Roland Introduces FANTOM-0 Series

Roland has introduced the Fantom-O series of synthesizer workstations, three new keyboards that deliver the core power of their Fantom series, but in a lightweight and more affordable format.

Fantom-O offers unlimited sound-making possibilities with Roland’s ZEN-Core, SuperNATURAL, and Virtual ToneWheel Organ technologies, with further expansion available through Roland Cloud.

Features:

  • Sounds and features inherited from the flagship FANTOM series
  • Seamless workflow with no confusing modes
  • Light and durable molded body designs for easy transport
  • Play and produce with thousands of electronic and acoustic sounds powered by Roland’s advanced ZEN-Core and SuperNATURAL technologies
  • New SuperNATURAL pianos with authentic acoustic grand sound and response
  • Virtual ToneWheel Organ with harmonic bar control and quick-fire playability
  • Deep onboard sampling features
  • Scenes contain settings for all 16 layers plus effects and patterns
  • Clip-based sequencing with instant pattern recording and triggering
  • TR-REC sequencer inspired by classic Roland drum machines
  • Color touchscreen, high-resolution knobs, sliders, RGB performance pads, and dedicated synth control section
  • Pitch/mod lever and illuminated pitch and mod wheels
  • Massive DSP power for plenty of polyphony and smooth sound transitions
  • 4×32 USB audio interface and native integration with Logic Pro, MainStage, and Ableton Live
  • Mic input and powerful onboard vocoder
  • Support for Model Expansions, Sound Packs, Sample Packs, and more from Roland Cloud
  • Comes with 15 Wave Expansions and 10 Sound Packs, available for download from Roland Cloud
  • Compatible with FANTOM Scenes that use ZEN-Core, SuperNATURAL, and Virtual ToneWheel Organ sounds

Here’s what they have to say about it:

“Built for non-stop creation, FANTOM-0 lets users shape sounds and realize ideas as fast they come. Using custom creative spaces called Scenes, they can store sounds, patterns, performance layouts, song sections, and more and recall them seamlessly with no gaps or glitches. And with the free-flowing panel layout, RGB performance pads, quick sampling features, and clip-based sequencer, sessions with FANTOM-0 are inspiring, productive, and fun.??

FANTOM-0 slides easily into modern production setups with a built-in 4×32 USB audio interface, and native integration with Logic Pro, MainStage, and Ableton Live provides an interactive experience with touchscreen and hardware control. It’s also possible to combine soft synths with FANTOM-0’s onboard sounds and interface with favorite MIDI hardware via the dedicated MIDI output.?

FANTOM-0 instruments are easy to carry from a home studio setup to rehearsal rooms and performance stages, thanks to molded body designs that are sleek, attractive, and ultra-rugged.The 61-note FANTOM-06 and 76-note FANTOM-07 are equipped with newly developed synth-action keyboards, while the FANTOM-08 comes with 88 weighted-action keys. Other than the keyboards and physical specifications, all FANTOM-0 models offer identical features.?

With Roland Cloud, players can dive deep into the historic and ever-evolving world of Roland synthesizers. Model Expansions infuse FANTOM-0 with the authentic sounds and unique characteristics of the JUPITER-8, JUNO-106, and other vintage icons. Andwith the growing selection of Wave Expansions, Sound Packs, Sample Packs, and more, there’s a steady stream of creative fuel for every musical journey.”

Pricing and Availability

The Roland FANTOM-0 synthesizer keyboard series will be available in the U.S. in April, with the following prices:

  • FANTOM-06: $1,499.99
  • FANTOM-07: $1,799.99
  • FANTOM-08: $1,999.99

46 thoughts on “Roland Introduces FANTOM-0 Series”

  1. 1. Love it!

    2. More than ever, I now don’t understand market placement / user / use case for jupiter x. It seems like it has broadly same capabilities but teeny screen. After touch but only channel and twice the price.
    I was super hyped up for jupiter x before it came out. It’s beautiful. It was my laptop wallpaper. But once it came out, I don’t get it. Thousand of standard Roland sounds on a 2 line screen. I’m uncertain what it’s trying to be for whom :-/

    3. I had roland fa06. Found it to be stuck in between places. It wasn’t really music production other than basic loops, and I didn’t love it for performance as some things were cludgy. Downsized to Juno ds as pure performance (I can adjust volume and octave of split parts directly which is huge bonus), and play with ableton and garage and for production. I wonder if this would be best of both worlds. I’d really need to see how it works for flexible performance jamming.

    4. I wonder if roland fa06 will now be discontinued? It now really doesn’t have reason for existence at that price point.

    5. Even google is now confused whether you’re searching for Ronald fa06, roland fantom-06 or roland fantom-6 😀

    1. To avoid the Google confusing the different Fantom lines, I just type in “Roland Fantom-0 series. I never pulled the trigger on the FA-series, as I never liked how dark the color scheme was on the display. Also did not like the fact that there were very few SuperNatural sounds and that the rest of the presets were just mid-grade PCM sounds.
      The new Fantom-0 series is very different in terms of display screen, controls, sound sources and overall layout.This new Fantom is a MAJOR upgrade….not just in the aforementioned features…but also in terms of a touchscreen(which is really amazing)…considering the immense array of physical controls!
      Also…the DAW-style editing and PC integration is staggeringly excellent!

      1. Thank god, I didn’t keep the FA I purchased last November. It had some really good traits, but also some really bad traits on the other hand. The successor seems to be the big push for light-weight workstations I have been waiting for!

  2. After years of Behringer cloning Roland’s entire back catalog, Roland responds by cloning the voice of Behringer’s social media guy.

  3. Typical Roland to not explain the difference between these and the previous models. Is it just hardware difference?

  4. I have the Roland Fantom 6 and without question it’s reassuring to know workstations are alive and firmly placed in the 21st century. A hard pick if I need to choose between that and my Akai Force.
    Had the FA-06 and I too felt it floating somewhere in the middle of good and better. Sounds where great but trying to access those sounds with a dial sucked. There were some functionality issues I just couldn’t come to terms with . The only thing peeing me off about the Fantom 6 has been the corny way you are allowed to utilize the cluster of assignable knobs and sliders to the left (if you can call them assignable). Actually you can’t do much and that is going through the usual investigative routes with Roland etc. They are NOT flexible and truly assignable as my Kurz PC3k compliment of sliders. Biggest gripe. Done.
    This new ‘MODx’ Fantom is fantastic in that there are physical control and higher spec trade-offs but the net product is there. Like my MODx, I definately crave the Montage especially for the dedicated, physical part access buttons to the right. But the Yamaha offers still ain’t even close to Fantom. It is a monster indeed.

    One more thing: the screen haptics on the Fantom hit the mark. Can’t say the same for Yamaha offerings. Hope the Fantom lite retains that quality.

    1. Thanks for thoughts and perspective!

      One thing I’ve noticed is that Fantom Proper appears to have relative encoders, whereas Fantom-0 seems to have absolute encoders on the left. There’s pros and cons to both… but when it comes to tweaking e.g. ADSR of a loaded patch, mostly cons for absolute encoders I think.

      Understanding Fantom Proper and Fantom 0 are different beasts; can you share how would you:
      1. Transpose or change octave of a split part
      2. Change relative volume of a split part

      That was the #1, almost lone reason I switched to Juno DS over FA06. It felt I had to program patches and menu dive when I wanted to switch the octave of a lower part or change its volumes, as opposed to fairly hands-on approach of Juno DS. I suppose it’s that “performance” vs “workstation” difference…

    1. Just make the MV-8000 or MV-8800 Roland or pass it on to Behringer I’ve already written to make an updated brand new model of because Roland was Stupid for dropping the ball on those units and lost the money ??? Akai pick up and ran with the MPC-X which they stole everything from Roland in the first place.Roland was the first #?at Standalone Dawless Groovbox and should have upgraded the loading time which was a major problem but other than that the MV was an creative work-flow Beast and still is my weapon of choice, Roland was like the Tesla of dawless hardware grooveboxes hardware over software or make a solid hybrid-combo SMH

      1. I’ve been waiting 15 years for a new MV model even bought a new MPC-X and return it because of the sequence page set up, but if Akai had used more of an MV Sequence page work flow I would have kept the MPC-X but all and all I’m a Roland guy

  7. Wow…initially thought this would be a no brainer replacement for my FA-06, but then I read that this doesn’t offer aftertouch either. I don’t get it. Both the Novation BS2 and Arturia Minibrute (a couple of low-end synths) offer aftertouch, but Roland doesn’t think it’s a feature worth adding?? Nuts. Oh well. Guess it wasn’t a no-brainer replacement.

      1. Hi Richard, can you please explain what you do as the absence of aftertouch may be the only thing swaying me from going for this newbie. Thanks Gav

  8. 15 wave expansions + 10 sound packs for free? Permanently? Wow. Sure would be nice if their heavy duty workstation offered the same.

    1. I think most, if not all wave expansions are free for regular Fantom. Not sure about sound packs, but they’re only a $1 anyway.

  10. Currently using an FA08 as my main production keyboard. Mainly due to it’s keybed. For live use I have tricked it into a mode where I can use the pads to select sounds (if I’m using several different in a tune – without loosing voices and not needing to have the first chosen “part” sounding). However using a workstation for making tunes is a thing of the past. It’s much easier to use the MIDI-sequencer in your daw with the FA as a sound source (that is if you are taking it out for live performances) and simply export the MIDI back into the FA.

    Now this Fantom 0 series seems to have more controls than the Fa-series. I’ll look into this further.. if those sliders can be used as drawbars for the organ, then it may be worth it. Downloading banks of organ sounds is kinda stupid. What one need is a way to control the organ on the fly, as closely to the original Hammond as possible. Changing the sound during a tune is what organ players do.. I think it’s a vital part of the illusion of a real organ being present..

    At first I thought this was just a new FA – but if I can get better and more realtime control… then.. hmm

  12. I think it’s a great mid-ship workstation. However, I also observed that Roland is selling sound sets/expansion packs more than ever NI-esque style. Not sure about how I feel about this business model though. IIRC, the 0-Series would not have Jupiter-8, Juno-106, SH-101 and J8-XP sounds, unlike the “full” Fantom, you have to buy them separately :/

    1. The Roland sounds and samples are way less expensive the NI. And with the cloud account you can sample the library in the software before deciding to spend money on it. IMO not the same cash grab vibe as NI.

  13. I never felt that sound sets breathed that much life into anything I’ve paired them with. Most of the time you get variations of a core sound. Equally as often, you get ‘signature’ sounds that sound unsurprisingly like the namesake of fill-in-the-blank. I would imagine most synthheads here roll their own. Sound sets also like to work on themes and milk the holy hell out of them. Yeah, like NI and all…Trap Beats Vol. 1 & 2, Trap Dirty Breaks, Cold Urban Trap, Trap Assassins…you get the picture
    Trap Omnibus 2022

    1. I think it’s really easy to overlook how good the Fantom is. I’d bet you’d be surprised after using one for a week. Don’t get me wrong, you may still decide it’s not for you. But you’d have time to understand how it interacts and fits in with the rest of what’s on the market right now.

    2. I believe Roland is doing quite OK in many of the categories they make products in. In fact they have a lot of succesful product lines. And I believe these will do really well also. So no need to fire anybody there..

      1. I don’t know who’s on their development team old or young but they need to Wake Tha Fuck Up! When does the Bear comes out of Hibernation

    3. Do you even stop to think about what you are posting before hitting “post comment”? A company that has been around for 50 years versus some random post on the Internet. Who is likely more aware of reality? Find your post quite amazing. Do you feel that every item has to relate to you in someway? Is it possible that this synth is not for you or has things that it does that don’t matter to you? Aside from the possibility that you’re just trolling, do you really believe in what you stated? Honest question. Really would like to know.

  17. Reminds me of my first synth, the Roland XP-30. Gives me some nostalgia. Now I have the XV-3080 fully expanded. Still, this seems very appealing to me.

  18. I bought the FA-08 last year, which was getting old. I enjoy it immensely, the keys are great and the basic piano, organ and epiano sounds are good. It’s nice to have it all available with no computer.

    Compared to the FA-08 this has proper organ drawbars, touch screen, zencore synth (so a bit more powerful) but … not that much more. Yes it has more powerful sequencing abilities but who makes songs with a workstation? It’s for performance. The emphasis on add-ons makes me wary when the FA series had free expansion packs available.

  19. This new Roland Fantom-0 series should be attractive to wedding/club band players who have been limping along gigging with aging (and heavy) MOTIFs and Tritons, but can’t afford expensive new Montages, or Kronos. Korg took the first crack at this market with the Nautilus series, but the new Fantom-0’s much lower prices and extra features should help sell a bunch of these.

  20. I sold my minilogue, monologue, ultranova, tr-8s, jd-xi, & electribe e to help pay for the Fantom 6. Oh, and gave back the sub-37 and Kyra on indefinite loan from my best bud. I don’t look back for a second. Sure, it’s nice being surrounded by sexy synth heaven. But at the end of the day, my four workstations being driven by Live and performance controlled by MidiDesigner Pro let me punch out bangers indeed. And my flow is finely tuned now. Nothing at the moment makes me wanna get any deeper in debt. (Ok, I’d spring for a JD-Xa 2.0 in a heartbeat…I’d find money somehow)
    The Fantom workstation sounds fantastic and what Roland has done with the Roland Cloud and Zen ecosystem is the realization of 20 years of trying to join it all together. Kudos Roland.

    Yo Nikola, sorry I haven’t responded to your inquiry on the ability to change octaves and volume on splits. My working situation doesn’t call for those needs so I cannot provide insight. I hope you find you answer!

  21. i definitely like the idea of going to a studio and sitting down at one of those giant 88 key Fantom synths – like a painter goes into the studio and sits in front of their canvas, or an architect goes and sits down at their drafting desk… Its like your entire world is right there and you can just focus on that one thing forever – also it has that ultra-high end kind of feel to it which also sets it apart from other gear.

  22. Anybody think KORG is going to come out with an updated workstation – perhaps a Kronos 3 as a contender against the Roland Fantom? And also, @Rose-Magic Carillon, you sold an Ultranova, Sub-37, Kyra and more and are happy as a clam with the Fantom? The Fantom filled all those empty spots? Exceedingly curious.

    1. Hi Analog Addict!
      The Sub-37 and Kyra were on indefinite loan from my buddy so I didn’t sell those.
      I’d say the Sub got the least use out the plethora. I had it running through a Zoom pedal (that blue one for about $130?) to give it some air. A very in your face sound it does produce.
      Damn, that Kyra is the poster child for company neglect. 8 part multitimbral beast. But the menu diving to squeeze anything out of it sucked tremendously…why? Because you have to scroll through values without a way for direct input to get to where you want. Same goes for the preset selection. Huge mojo killer. It really coulda and shoulda been the Blofeld fully realized. Mega shame.
      The JD-Xi, for me, was the most satisfying and surprising of the bunch. Just a wicked little box that was solid in feel to boot. Once again, scrolling thru the finer points of the engine(s) made me never really go there after poking around. Everything about that thing was really fun truthfully.
      The Ultranova was the most deep synth I found outside the Kurz K series and successors. The real shame with that thing was it was monotimbral. Two part and maybe I would have kept it…hard to part with as I was back and forth on that desire to sell. Should have been 4 or 8 part and I would NEVER have let it go. But Novation really thought that one out in terms of physical editing working seemlessly with the screen and respective synthesis blocks. Elegant.
      The others were great too. My thing was I felt obliged for each synth to have their own stage time in a composition. And then the ones I had most in front of my main working direction had all the attention while the others had little interactions because my back was to them. The workstations were all in front of me. And with 16 multitimbral parts and half way decent programming skills, there was nothing I felt the others contributed that I just couldn’t do without. I feel like workststions get the same bad rap as minivans. Super useful, utilitarian, not as cool looking as the others (well, the Fantom is sexy eye candy for me).
      I don’t use softsynths anymore and I unloaded all of them with the exception of Omnisphere…once again a workstation-esque beast beyond belief. Omnisphere in hardware workstation form? holy shit.
      I enthusiastically believe Roland nailed it with the latest incarnation of Fantom and they have been responding with meaningful updates, fixes, and add-ons…I know no material object is perfect. The Akai Force is neck and neck with Fantom and so much more flexible truthfully…in terms of central hub for external gear sequencing. And that price is insanely WOW!
      To me a workstation is a starship.
      Cheers and pray for peace you all

  25. Whats the difference between Roland Fantom 6 at Au$5149; and Fantom 06 at Au$2349?
    What do you get for double the price?
    Is it the same for 7/07 and 8/08?
    Thx

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