Roland Fantom 8 Keyboard Synthesizer

Since 2001, Roland’s FANTOM workstations have been on the cutting edge of keyboard technology. A new breed of keyboard workstation that will supercharge your music production and live performances. Equipped with inspiring production tools and deep computer integration, FANTOM-8 is your creative hub, designed to provide an intuitive, streamlined, and unconstrained music creation process. Its advanced, expandable 16-part multitimbral sound engine delivers Roland’s premium acoustic and electronic sounds, along with the control to combine, morph, and sculpt them any way you want. The FANTOM’s purposeful design is built into a roadworthy metal chassis with high-grade components and Roland’s acclaimed 88-note, aftertouch-sensitive, PHA-50 progressive hammer-action keybed with escapement.

Roland FANTOM-8 88-key Synthesizer at a Glance:

• Seamless workflow with no confusing modes
• Expandable sound engine delivers authentic electronic and acoustic sounds
• Fresh hybrid sounds combining modern PCM, virtual analog, and a routable analog filter
• V-Piano technology for stunning realism and expression
• Scenes contain settings for all 16 layers, plus effects and patterns
• Deep integration with DAWs and softsynths and 16×3 stereo audio interface
• Multitrack clip-based sequencing with instant pattern recording and triggering
• TR-REC sequencer as found on classic Roland drum machines
• High-resolution controls with dedicated synth control section
• Massive DSP power for plenty of polyphony and smooth sound transitions
• All new 88-note hammer-action keyboard with aftertouch

A formidable sonic arsenal

Fortified with an arsenal of inspiring, authentic electronic, acoustic, and hybrid sounds; the powerful, versatile, and expandable FANTOM sound engine draws on decades of industry-leading Roland technology, letting you combine various synthesis and sampling technologies along with FANTOM’s onboard analog filter for new cutting-edge sounds and take advantage of new sound expansions and capabilities as they become available. FANTOM nails coveted instruments from Roland’s vaunted legacy of genre-defining synths, while blazing new synthesis frontiers. At FANTOM’s core are Roland’s custom Behavior Modeling Chips, powering the instrument with smooth, precise control, massive polyphony, and full patch remain for seamless transitions.

Creativity without compromise

With no confusing modes, technical limitations, or sonic compromises to derail your creative process, FANTOM-8 fuels your creativity with its fast, fluid workflow. FANTOM’s creative process facilitates and enhances the way modern musicians work by providing intuitive compositional tools, instant-recall creative environments, and deep integration with your DAW. Forget about having to remember which features work in which mode — FANTOM is always in Creative mode.

Make the Scene

Whenever you enter your creative zone, FANTOM is ready with custom creative spaces called Scenes that contain your sounds, clips, patterns, and performance layouts — all triggerable with a single touch. A Scene can be a complete song, a segment of a song, or merely a starting point with your sounds arranged just the way you want them. You can chain Scenes together or swap them out instantly — with no glitches or gaps.

Updated classic pattern sequencer

FANTOM is a self-contained, 16-part multitimbral music composition platform designed for rapid creation and fluid arrangement. You can create patterns on FANTOM in a variety of ways, including step- and real-time polyphonic sequencing or the TR-REC pattern sequencer — ideal for rhythmic parts — as on Roland’s iconic drum machines. The cornerstone of dance music is the step-sequencer, none more classic than the 16-step TR-REC found in drum machines like the TR-808, TR-909, and the TR-8S. FANTOM’s onboard TR-REC sequencer is completely updated with sub-steps for ratcheted parts, motion control for per-step automation, and support for chords.

Clip-based sequencing

Also at your fingertips are 16 RGB performance pads, real-time recording with piano-roll editing, and a grid for recording and launching clips. You can use any or all of these tools at any time to realize your musical goals. Build up tracks easily and quickly by arranging groups of clips. Record drums, bass lines, pads, and melodies into clips and trigger them separately or in Scenes. This is an expeditious way to compose — and perfect for triggering backing tracks onstage.

Sonic superpower

The FANTOM synth engine is based on Partials. Each Partial comprises a discrete synth voice, complete with oscillator, filter, amplifier, dual LFO, and effects. You can pack up to four Partials into a single Tone, and up to 16 Tones in a Scene, which makes possible mind-bogglingly complex layers, splits, and sequenced parts. With all this firepower, you can focus on creating music, not conserving processing power. You won’t have to concern yourself with how many effects you can use or if you can change sounds seamlessly without affecting complex patches. With the massive power available in FANTOM’s engine room, you can run all 16 parts concurrently with all available effects and full patch remain.

Stunningly authentic sounds

To achieve its stunningly authentic acoustic and electronic sounds, FANTOM runs digital modeling, sampling, and analog synthesis technologies simultaneously. You can sample your own sounds and trigger up to two gigabytes of loops and one-shots from the onboard performance pad matrix. For extra warmth and grit, there’s also an analog filter that’s completely routable, and you can even mix your favorite soft synths with FANTOM’s internal sounds. For countless composers cross-genre, the piano is the heart of the creative process. FANTOM incorporates Roland’s advanced V-Piano technology that meticulously models the components of the instrument and lets you fine tune them to craft pianos that match your personal taste and respond just like their acoustic counterparts.

Uber playability

After sonic quality, there’s nothing more important than playability — the way an instrument feels under your fingers; how it helps you express your musical intentions. Roland’s acclaimed 88-note PHA-50 keybed combines wood and molded materials for superior feel and durability, enhancing the sensation that you’re playing a fine acoustic grand piano. With authentic progressive hammer action and escapement, the FANTOM-8 keyboard communicates every nuance of expression in your playing. Whether you’re playing hard or barely tickling the keys, you’re in control on a responsive keyboard that reacts to every nuance of your touch and technique. And it’s also equipped with something serious synthesists covet: aftertouch. With FANTOM-8, you can use assignable aftertouch to add a bit of tasty vibrato or other modulation or to your sound without taking your hands off the keys. And speaking of modulation…

Add motion to static sounds

Low-frequency oscillators add motion to static sounds. Having more LFOs gives you more modulation possibilities and more ways to explore new sonic vistas. With two LFOs per Partial, four Partials per Tone, and 16 Tones per Scene, FANTOM gives you an astonishing 128 LFOs per voice to work with. FANTOM’s Step LFOs have 16 steps of beat-synced automation with 35 curve choices per step. This lets you easily create long evolving passages, animated modular-synth-type textures, and immersive soundscapes with deeply intricate movement.

Intuitive hands-on control

To control a workstation this powerful, FANTOM offers a cockpit packed with an array of knobs and faders for immediate, intuitive real-time hands-on control, with high resolution for creamy-smooth filter sweeps and parameter fine-tuning. FANTOM even features a dedicated synthesizer section with oscillator, filter, and envelope controls, along with buttons and pads for triggering and sequencing. For enhanced expression, FANTOM lets you connect 3rd-party USB controllers to any of its three USB ports. And while FANTOM provides enormous creative potential, you may also want to integrate analog synths or drum machines into your rig. FANTOM features two sets of CV/Gate outputs so you can sync tempo or play them from FANTOM’s keyboard or its pattern sequencers.

Masterful connectivity

While FANTOM is jaw-droppingly powerful in and of itself, its beastly power grows exponentially when connected to other equipment such as computers or analog synthesizers. FANTOM’s two mic inputs and onboard 16×3 stereo audio interface let you record studio-quality sound and route it to and from your DAW. FANTOM is also a masterful MIDI control surface for your DAW and plug-ins, letting you adjust parameters right from FANTOM’s touchscreen. Mix and layer soft synths with FANTOM’s internal sounds, and route them through FANTOM’s analog filter section.

Your music. On steroids.

The more you get into your FANTOM, the more you’ll appreciate its superior design and the thoughtful details. From its customizable RGB-lit controls and buttons to the subtle curvature of the top panel that lets you see rear-connection legends from your playing position, FANTOM is built for one purpose: to supercharge your musical creativity. Whether it resides in your home or commercial studio or is part of your touring rig, FANTOM is built for the long haul with a robust metal chassis, premium components, and balanced connections to stand up to the rigors of professional use. The Roland FANTOM-8: it’s the ideal vehicle for your musical explorations.

What Roland Says…

FANTOM is a new kind of creative hub, made for rapid production and expressive performance. Inspiring onboard production tools and deep computer integration fuel an experience that feels intuitive, natural, and full of possibilities. The expandable sound engine delivers our best electronic and acoustic sounds, with the depth and control to combine and shape them in exciting new ways. And it’s built from premium materials, with a purposeful design, and the best 61-, 76-, and 88-note keyboards we’ve ever made.

Creation

At every turn, FANTOM fulfills the need to create. Its smooth, rapid workflow has no confusing modes, frustrating technical limits, or trade-offs with sound quality. FANTOM’s creative process reflects how today’s musicians work, with fluid composition tools, instantly recallable creative environments, and deep computer integration.

Make A Sense

When the creative juices are flowing, there should be no barriers. With FANTOM, you won’t compromise your sound or suffer workarounds due to outdated technical limits. And forget worrying about what features work in which mode. FANTOM is always in full-on creative mode and your workflow stays consistent, no matter what.

Everything. Always.

You shouldn’t have to wonder how many effects are available, or if you can change sounds seamlessly without limiting complex patches. With FANTOM, you can focus on playing music, not rationing processing power. And with so much power under the hood, you can run all 16 parts with all available effects—simultaneously—with full patch-remain for seamless transitions. It’s like having the power of two complete FANTOMs in one.

Sound

FANTOM’s flexible and expandable sound engine leverages decades of research and development, dishing out inspiring and authentic electronic, acoustic, and hybrid sounds by the bucketload. Combine different synthesis and sampling technologies along with the onboard analog filter for new and unusual sounds—and take advantage of new sound expansions and capabilities as they arrive.

One Engine. Infinite Possibilities

Drawing from over four decades of genre-defining sounds, FANTOM’s expandable sound engine nails our classic synths but pushes into new sonic territory as well. Our custom Behavior Modeling Chips power FANTOM’s core, with smooth and precise control, loads of polyphony, and full patch remain. And FANTOM is part of an expandable platform, with new sounds and new possibilities coming.

Authentic, Evocative Sounds

FANTOM runs multiple synthesis technologies simultaneously, for authentic acoustic and electronic sounds, both modern and classic. You can also sample your own sounds and trigger up to 2 GBs worth of loops and one-shots from the pad matrix. There’s a fully routable analog filter for extra warmth and grit, and you can even mix soft synths with FANTOM’s internal sounds.

The Piano Is Key

Considered by many as the king of instruments, piano sits at the heart of the creative process for composers across a range of musical genres. FANTOM uses our V-Piano technology for pianos that don’t just sound real, they feel real. Craft pianos that play and respond like their acoustic counterparts and match your personal taste.

Sonic Superpowers.

FANTOM’s synth engine is based on partials. Each partial starts with a discrete synth voice–complete with oscillator, filter, amplifier, dual LFO and effects. You can have up to four partials in a single tone, and a Scene can contain up to 16 tones for complex layers, splits, and sequenced parts.

LFOMG

Low-frequency oscillators add movement to static sounds. More LFOs mean more modulation possibilities and more ways to explore new ground. FANTOM has two LFOs per partial, four partials per tone—and since you can stack 16 tones, that’s a staggering 128 LFOs per voice. And FANTOM’s Step-LFOs have 16 steps of beat-synced automation with 37 curve choices per step. This creates long evolving passages, modular-style animated textures, and sounds with deeply intricate movement.

Playability

After sound quality, what’s more important than playability? The way an instrument feels under your fingers, and how it helps you express yourself, is vital. FANTOM focuses on the experience of playing, from its immersive keyboard action to its arsenal of performance controls.

Players Paradise

FANTOMs have our best keyboards ever, including the acclaimed PHA-50 on the 88-note model and a brand new semi-weighted action on the 61- and 76-note models. Each feels solid, precise, and supremely playable, with the expressive capabilities of aftertouch. We make our own keyboards to exacting standards, each model an evolution of the previous generation.

High-Res, Hands-On Control.

FANTOM has plenty of knobs and sliders for intuitive and immediate control, with high-resolution for buttery-smooth sweeps and fine adjustments. There’s a dedicated synthesizer section with oscillator, filter, and envelope controls, along with numerous buttons and pads for triggering and sequencing.

Go Ahead. Express Yourself.

There are many ways to play expressively on keyboards. Some players like levers, some like wheels, some prefer pedals, while others prefer aftertouch. With FANTOM, you can use any of them—or all of them. You can even connect USB controllers to any of FANTOM’s three USB ports for enhanced expression.

Sequencing

FANTOM is a complete musical composition platform that excels at fast creation and fluid arrangement. You have RGB pads, a classic TR-REC style pattern sequencer, real-time recording with piano-roll editing, and a grid for recording and launching clips. Use any or all, whenever you want.

From Spark To Fire

Different musical genres need diverse production styles and specialized tools. You can create patterns on FANTOM in a variety of ways including real and step-time polyphonic sequencing, or the TR-REC pattern sequencer—perfect for rhythmic parts—as used on our iconic drum machines.

Clip-Based Sequencing.

A great way to build up a track is by arranging clips that contain musical patterns. Drums, basslines, pads, and other patterns can be recorded into clips that you can trigger individually, or in groups. It’s a lightning-fast way to compose and ideal for triggering backing tracks during live performance.

TR-Rec Step-Sequencer.

The foundation of dance music is the step-sequencer, specifically the 16-step TR-REC variety found on our drum machines like the TR-808 and TR-909. FANTOM’s built-in TR-REC sequencer makes it quick and easy to create rhythmic parts and is modernized with support for polyphonic parts.

Connectivity

While FANTOM is powerful by itself, its powers grow exponentially when connected to other gear like computers or analog synthesizers. FANTOM can control software synthesizers directly from the touchscreen, drive modular and analog synthesizers from its dual CV/Gate outputs, and is also a high-quality audio interface capable of 16 stereo outputs and 3 stereo inputs.

Computer Expert

FANTOM doesn’t just work with computers—it fully integrates. It’s a high-quality 16×3 stereo audio interface and can control DAWs and plugins from its touchscreen. It can integrate soft synths into Scenes, and send parts composed on FANTOM directly to your DAW.

Deep Soft Synth Integration.

Customize your sound by integrating your plugin soft synths with FANTOM. Control Apple Logic, Garage Band, and Mainstage, and adjust soft synth parameters right from FANTOM’s touchscreen. Mix and layer soft synths with FANTOM’s internal sounds, and then route them through FANTOM’s analog filter section.

Dula CV/Gate.

While FANTOM provides enormous creative potential, you may also want to integrate analog synths or drum machines with your setup. FANTOM has two sets of CV/Gate outputs so you can sync tempo or play them from FANTOM’s keyboard or its many pattern sequencers.

Design

A clean and intuitive layout, premium materials, and our best-ever keyboard action. The result? An instrument that begs to be played.

It’s The Little Things.

The more you get to know FANTOM, the more you appreciate the thoughtful details that simplify your life as a keyboardist. From the slight curvature of the top-panel labels for rear connections, to the informative RGB-lit controls and buttons, FANTOM facilitates creativity and eliminates frustration.

Everything In Its Place.

FANTOM is designed to propel the creative process and play beautifully. The placement of each control, and how it interacts with the creative heart inside FANTOM, has been thoroughly considered with today’s workflow in mind.

Built To Last.

FANTOM is made of tough metal with high-grade components throughout. Everything about it is sturdy and built to withstand the perils of live gigs and life on the road.

• 16-part multitimbral music workstation keyboard
• 88-note, aftertouch-sensitive, PHA-50 progressive hammer-action keybed with escapement
• Fluid workflow no confusing modes, technical limitations, or sonic compromises
• Expandable ZEN-Core sound engine delivers authentic acoustic and electronic instruments
• Modern hybrid sounds combining PCM, virtual analog, and routable analog filter
• Roland’s V-Piano technology for breathtaking realism and expression
• Polyphony: ZEN-Core: 256 notes; V-Piano Engine: unlimited
• Scenes contain parameters for all 16 layers, plus patterns and effects
• Deep integration with your DAW and plug-ins
• Onboard 16×3 stereo audio interface
• 2 XLR-1/4″ combo mic/line/instrument inputs
• Clip-based multitrack sequencing with pattern recording and triggering
• Updated TR-REC sequencer inspired by classic Roland drum machines
• High-resolution controls with dedicated synth control section
• Massive DSP for robust polyphony and seamless patch transitions
• LCD touchscreen
• 128 LFOs
• Onboard FX engine
• Balanced XLR main outputs; 6 x 1/4″ outs
• MIDI In/Out/Through
• USB-to-Host; USB-to-Device; 3 external device USB ports
• 2 sets of CV/Gate outputs
• 4 pedal jacks

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