Roland today introduced FANTOM EX, a new flagship synthesizer series designed for professional musicians and producers.
In addition to the FANTOM 6 EX, FANTOM 7 EX, and FANTOM 8 EX models available to new purchasers, current FANTOM owners can expand their instruments with all EX sounds and features through the FANTOM EX Upgrade for sale on Roland Cloud.
FANTOM EX builds on the original’s foundation, supplementing the core feature set with Roland’s Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) engine and numerous sound expansion titles, including the recently developed JX-3P ACB Expansion. New effects and a host of workflow enhancements are also included.
Each FANTOM EX model offers an expansive collection of premium sound engines, including Roland’s ACB, ZEN-Core, V-Piano, SuperNATURAL, and Virtual ToneWheel technologies. Eleven sound expansion titles come as standard, including JUPITER-8, SH-101, and JX-3P ACB Expansions; n/zyme, JD-800, JUNO-106, JUPITER-8, JX-8P, and SH-101 Model Expansions; the German Concert V-Piano Expansion 01; and the SuperNATURAL Acoustic Piano 3 Expansion.
Here’s what they have to say about it:
“FANTOM EX is primed to be the center of any production universe. Users can directly shape sounds and develop musical ideas with a friendly, ergonomic panel filled with buttons, knobs, and sliders. The color touchscreen dynamically changes to support the task at hand, and it’s now possible to personalize the look by importing custom images for the screensaver and startup view.
The deep onboard sampling and composition tools in FANTOM EX support fast sound creation and quick arrangement of song ideas. Multiple workflow options include the classic Roland TR-REC step sequencer, real-time recording with piano roll editing, and 16 RGB pads for triggering sounds, samples, and clips.
FANTOM EX flows effortlessly into any computer-based production setup. There are dedicated modes for popular software platforms, including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, MainStage, Cubase, and Studio One. With the built-in 16×3 audio/MIDI USB interface, users can mix and layer soft synths with hardware sounds, send sequencer parts to computer tracks, route DAW sources through FANTOM EX effects, and more.
The loaded FANTOM EX rear panel supports connections with a wide range of gear. There are XLR combo connectors for mics and instruments and eight 1/4-inch outputs to route sounds to external destinations. MIDI I/O is also available, along with dual CV/Gate outputs for driving modular and analog synths.
Each FANTOM EX model comes equipped with a premium keyboardand aftertouch support. The FANTOM 8 EX offers the ultimate weighted experience with 88 hammer-action keys, while the 61-note FANTOM 6 EX and 76-note FANTOM 7 EX feature semi-weighted synth action.”
The FANTOM EX Upgrade on Roland Cloud allows owners of the original FANTOM 6/7/8 models to outfit their instruments with the newly added EX features, including JUPITER-8, SH-101, and JX-3P ACB Expansions, n/zyme and JD-800 Model Expansions, two new grand pianos, and all other EX enhancements.
Pricing & Availability:
The Roland FANTOM 6 EX, FANTOM 7 EX, and FANTOM 8 EX will be available in the U.S. in April for $3,199.99, $3,699.99, and $4,199.99 respectively.
Those prices can make you choke at first, but line that up against a rig of separate pieces that provide the same powers and it starts feeling more like a bargain. You might like a few outboard things, but the sequencer is well-upgraded and easily integrated with several DAWs. With the new compliment of instruments (and even XLR connectors), what are you missing? Not much. If you like the keybed, it seems like a solid WIN.
“Dearly beloved, we are here to day to join this loony and this synthesizer in really unholy matrimony….”
Are all those stated expansions requiring additional purchases?
No longer are they optional purchases – they’re included with both new Fantom EX models and Fantom models which have been upgraded to EX.
I agree with S-Trigger Dave; these are premium instruments. I have the Fantom 07 which is an incredibly capable midrange instrument and as a throw and go gig machine it’s nearly perfect. The high end Fantoms feel and sound great.
D-50 engine?
included Expansions preinstalled on Board or just over the Roland Cloud to install ?
Since i got rid of my Fantom now i am an EX Fantom owner.
let me fix my bad joke…..
If I sold my old Fantom and bought a new Fantom does that make me an EX Fantom owner who owns a Fantom EX??
LOL. Don’t quit your day job.
If Scooby played this keyboard, would the episode be titled Scooby Doo Meets the Fantom?
TimS how did you know I’m a fan of Scooby Doo?!?!? Synthopia will be sending you an award for the worst joke ever posted. It is a block of US government cheese. 🙂
That was a pretty good joke actually… I was about to give you a ‘Boom-Tishhh!!’
very kind of you, thanks
The only difference between EX and previous version is software that you can download for free anyway
Cletus, there’s probably no D-50 engine because they included the JD-800, which was the next descendant. There’s a lot of crossover in the sound data. They’ve stayed cagey with the D-50 for years when they could easily have sold a beefier D-50 v.2. (The D-70, um, kinda blew.)
Too bad. I have the Cloud D-50 and quite a few patch sets for it. Its one of the most impressive synths I’ve ever played. You get a lot of Roland’s synth history in it.
Since Korg is only making toy musical instruments now, this takes the place of the Kronos.
The OpSix, Modwave, and Wavestate are not toy instruments. But yes, the Fantom EX is a good replacement for a Kronos.
I do like that they allowed first gen Fantom 2019 owners (like me) to have a Fantom EX just through software upgrades. I felt the upgrade was worth the cost and this way I still have the latest Fantom. When Yamaha brought out the Motif ES in 2003, my original Motif 8 was immediately yesterday’s news. It was still the fantastic instrument it had always been, but no longer the “state of the art.” Meanwhile, Yamaha obsoletes the original Montage with the Montage M. However, I do think the redesign of the M makes it a better instrument than the original Montage–plus, they added the AN-X sound engine.