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Description

Experience a harmonious blend of sampling and synthesis with the Roland Fantom S88, a powerhouse digital piano designed for the modern musician. This 88-note Progressive Hammer-Action Keyboard offers a tactile and authentic playing experience, ideal for both studio sessions and live performances. The Fantom S88 integrates audio and MIDI seamlessly, letting you explore new creative horizons with its extensive sound library built from a brand-new 64MB wave ROM. Effortlessly craft your musical ideas with the Dynamic Pad Bank, featuring 16 velocity-sensitive pads for intuitive sample triggering and pattern playback.

The Fantom S88 is equipped with innovative features like Skip Back Sampling, which captures your performances continuously, ensuring no great idea is ever lost. Its expansive 32MB sample RAM is expandable up to 288MB, accommodating your most ambitious projects. The USB connectivity facilitates straightforward sample exchange with your PC or Mac, making it simple to import and export WAV/AIFF files.

Add depth and polish to your compositions with three MFX processors, dedicated reverb, chorus, and a state-of-the-art mastering processor. The Fantom S88 also supports expansion through four optional SRX-Series Wave Expansion Boards, offering endless possibilities for sound customization. Whether you're producing in the studio or performing on stage, the Roland Fantom S88 is engineered to inspire and empower your musical journey.

Key Features:

  • 88-note Progressive Hammer-Action Keyboard
  • Seamless audio and MIDI integration
  • 64MB wave ROM with new Patches and Rhythm Sets
  • 32MB sample RAM (expandable to 288MB) with WAV/AIFF compatibility
  • Dynamic Pad Bank with 16 velocity-sensitive pads
  • Skip Back Sampling for continuous performance capture
  • USB port for easy file exchange with PC or Mac
  • Three MFX processors, 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-S88 88-Key Sampling Workstation Keyboard
Finish Silver
Year 2004
Made In Japan
Categories Workstation Keyboards
Analog / Digital Digital
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Weighted
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through, USB MIDI
Number of Keys 88 Keys
Number of Pads 16 Pads
Polyphony 64 Voices

FAQs

Does the Roland Fantom S88 have weighted keys?

Yes, the Roland Fantom S88 features an 88-key hammer-action keyboard with weighted keys, providing a realistic piano feel suitable for expressive playing.

What type of connectivity options does the Roland Fantom S88 offer?

The Roland Fantom S88 offers MIDI Input, Output, and Through, USB MIDI for computer connectivity, as well as 4 line outputs, a stereo line input, and a 24-bit S/PDIF digital output.

Can the Roland Fantom S88 integrate with external sound libraries?

Yes, the Roland Fantom S88 can integrate with external sound libraries via its USB port for WAV/AIFF file exchange and is expandable with up to four SRX-Series Wave Expansion Boards.

Is the Roland Fantom S88 suitable for live performances?

The Roland Fantom S88 is well-suited for live performances with its 16 velocity-sensitive pads for sample triggering, seamless audio and MIDI integration, and V-LINK feature for video and audio integration.

What is the polyphony capacity of the Roland Fantom S88?

The Roland Fantom S88 has a polyphony capacity of 64 voices, allowing for complex compositions and layered soundscapes without note dropouts.

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/S88 - SoundDemo by magermunson

Roland Fantom-S/S88 - SoundDemo

magermunson

magermunson

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

Roland Fantom-S/S88 - Original Demo

magermunson

magermunson

Video thumbnail for DEMO Roland Fantom S88 by REWO_Channel

DEMO Roland Fantom S88

REWO_Channel

REWO_Channel

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

Roland Fantom-S/S88 - Introduction 2/2

magermunson

magermunson

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland Fantom S88.

Features and functionality

  • The Fantom S88 supports linear sequencing, allowing users to record an entire song in one go, unlike the Fantom 8's pattern-based sequencer.

    Source
  • The Fantom S88 keys can be set to velocity sensitivity through system setup, with options like light, medium, and heavy, impacting note dynamics.

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  • Velocity sensitivity adjustments are found in the 'PART VIEW'/'KEY RANGE' menu, with a range of -63 to +63 for customization.

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  • The Fantom-S model also includes velocity-sensitive pads, useful for varied intensity in performances.

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  • The Roland Fantom S88 includes a deep synthesis engine with 4 oscillators, each capable of using basic waveforms or samples, offering extensive sound design possibilities.

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  • The Zen-Core engine on the Fantom S88 allows for combining virtual analog waves and samples, providing flexibility in creating unique tones.

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  • The Fantom S88 supports a modular effects chain with modulation capabilities, although the analog filter's modulation settings may not be patch-saveable.

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Software and compatibility

  • Users have successfully connected the Fantom 8 to a Mac using a USB cable, though setting MIDI channels correctly is crucial for proper functionality.

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Comparisons

  • The Roland FA series, such as the FA-06/07/08, retains linear sequencing, which is absent in the Fantom 8, making it an alternative for those needing this feature.

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  • Compared to earlier models, the Fantom's current iteration now includes some form of waveshaping, addressing previous limitations in sound manipulation.

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  • The Fantom S88 competes with other performance-oriented synth-workstations like the Yamaha Montage and Korg Nautilus, offering a balance between synthesis and sample playback.

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User experience

  • Transitioning from the Fantom S88 to Fantom 8 may require learning new sequencing methods, as the latter lacks the familiar linear sequencer.

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Use cases and applications

  • For users preferring linear sequencing, integrating the Fantom 8 with a DAW like Garage Band or Ableton can compensate for its pattern-based sequencer limitations.

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  • The Fantom S88's multi-part (16-zone) capabilities enable complex splits and layers, ideal for performance setups requiring diverse sound combinations.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Adjusting the keyboard velocity from a fixed 127 to 'REAL' in system settings allows for dynamic playing, crucial for expressive performances.

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  • Owners have noted that accessing velocity settings requires navigating submenus, indicating a complex interface for new users.

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Critic Reviews

Roland Fantom S & Fantom S88

soundonsound.com

The Roland Fantom S88 dazzles with its sleek design and weighty, responsive keys that enhance playability. Its powerful XV synth engine delivers high-quality sounds, while the extensive sampling features and intuitive sequencer make for a versatile performance tool. However, the convoluted sample memory structure and inability to import existing libraries can frustrate users seeking a streamlined workflow. Despite these drawbacks, the Fantom S88’s rich feature set and robust construction make it a compelling choice for musicians looking to elevate their live performances and production capabilities.

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Genre Usage

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Used With

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thedarklands

thedarklands

Gear IQ 154

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