The Roland Fantom 08 | One Year Later

The Roland Fantom 08 is a Recording Studio, a Radio/Podcast Station, and DJ Controller all in one. That's what nobody really articulates in the demo videos. You could call it a workstation, an interface, a keyboard...but really what it is, is a nightclub on wheels. Get one!

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

This Fantom is a great part of my studio, it does so much, but, it can't do it all at once. 55 years as a keyboard musician buying gear has let me know that no keyboard can do it all, not even the flagship Fantom or any other manufactures keyboards. The FantomO is the best UI Roland has ever made that uses display menus. My studio is 100% hardware, using a 24 track hardware recorder, music should always recorded, mixed, and mastered with ears NOT eyes. The FantomO has no need for a DAW or computer with its clip base recording. One of the two reasons I bought the FantomO is for group launch from the 4x4 pads, the second reason was to add ZenCore sound designing to my studio. I hate presets, don't use them, I wish I could erase them all, synthesizers from the beginning were designed for creativity of sound, not playing someone else's sounds. Somehow this preset addition to synths brought out the worst in music over the years, with little original sound creation. My little 5x8 feet hardware studio is full of synths, analog and digital, samplers, groove boxes, sequencers, recording gear, and is creative from the foundation. I sound design for each song, then compose the song with these new instruments made just for the feeling of this song Then record effects, EQ, levels, processing in to create the environment for the song. We are living in the age where we can build our own instruments for each song we compose and create the environment we want it heard from!!! I have recorded over 70 albums in the last 13 years using this 100% hardware studio, NEVER has a recording failed because of some corrupted software. NEVER have I had to troubleshoot a problem before or while recording. Yes, there have been equipment issues such as failing mixers, but the problem is known ahead of time, and the only reason it exists is because I live in poverty and can't replace a device immediately upon discovery. Every time I pressed "RECORD" on my ZoomR24 hardware recorder, it functioned without a single error over the 13 years; now it is wearing out and needs replaced.

[@GeoffGroves]

Just got mine. Learned on Kurzweil synths, and OMG my first thought about the Fantom 0 was "Finally, someone with common sense designed a synth" The Fantom 0 gets 7 stars out of 5 in my books. GREAT VIDEO!

[@Statsjk]

It lacks after touch keybed

[@user-ci7ik6zg7r]

We are just bought a fantom 08 and are excited to have it at home asap. Thanks for the review, man.

[@amackclassic6737]

Have so much fun, I hope you love it

[@MalvoNTheStudio]

Man, i've been wanting a Fantom ever since they first came into production. I'm about to get that Fantom 06 from Sweetwater in a week. I'm so excited! I can't wait!

[@amackclassic6737]

Congratulations. It's a pleasure to own a tool like this.

[@deinstrumens1177]

Hi, it's nice to see somebody else figured out as well just how powerful this machine is. I've been using it to engineer pipe organs and use it as a plug and play demo keyboard for a classical pop musician and it does the job brilliantly. Those are very different things but it just adds to your point even more: even if you're not that into electronic music you will still find artistic satisfaction because it's such a versatile beast.

[@amackclassic6737]

Isn't it just mind blowing?? I honestly think it's the greatest musical tool on the planet. Thank you very much for watching and contributing to this conversation. I love the fact the Roland is so versatile and helps literally everyone be creative such as in the way you describe and display on your channel. It's an open canvas, yet already a masterpiece.

[@deinstrumens1177]

@@amackclassic6737 Thank YOU for making users and potential users enthousiastic about a currently less unpopular masterpiece of equipment. I think you contribute a lot to the community!

[@markstein6226]

Thanks for this. Love your passion!

[@amackclassic6737]

Thanks man!

[@biggiesmalls7939]

Great video man, I really like how you clearly have passion about your fantom and music in general, it comes across in the video very clearly. It makes watching your videos way more enjoyable and digestible than all the other vids I've seen lately. Anyways I've had my Fantom for about a month now, and I still can't wrap my head around the sheer POWER these keyboards have..... We're about a decade away from keyboards with 15" OLED screens and having windows 10 with full DAWS on deck haha.

[@amackclassic6737]

Each of us will make this board do what WE want. It takes time bc you're right, there's a lot of Workflows available. Take your time and discoveries will be made as you learn about the equipment.

[@The_Sonic_Oasis]

I had an older predecesor which was the Roland FA-08 and even that keyboard was quiet powerful eben though it wasn't the flagship workstation.

[@doublebass5y]

I have owned my Jupiter x now for a year and boy what a learning curve especially when roland did major firmware updates that revealed a whole buch of new things that it can do. Done some recording with it but just preferr to jam. Totally love it.

[@jelnet]

Wow, this is a real eye opener! I used to use a Roland D20 workstation synced to a 4 track portastudio. The only way to have them in sync was to start the track at the begining with no pauses or stops, so your audio tracks had to be right or else start from the beginning again. Yet I was way more productive on that setup than with Cubase and all the plugins etc. I have now. Maybe the Fantom is the way forward! Thanks for your video 👍.

[@amackclassic6737]

The thing about the Fantom bro, is speed. It's very intuitive to use, I've had for a few years now, but it's great sitting down at it everyday.

[@jelnet]

​@@amackclassic6737the only thing that concerns me, that some reviewers have mentioned, is the polyphony, and notes getting cut when there's a lot going on

[@amackclassic6737]

@jelnet I've heard that too, but I'm not layering more than 3 sounds at once. I'm live looping with the Fantom, so once things are recorded into my DAW, resources are immediately freed up from the Fantom. Most people my age and below are using computers on stage too, so the polyphony problem really only applies to those using the Fantom as a standalone keyboard.

[@jelnet]

@@amackclassic6737 Cool, thanks for your help!🙂

[@paulg-k6742]

Great video highlighting a lot of the features and versatility of the Fantom 0. I've had my 08 since January and I didn't get around to recording my first song on it until around 3 months later as there was so many features and things to discover, it was almost overwhelming. Sadly my Fantom 08 is currently with Roland for repair as the black keys started to get very noisy with a clacking type sound when pressing some of them. Hopefully I will get it back soon? Luckily I have managed to get hold of a very cheap Roland Go Piano 88 that I have connected to Cubase 12 for the time being. It's no match for the Fantom 08 with it's synth type keys but okay as a practise tool. As powerful as Cubase is I am really missing the Fantom 0 and cannot wait to get it back, as I found it much more intuitive then using a DAW.

[@doogey420]

Thanks! I am now subscribed! I am looking forward to seeing your current videos. Just happened on you today!

[@steveglossop]

I love you man. That's all I have. I'll be back for the live stuff soon.

[@amackclassic6737]

Thanks Steve! We'll be going live again soon I'm sure. I've been trying to get better at making these regular videos lately!

[@AJBlockVideo]

Awesome to hear you. I just got the Fantom-08 and am looking to do live DJ style sets. Do you find that ableton is essential for this or do you think its possible to do seamless performances just with the fantom-0?

[@amackclassic6737]

The Fantom storage is limited, this is why I use the DAW. The great thing about the Fantom is that it is obviously mappable. I have a video or two demonstrating how I'm using the Fantom to remix and Mashup songs. I am considering getting a DJ Controller like the FLX4 so I can export my own stuff out of Ableton to then arrange via another controller more designed for that activity. I've seen plenty of people performing with just the Fantom and the Fantom plus Ableton. There's really no right way, there's just your way!!

[@ElJuloProduction]

Nice feedback 👍also love the Fantom ! So many possibilities

[@unclejerrysworld]

I just got the Fantom 06..... But I'm a Cubase user..... I'm ok because there's a guy out there that made it work..... The Fantom O is a MUST HAVE for live (above all) and studio..... So much POWER!!!

[@amackclassic6737]

It's amazing, everyone I know young and old finds it fascinating! Thanks guy watching!

[@KaceyBakerFilms]

Does it have the classic dance music patches from the MC707?

[@peteraaron8626]

Interesting to hear your views on the Fantom 0. I've had mine for about a week and I'm still exploring the sounds. I had a look at the sequencer today and it looks quite deep. I plan on using the Fantom with Studio One, as that's the DAW I'm used to. I'm not sure how that's going to woirk out. Oh, and yes - Kebu is great!

[@mrbelle8760]

I too use Studio One as well as Fl Studo 21.1. I don't use Ableton nearly as much but I'd love to once I understand how to set it up with my Fantom 06.

[@amackclassic6737]

I originally used the Fantom with Studio One as well! I switched obviously, but it worked fine with Studio One. Thanks for watching!

[@amackclassic6737]

I'm really gonna release a video that shows how I set mine up. Hopefully it'll help you!

[@biggiesmalls7939]

It's too bad a version of the EX upgrade wasn't rolled out to the Fantom 0s, it has direct integration with Cubase and Studio One(Like how Ableton is directly integrated with the Fantom).

[@Vsongmusic]

Great video. Curious question. What are the heights of your; chair seat, top of your white keys? You look very comfortable with chair/keyboard heights.

[@amackclassic6737]

I'm not sure, I'll have to measure it! It's a computer chair though, it's adjustable!

[@Javidshah44]

If this O version is powerful what would you call the fantom then for almost twices price ?

[@hwj1822]

I'm a MPC Fan. Maybe the 08 is at the same Level, possibly. The full F8 is better as the MPC, but too expensive to me. I guess. Maybe i'm wrong, don't know.

[@gibson2623]

Have you tried the Yamahas MODX+?

[@mrbelle8760]

Just curious, what do you mean a broadcast station? Can you do a video on how this is done?

[@amackclassic6737]

Sure! I meant more as a podcast/livestream hub. I've been broadcasting my set up to Twitch and KZbin Live specifically. It's incredible to me that the board is all I need to perform in this way online! Thank you for watching!

[@marcusunivers]

I really thinking to get the Fantom 08. What I am struggling or still dont know because there is not enough informations about it is: - Im a FL Studio Guy. How good is the integration for it? - Between the Fantom 8 and the Fantom 08 if it comes to polyphony, is the 08 Super Natual Piano ok, when combining it with maybe pads or synths or do I running out quickly on polyphony? - Also how much can I customize the Piano for my liking? Do I really need to have the V-Piano Engine with unlimited polyphony or can I do almost the same with the super natual one? - How many spampled instruments can I create/store on it? Like lets say getting my one samples and map it on the Fantom Keys. Can I expand the internal storage over USB or is there a limit? - Are the Juno and Jupiter 8 Sound Engines included or do I need to buy into the Roland Cloud? Maybe someone here can give me some helpful information to that, because I really struggle with choosing between the fantom 8 and the fantom 08. 😅

[@amackclassic6737]

Even if you buy 8, it won't integrate with FL in the same way as it does in Ableton and you'll still need Roland cloud for expansions. The other things you mentioned are a good reason to upgrade though. I have to say, there's over 80 Pianos loaded into my 08 and I only ever use one or two bc they just sound right to me. As far as sampling, I do a lot of that, it's never been an issue of space. If you use Scene Select, you can clearly see how massive the internal storage must be. I'm not saving all of them to the Fantom, I've made sounds but then just record them in the daw and move on to another project. I have some scenes created for various purposes saved in the Fantom that I use for live streaming, teaching, producing etc. It's been a great tool. I hope I answered at least some of what you needed.

[@marcusunivers]

​@@amackclassic6737 Thanks for the quick answers! This helps a lot in my choosing! 👍 Its a bummer that expansion only work with the roland cloud. But what if I just get roland cloud for lets say one month. Getting all the cool expansions and then just quit. Did it still be on the fantom? I mean the Fantom 8 can hold more of them 😏 Each fader can be routed to a Midi Channel right. So I can just set it up for FL to select the sounds/vsts manually and when its set it up I just can switch scenes and have all the vsts routed to the faders right? Maybe I sample some of my vsts and load it up into the fantom for more quicker Access. Even a good customized piano vst can be sampled and put on the 08. So this can save me 2000 instead going for the 8. 😏

[@amackclassic6737]

This was my thought process exactly. I wasn't going to pay 2k more for a "great" piano sound and extra synth functionality. For me, it's about speed of creation. Midi learning can be accomplished on any midi controller, so you're right, creating a default template in the daw that contains the midi data will be extremely dope. I've been using it in this way the entire time. The pad mode has daw control, and has been the ultimate sampling and live arrangement tool for me. I do go live with the thing almost every night, so if you ever wanna see it in action you should swing by.

[@roderickalbus5818]

@@marcusunivers just curious what decision did you make at the end? I’m currently on the same journey considering the big Fantom and the 0…

[@marcusunivers]

@@roderickalbus5818 Im still saving up some money but I will probably go with the big Fantom, because the Weighted Keys on the 8, the synths that are included like jupiter8, juno ... (which are not included on the 08), the bigger storage for Presets/Samples, VPiano Engine with unlimited polyphony and the better connectivity like the XLR Combo Mic Input in the big Fantom. Because I not take the synth around and more having it stay in the studio this will be for me the smarter choice. 😅

[@PoboyMusic]

Gonna hook it up to ableton and give it a try. Thanks

[@amackclassic6737]

I made a video about it awhile back if you need a reference. Glad to hear you're gonna do it though, it really is worth it.

[@MichaelDaniels241]

Ed Diaz

[@kksinghsingh]

No talk Please Play

[@amackclassic6737]

I literally have dozens of videos of playing the Fantom. Check out my live streams!