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Average Price: $429

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Description

Unleash your creative potential with the Roland Fantom-S, a powerhouse synthesizer that elegantly combines advanced sampling with a robust synthesis engine. Designed for professional music production, this 61-key workstation offers seamless integration of audio and MIDI, allowing you to craft intricate soundscapes with ease. The Fantom-S is not just about producing music; it's about transforming your ideas into fully realized compositions.

At the heart of the Fantom-S is a 64MB wave ROM, providing you with an extensive library of stereo-sampled waves meticulously captured in world-class studios. This ensures that every note you play is rich and authentic. The Dynamic Pad Bank, featuring 16 velocity-sensitive pads, simplifies sample triggering, making it intuitive to layer sounds and create complex beats.

One standout feature is the innovative "Skip Back Sampling," which continuously records your performances. This means a moment of inspiration is never lost, allowing you to capture and refine your ideas effortlessly. With its USB connectivity, transferring samples between your computer and the Fantom-S is a breeze, further enhancing your workflow.

The Fantom-S also boasts a comprehensive set of effects, including reverb, chorus, and mastering processors, equipping you to polish your tracks to perfection. Its expandable architecture supports optional SRX-Series Wave Expansion Boards, ensuring that your sonic palette can grow as your musical needs evolve.

Key Features:

  • 61-note keyboard with seamless audio and MIDI integration
  • 64MB wave ROM with new Patches and Rhythm Sets
  • Dynamic Pad Bank with 16 velocity-sensitive pads
  • "Skip Back Sampling" for continuous recording
  • USB port for easy file exchange with PC or Mac
  • 32MB sample RAM (expandable to 288MB) with .WAV/AIFF compatibility
  • 3 MFX processors, plus dedicated reverb, chorus, and mastering processor
  • Expandable via four optional SRX-Series Wave Expansion Boards
  • 4 Line outputs, stereo Line input, and 24-bit S/PDIF digital output

Product specs

Brand Roland
Model Fantom-S 61-Key Workstation Keyboard
Finish Silver
Year 2003 - 2004
Made In Japan
Categories Workstation Keyboards
Analog / Digital Digital
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Synth Action
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through, USB MIDI
Number of Keys 61 Keys
Number of Pads 16 Pads
Polyphony 64 Voices

FAQs

Is the Roland Fantom-S suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Roland Fantom-S is well-suited for live performances with its 61 full-size keys, 16 velocity-sensitive pads, and comprehensive sound engine, providing flexibility and dynamic control on stage.

Can the Roland Fantom-S integrate with my computer for music production?

The Roland Fantom-S features a USB port for WAV/AIFF file exchange, allowing seamless integration with both PC and Mac for music production purposes.

What type of synthesis does the Roland Fantom-S use?

The Roland Fantom-S employs digital synthesis with a 64MB wave ROM, offering advanced sampling capabilities and real-time timestretching for versatile sound creation.

How many sounds can the Roland Fantom-S store?

The Roland Fantom-S comes with 32MB sample RAM, expandable up to 160MB, and includes 16MB of flash RAM to retain your favorite sounds, supporting extensive sound storage.

Does the Roland Fantom-S support external sound expansion?

Yes, the Roland Fantom-S is expandable via 4 optional SRX-Series Wave Expansion Boards, allowing you to enhance its sound capabilities with additional waveforms.

magermunson

magermunson

Roland Fantom-S/S88 - Introduction 1/2

Video thumbnail for Roland Fantom-S/S88 - Introduction 1/2 by magermunson

Roland Fantom-S/S88 - Introduction 1/2

magermunson

magermunson

Video thumbnail for Roland Fantom S-61. Song Called: "Paradise"  By ColdPlay  & performed by Tony Caruso by Anthony C

Roland Fantom S-61. Song Called: "Paradise" By ColdPlay & performed by Tony Caruso

Anthony C

Anthony C

Video thumbnail for Roland Fantom S - Transferring MIDI files from computer to Sequencer by Product Support

Roland Fantom S - Transferring MIDI files from computer to Sequencer

Product Support

Product Support

Video thumbnail for ROLAND FANTOM-S (TEST SOUNDS) by ANDERSON MACHADO #ROLAND #ROLANDFANTOM by Tiago Mallen

ROLAND FANTOM-S (TEST SOUNDS) by ANDERSON MACHADO #ROLAND #ROLANDFANTOM

Tiago Mallen

Tiago Mallen

Video thumbnail for Roland Fantom-S/S88 - Original Demo by magermunson

Roland Fantom-S/S88 - Original Demo

magermunson

magermunson

Video thumbnail for Roland Fantom S - Timbres by PLAY NOW PRODUÇÕES (FOTOGRAFIA E ÁUDIO)

Roland Fantom S - Timbres

PLAY NOW PRODUÇÕES (FOTOGRAFIA E ÁUDIO)

PLAY NOW PRODUÇÕES (FOTOGRAFIA E ÁUDIO)

Video thumbnail for Roland FantomS Instructional Video by SampleKings

Roland FantomS Instructional Video

SampleKings

SampleKings

Video thumbnail for Roland Fantom-S demo by Slavik07

Roland Fantom-S demo

Slavik07

Slavik07

Reviews

PROS

  • Amazing sound quality for its age

  • Smooth key action enhances playability

  • Easy navigation for quick adjustments

  • Good variety of patches available

CONS

  • Sequencer is outdated and difficult to use

  • Internal interface is impractical for modern needs

  • Screen size is too small for detailed editing

  • May require an external DAW for better sequencing experience

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland Fantom-S.

Features and functionality

  • The "skip back sampling" feature continuously records and allows playback of any sequence played, activated by a blue button on the top right.

    Source
  • The Roland Fantom-S has predefined velocity settings: light, medium, and heavy, but lacks a 'REAL' option in some configurations.

    Source

User experience

  • The skip back sampling button changes color when powered on, appearing blue, and turns white when the board is off, indicating its status.

    Source
  • Some users initially perceive the Fantom-S as lacking velocity sensitivity until they adjust default settings in the system setup.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Transitioning from MIDI setup back to direct play mode can require recalling specific settings, highlighting the importance of documenting personal configurations.

    Source
  • Owners need to manually adjust keyboard velocity settings, which are accessible under 'PART VIEW'/'KEY RANGE' with options from -63 to +63.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Roland Fantom S & Fantom S88

soundonsound.com

Roland Fantom-S impresses with its robust XV synth engine and user-friendly sequencer, making it a powerhouse for live performances and music production. The addition of a sampler and innovative features like the Dynamic Pad Bank and D-Beam controller offer musicians a versatile toolkit. However, the inability to import existing multisampled libraries and the complex sample memory structure are notable drawbacks. Despite these limitations, its performance-oriented design and expansive sampling capabilities make it a solid choice for those seeking a comprehensive workstation.

positive
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 4 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
kobern

An old workstation still running well

This Roland Fantom-S, started in 2003, was my first workstation I've played with. It has a good amount of different patches, for its time it was very good choice, I won't recommand it if you live in 2016 (or more) because the sequencer is so painful to use and outdated but if you still want it you might want to use it with an external DAW/Sequencer via midi cause the internal interface is unpratical and the screen is way too small.

stefano_venom_sartori

.

Have it for a short time..

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Deryck Whibley uses Roland Fantom-S

Deryck Whibley

Singer, Guitarist

Sum 41

...
Verified via reverb.com

This Roland Fantom - S is owned by Deryck Whibley Of Sum 41

S/N: ZQ91668

See how Phil Driscoll uses Roland Fantom-S

Phil Driscoll

Composer

...
Verified via YouTube

In this youtube Phil Driscoll is spotted playing the Roland Fanthom-S in a live setting.

See how Mikko Härkin uses Roland Fantom-S

Mikko Härkin

Keyboardist

Sonata Arctica

...
Verified via YouTube

At the 5 minute and 37 second mark in the video titled "Mikko Harkin - Great Keyboard Solos Part 1" on YouTube, you can see Mikko Härkin's Roland Fantom-S keyboard positioned beneath his Roland V-Synth GT, confirming his use of this instrument.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Roland Fantom-S, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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  • Added to Equipboard on by

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