subscription to access the upgrade/updates? edit: just checking, between Omnisphere and V Collection, I have many or most of these in software already. If the upgrade is $400, the price of the fantom-6 + upgrade is only $100 less than getting the new fantom-ex-6 here, and you don't have to mess with the upgrade.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

you don't need the sub, just a cloud account and your credit card to buy the ex upgrade!

[@zoomzoom3950]

@@WoodyPianoShack Thank you!

[@TheUnfinishedSynth]

Going for a Twin Peaks vibe with the curtains at the back?

[@WoodyPianoShack]

guess so, but have never watched TP so just a happy accident!

[@GraceKeyz]

Thanks Woody… I was wondering the same… I see Korg has a new grandstage… same kind of thing… a few more samples and a different look, but underneath the covers it doesn’t seem much different than the original… btw, i think the grandstage is awesome, but too expensive for me…

[@jz6461]

If an ‘old’ Fantom costs several hundreds of dollars less than the ‘new’ Fantom EX it would make sense to buy an ‘old’ version and buy the EX expansion from Roland: you get exactly the same for less. I suppose from a marketing point of view this new EX model makes sense. I still have my ‘old’ Fantom 8, love the sound and the action of the keys, not so enthusiastic about the sequencer (limiting) and it’s a pity that all the ACB instruments can only be used on zone 1 which they share with the V piano; so you have to choose what you want to use in a song: a V-piano OR an ACB instrument.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

congrats on your fantom! yes, if you can get a good deal on the old model, just upgrade it yourself! maybe even roland have black friday deals on that. but you don't get that new badge on the control panel!

[@Pepijn_a.k.a._Akikaze]

The Fantom EX 8 would have been a good deal two years ago, before I bought an RD-2000 and a System 8. Everything else it offers besides the V-piano and ACB Jupiter 8 is beyond my interest, because I have enough toys to do the job. Mustard after the meal, to translate a Dutch saying.

[@xp50player]

You won’t believe how much more the Fantom does than the FA series you spent a lot of time with. There are 15 free PCM expansions too that can all live in there simultaneously and create their own banks. I have like 10,000 patches in my Fantom.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

good stuff! but well aware what an improvement over the old FA!

[@sonic2000gr]

Fantom 6 costs around 3000 euros new. Fantom Ex upgrade costs $200 from Roland cloud. Total is about 3200 euros. The 'new' Fantom 6 EX costs in Thomann right now 4166 euros! Something does not add up here! Either something more is included rather than just the upgrade OR Roland is taking lessons from Korg lately :D

[@WoodyPianoShack]

you're right, it does not compute.

[@ZenithMusicNet]

I read on Musicradar the Fantom EX6 goes for $3200 and the EX8 for $4200. Thomann selling the EX8 for €4166 would sound more logical in this context.

[@sonic2000gr]

@@ZenithMusicNet I sure hoped this was just a temporary mix-up in Thomann, but I just checked musicstore and the prices are similar.

[@mudi2000a]

It makes a lot of sense to buy the old one because it is just the same only with the EX upgrade included. Apparently they did not upgrade the hardware. By the way price difference is extreme. Thomann has B-Stock of the OG Fantom-6 for a whopping 1300€ less than the Fantom-6 EX.

[@djkanyon]

I bet they did it on purpose. You know... marketing. Sometimes companies make new stuff overpriced just to sell the old models they still have of a warehouse shelves.

[@mudi2000a]

@@djkanyon yeah but at least at Thomann the OG is only available as new as Fantom-7, 6 and 8 model only B-stock.

[@djkanyon]

@@mudi2000a 7 was less popular i think, coz for a home use people bought 6, and for stage pianists 8 was the only option...

[@WoodyPianoShack]

thanks for the price info, i think i missed that deal... too bad.

[@roryduncan9360]

C’mon Roland - send Woody a Fantom!!

[@leslie1526]

Can you load D50?

[@WoodyPianoShack]

no, but zencore engine has a nice selection of d50-ish presets

[@supercompooper]

Im waiting for full xoxar compatible mpe clatinologic

[@ChrisPBacon3000]

So the Fantom EX hardware is different from the original?

[@Bruce.-Wayne]

Nope, its the same hardware.....I have the Fantom 8 and thought the EX was gonna be a hardware upgrade as well, but its not

[@ChrisPBacon3000]

@@Bruce.-Wayne That is so strange. Just curious why was he saying that people will be selling the original ones (since they can simply update)?

[@WoodyPianoShack]

i'm saying the price of used "fantom 1" will be impacted by the introduction of the new model. it's always like that. not saying that fantom 1 owners will sell them in order to buy the EX, sorry for misunderstanding

[@ChrisPBacon3000]

@@WoodyPianoShack Oh okay. I see now what you are saying.

[@FrankieNuggetz]

@@WoodyPianoShack it was impacted.... I just got a mint F8 for £2200. Get the update and then don't use it like all my other synths :)

[@wireguy123]

Are we talking the Fantom 6,7,8 and the Fantom 06,07,08?

[@WoodyPianoShack]

the flagship 6 7 , nothing new with the budget models

[@Zefukey]

How is the aftertouch on the EX? If it works properly I’d trade my old Fantom for it.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

same as the fantom, it's the same hardware

[@RickJohnson]

Fantom-08 EX vs non-EX is a $600 difference on US retailers like Sweetwater.

[@ZenithMusicNet]

Clever marketing, trying to sell new full-price hardware, while the Fantom 6/7/8 software upgrade would have been sufficient. Unless I'm missing something the physical EX adds.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

you are correct, this is just software update, to the best of our knowledge.

[@runestone1337]

Yet another half-arsed and panicked attempt by Roland to compete with the new Yamaha Montage M. I agree with Woody -- just wait for the old model to be dumped in the clearance bins. I might even pick one up myself.

[@ursullavandenbord2322]

Prices in Europe are insane.....Are they crazy ? They won't sell them....

[@leonardovmusic]

I did the same with the Kronos when Kronos 2 came out.

[@PeterGrew]

I found dealers with approx 20% discount on the old Fantom in Sweden 👍

[@WoodyPianoShack]

that's nice, who?

[@PeterGrew]

@@WoodyPianoShack DJService was one

[@WoodyPianoShack]

@@PeterGrew it's sek 37k there, but thomann have had the F6 for sale at regular price of 32k for the last year.

[@russ254]

“So I’ll buy the old one” - my brother, we were separated at birth! xxoo

[@rudi6127]

The EX upgrade has not been out for a year, it’s been out less than 6 month…..

[@normannormannormannormannorman]

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

[@idemditto]

Roland should make a new LA synth and include all D-50 patches and expansions.

[@sergiodeoliveira5358]

They did with the Roland Boutique D-05 a few years ago. Before that, the V-Synth had a D-50 expansion.

[@idemditto]

@@sergiodeoliveira5358 yes I own one but hope they will revive LA Synthesis with a new synth.

[@sergiodeoliveira5358]

The Zen core engine in my Fantom is pretty much a descendant of LA synthesis. Only thing missing are all the D-50 PCM samples. Synth waveforms are there.

[@michelvondenhoff9673]

We have multi sampled sounds with synthesis on top. 1987 was long time ago.

[@park171]

lol. Roland did what they did. They went and stalled their product line more than I thought they would. I thought they would repackage the Fantom 0 ex! but that may still come. O well. Don buy a Fantom until they re launch a more processor capable model.

[@davebassP5]

Don’t forget the EX expansion costs money, so it stands to reason the EX version will cost a bit more. Shame that Roland are now just rehashing things and not moving forward anymore.

[@microbug3487]

There is really nothing „old“ about it, just that the paid EX upgrade now is included and you still can upgrade the existing Fantoms. I wonder why Roland did this now and not at the same time as the EX upgrade was released. The only real new thing is the JX-3P ACB model.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

yep, good summary of the situation. btw, owners of the EX upgrade also get the 3P

[@madness8556]

So in a nutshell, Roland are doing exactly like Korg have been doing forever and a day by repackaging their old technology in a myriad of ways and marketing them in such a way that they're the next big thing! I was fooled my all their marketing hype when I was in my naive 20s but now that I'm in my 50s, I'm not so easily fooled by all their marketing spin!

[@SlowBloke123]

ACB sounds significantly better than zencore imo....

[@paultumelty]

Have you won the lottery Woody? :)

[@WoodyPianoShack]

no,but i need to now to pay bills and feed family

[@Kuriakose_Sebin]

Don't promote Roland products, they're over priced for what they got. Being in the market for fifty years, they think that they are the Boss of musical industry while having no more innovative products or ideas.

[@Russsssss]

In my country is too expensive

[@keithgardner8000]

Sounds like a very expensive re-hash / rebrand

[@rockon856]

Owned the Fantom 8 , version before the EX. Give it a miss woody. It’s just hard to vibe with … I found it quite clunky and uninspiring. Save your pennies.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

really interesting to read that, thanks! will look out for a used unit then, that I can sell on for more or less the same money if we don't vibe.

[@zoomzoom3950]

Turns out it's only $199 for the EX upgrade here, and my go-to music store only has Fantom-6 floor models; so, with my discount, there's a net $300 difference between the Fantom-6 floor model + the EX upgrade vs the new-in-factory-sealed box in warehouse Fantom-EX-6, ...so I ordered the Fantom-EX-6 which is new in the box at their warehouse. At these prices, I don't like to mess with used or floor models unless I can try them out; and by the time I did that I'm sure the Fantom-EX-6 supply would be sold out. I was planning to wait for the Korg Kronos replacement for my next workstation, but this has lots of Roland synth goodness.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

i think i would have done same in your situation, congrats on the EX

[@zoomzoom3950]

@@WoodyPianoShack Thanks & Cheers! Your channel is helping me find what I like, but also spend more money than I intended. 😁

[@wreckage-vs5jv]

Roland will be the 1st at the final stage of this "music as a service" business model. We Design The Future...unfortunately it's a dystopia.

[@furiobisotti8150]

I don't see any innovation in workstations. This is another example. Korg Oasys was the masterpiece, no one got close. After many years software instruments took the lead and workstations are still there. I play live with a full software system since years. Lately every new piece of hardware isn't able to change my mind.

[@keinedummenfragen]

I don’t like this strategy to sell additional software packs for a lot of money. If I want to have that, I’ll do it on my Mac 🤷🏼‍♂️ Don’t sell me expensive hardware to sell me the funktions afterwards for even more money. 👎🏻

[@janvisser1963]

Roland, just forget Roland. Their R & D nowadays isn't comparable with what it was. They lost contact with the Customer market, and make toys for Teenies.

[@worldsstongeststrains983]

Roland is running out of ideas. Most of my gear is Roland but I’ve been eyeballing the ingenuity of Arturia and other brands.

[@PaulJohnsonUK]

You can upgrade the “old” fantom to EX anyway. Buy an old one now and make it an ex. Bargain!

[@jrf1962]

they should not have asking no money extra! Shame on Roland! Wasting on money and Orchestra sounds are garbage! Not realistic! Critics is not for you pianoshack but Roland. You are a great guy and understand our comment. Thank you!

[@snowleopard9749]

Sadly Roland hasn't been innovative since the V-Synth days.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

it occured to me today that most of the latest releases are homages to their successes in the 80s.

[@saulcross9690]

Can you get pills to treat gear acquisition syndrome yet?

[@WoodyPianoShack]

apparently not! actually, and i believe this is true, i don't want any of this stuff, but need gear to make videos about. if i could choose for myself, i'd just have a nice upright piano! :D

[@saulcross9690]

@@WoodyPianoShack I know, just pulling your leg a little. Still love your channel.

[@zoomzoom3950]

@@WoodyPianoShack I'm really enjoying my gear, and the GAS sometimes gets out of hand, sometimes it's all too much. I may get to that point eventually, sell most of my gear, and get the one and only organ I've always wanted but can't afford, even if I sold all my music gear: Allen TO-5G ...also not sure if the floor of my house could handle it either. edit: there's a new one, with Wurlitzer and Barton stop lists, and a full classical pipe organ suite too, for sale in the UK for £148,500 😁