Mind blown. My father in law was one of two pipe organ builders in the U.S. He also tuned pianos and could completely rebuild them. Anything that was necessary. This is the first time I could look at a unit on his terms. What seemingly infinite parameters he could affect. This instrument is just amazing!
Your video is the best on the Fantom since I am a pianist who doesn’t know much about synths and am looking into the Fantom as entry into synths. Thank you for the amazing video.
@@PianoManChuck Yes Sir! I always look for the bigger things, it's looking so commanding, stunning, gigantic infront of you! I think, the souls who played the grand piano never settle for the smaller sizes of the keyboards!😊
If you want a full-blown workstation, than this is a good choice, although a lot of the "new" Zencore sounds are actually from Roland's old library and are very similar to those on the JP-80 or Integra-7. The on-board sequnecer is better than on the Yamaha Montage and it's newer than a Korg Kronos, although you can argue about which of these three sounds best. Personally, I think that the Montage is actually the best sounding, but the on-board sampling and sequencer is much less powerful than those on the Fantom. If you just want a stage piano, than you can get the same V-Piano and sampled piano sounds, same PHA-50 action and same customization on the Roland RD-2000 for about $2,500. It also has hundreds of other sounds, but lacks the workstation and overall sound design power of the Fantom, and has a worse screen. It's a lot lighter, though.
Lewis Alexander - there is some overlap with those other products, but not all of their features are contained Fantom(yet). Sound-wise, only the V-Piano engine from the RD-2000 is in Fantom. There were initially zero SN Acoustic sounds from the Integra/FA/JP80; now about 65 variations of about 20 SN Acoustic sounds have been subsequently added with an update. The Scene thing is no big deal, just basically a 16-part Multi and actually pretty routine compared with the oddball Registration structure on the JP-80. The only unique thing about the Fantom Scenes is having the song/patterns saved with the Scene.
@@BrunodeSouzaLino That was Yamaha' plan, and it makes some sense to me. But they got a lot of criticism for not having a full-featured sequencer on-board, and they've been improving the internal sequencer in later OS releases. If an internal sequencer is important to you, than the Fantom's and Krono's is still better.
@@geoffk777 Yamaha owns Steinberg. They don't need to offer that onboard experience, as they bundle a copy of Cubase on every Montage and MODX they sell.
@@BrunodeSouzaLino Once again, I understand your point, but many musicians demanded a better internal sequencer as soon as the Montage came out. Some people use it on stage and don't want to use a computer live. And some just prefer working inside the keyboard. The DAW integration on the Montage is great, but not everyone is happy with using it instead of a better internal sequencer.
Great InFo Mr. 'PMC' 1 >How is the 'Rhodes' Sound on this Big Baby? 2 >How does the Key Action & Overall Quality compare to the Kawai MP11/SE Thx A Lot
The monitors are irrelevant because you're hearing the Roland recorded directly from its line outputs. My voice is the only thing that's recorded with a microphone.
How does this piano key action feel compared with the Yamaha Montage 88? I like the Montage's fast responsiveness and a bit lighter sensitive touch... wondering if the Roland is heavier (as was fantom x8 I used to have).
The Roland Fantom use PHA-50 hybrid wood/plastic action which features escapement and a progressive hammer action keybed which means the weight increases from light to left like that of an actual grand piano. The Montage uses a Balanced Hammer Action which means that the weight is not as heavy as a piano but not too light and all the keys have the same weight to it.
Hey Chuck, Thanks for the video. I purchase an MP11SE and to be honest, I have not seen anything that compares to it with respect to pianos and feel of the keyboard. I also have a Kronos 88 and a PC3K8. Can you do a video showing the orchestral sounds for this board? Strings, horns, woodwinds etc. Thinking about losing the PC3K8 and maybe the Kronos in swap for this board. Thanks.
@@davidfaustino4476 You have computers that cost 1/10 of the price of a Korg Kronos, don't have a SSD and boot faster. Would you like a 7 grand computer that took almost 3 minutes to boot? how about a phone?
FINALLY!!! Chuck, I have been waiting for you to review a Roland with the PHA50 keybed. Could you please give us your honest comparison of the PHA50 keybed vs the keybed in the KAWAI MP11SE? Ho different do they feel. How close do each of the keybeds come to a Grand piano.
The GrandFeel action on the MP11 is still the best, but you pay a price for it in weight and size. The PHA50 is pretty good, and most players would be satisfied with it. You really need to try them yourself to decide which suits you best, as everyone is different. Yamaha's actions are pretty good as well.
Hi, what is your opinion about rd-2000 vs fantom? My focus is for main board (AP, EP, Strings and pads with hammer action) but the screen of fantom is fantastic.
@@Kougeru I doubt that they'll do a ZenCore version of the RD any time soon, as the ZenCore sounds really aren't that much improved. If piano is what you want, than the RD is fine, but be aware that the screen has a very limited viewing angle, and the panel lettering is grey-colored and hard to read. If you can live with that and don't care about the workstation features, than the strings, brass and pads on the RD aren't much worse than the Fantom, and the acoustic pianos and action are identical.
Chuck I have a question. I am going to get anew keyboard sometime this year. Hopefully in the spring. I have been doing a lot of research and I find that I really like the Kurzweil K2700. But after watching this video here and your brief review about just the piano sounds, I am wondering if I should spend another $1000 and get the Fantom or should I stay with the Kurzweil K2700? I have also watched your video review on the K2700 and it is amazing. Currently I have a Roland XP80 that needs repairing to get it back playing again. I like Roland. But I am not sold on them. I bought a Roland FA07 on black Friday and when I picked it up and brought it home and played on it, I was not impressed. Should I have been? I just wasn't happy with it, so I returned it. Would I feel the same with the Fantom even though it is the top of the line flagship keyboard and costs $4000, which is a lot more than the FA07. I know and realize that each person has a preference and one person might like one better than another person. I get it, that it is an individual preference thing. But because of your videos and your reviews on many keyboards, I value your opinion. I know you said good things about the Fantom and the K2700. But overall, which would you choose between the two for your personal self? Thank you for your reply.
Thanks for your trust, but its been a very long-standing strict policy to NOT make personal recommendations. You're the one playing it and probably already have a good idea of what you want. See the NOTE paragraph at this link: ru-vid.comabout
@@PianoManChuck Thanks Chuck. I had not read your disclaimer comment prior to commenting to you. My bad. Had I read it, I wouldn't have asked the question. I fully understand where you are coming from and I have no problem with that. Thanks for replying, even if it wasn't as I had hoped. You still do the best video keyboard reviews of any that I have watched. Keep up the great work sir.
Nice video, just concentrating on one aspect and covering it in detail...I might add though, that at about 70 pounds, this keyboard may be "less" than the older V-piano, but it is still quite heavy. Weight, of course, is all relative to what the keyboard is being used for: if it is sitting in a studio, once it is moved into position, it doesn't matter how much it weighs, but if someone is gigging it, then it does become a factor.
The original V Piano is more powerful than the version in Roland Fantom etc., as it has a lot more parameters for editing and different models. I also think the original V Piano is still more expressive than that on the current Fantom (and RD2000) line. The ebay prices for the original V Piano are actually quite reasonable nowadays as well - the only drawback is that it is ridiculously bulky and heavy, and totally unsuitable for gigging! It was a flawed design but an amazingly expressive instrument.
Man your video reviews are so real and so informative. I really love your presentation style! From a very neutral standpoint, between the Roland Fantom 8 and the Yamaha Montage 8, which one would you buy for yourself?
It's a tough call. If the workstation features are important to you 'the sequencer and user sampling), than the Fantom is ahead here. But many of the non-piano acoustic sounds on the Montage are better in my opinion. The piano sounds are excellent on both and the action is excellent on both. If you're spending this much money, you really need to try both of them for yourself and decide for yourself. The Montage does have an excellent FM engine for 80s style electric piano sounds. But it doesn't have the physical modelling of the Fantom. Other options are the Roland RD-2000 stage piano, which as the same PHA-50 action and V-Piano engine as the Fantom. Or the Yama MODX 8, which has most of the features of the Montage in a much lighter and cheaper package. The Yamaha CP-88 stage piano and Kawai MD-11 are also worth trying.
Interesting view of the PHA-50 action. I found the action very heavy and sure enough, when I measured the weight required to depress a key, it was very heavy, over 60% heavier than a typical acoustic piano. The black keys were a lot heavier than white keys. I could not play a chromatic scale as fast on the Fantom 8 as I could on an acoustic piano. The sounds, however, were very impressive.
Change the velocity setting (or key action setting... whatever they call it) to a Lighter setting... there's a bunch of different settings to try, one of them will be perfect for you!
@@PianoManChuck Thanks for the reply. There are settings for light, medium (default) and heavy. Also for the curve. However, all these do is to affect how hard you have to play to get full volume so to speak. What it does not really address is the actual feel. So, when playing pianisimmo, what you feel is the effect of the physical weight of the key action; there will always be a minimum force you need to get the sound out and this is my problem. I have a Roland A80, a MIDI master keyboard from the late 80s early 90s. That also is heavy and I have played around with curves etc. for ages to no avail. The feel of the PHA-50 is pleasant, just too heavy for me. It will be interesting to try a Fantom 7. Have you and if so, any impressions?
You should install the supernatural pianos from the rd series and give those a run as the fantom supports the SuperNatural engine also. I find those to be the best.
I bought the RD-2000 last year and digging it, it has the same keybed. It also has the same V-Engine and the SuperNatural engine so most the piano sounds are the same. The Fantom 8 is enticing, but it is bigger and weighs ten+ pounds more, so as an old guy moving it would be too much, but I would like a keyboard workstation at some point.
@@DojoOfCool First of all, I am happy for you, and the RD-2000 seemed like a very capable board when I checked it out even under really shitty conditions at Guitar Center. To me, the action felt way heavier than a grand piano. Is it close to an upright? Or am I just spoiled with the action on the grand pianos that I have used?
@@allanwind295 I love the action on my RD 2000 as well. How long did you try the RD2000 for? I also have a RD 800 and it took me about a week to get use to and love the keybed of the RD2000.
That's the combo I currently have (+ Spectrasonics Keyscape!!). As a composer, probably replacing the VPC1 soon..and the Fantom is a top contender for me. Vivo S9 is an option too.
I have Studiologic SL88Grand and Pianoteq. work very, very well together. I looked at the VPC1 for a good bit but wanted a few more controls for other sounds.
is there physical modeling for other sounds, rhodes, wurli, clav, mallet sounds, or organ? Also, are the piano sounds split between EITHER modeling OR samples, or are there sounds that utlize both? ( i dont just mean layering one of each)
The physical modeling engine is only for acoustic piano and is not used for any other sounds, even electric pianos or clavs. The Fantom does have Virtual Analog modeling of old analog synthesizers, however. The ZenCore sampled sounds supposedly do have some physical modeling enhancements. You can also download Roland's older SuperNatural sampled piano sounds as well. But you can't really control what physical modeling is added to the sampled sounds or change them in a useful way (besides the usual effect send and synthesizer modifications). Only the V-Pianos have "Piano Designer" alterations like lid position, string resonance, etc. You can layer V-Piano and ZenCore pianos and adjust the level of each individually (or even by individual key on the V-Pianos). But that's the only way to mix them together.
Ronald is playing lazy they need to go sample some new pianos etc and add to what they already have. For years they are bringing those old pianos that are bright and lack depth in the mid range. They need to add some warmer and phatter pianos to give another option. I love roland for pianos from early on the 80's they had the best pianos of any keyboard but Yamaha and even Korg gone ahead on that. They spent all that money and time working on the sequencer which they should have used to develop bew sounds. Everyone uses a DAW these days to make tracks so that's waste of time Nd money.
Jim Z yeah! I said the same thing! I own a Roland V Piano and trust me, they're only using the name and reputation of the V Piano here as a sales pitch! They may have included some of the editing features found on the V Piano, but certainly not the modeled piano sounds that are found in V Piano. I may go so far as to say they may have created a watered down version. Currently the Yamaha CP88 & CP73 pianos are 100 times better, and it certainly don't even come to the Montage!
Totally agree! The Fantom's pianos are so thin and lifeless. Most Fantom demos emphasize "V-Piano," but, although they may possess the modeling technology, to an extent, but they don't have the resonance and full-bodied character of the original V-Piano. A huge embarrassment. All of the "V" and ZenCore pianos sound basically alike, with minor EQ'ing differences. Great layout and interface. Good for synth players. The pianos and eps are horribly dated.
I'm very new to Logic being a Cakewalk user for years. Got to Say the integration between the Fantom 8 and Logic is seamless. Learning curve of Logic and the integration between Fantom and Logic or Mainstage was very intuitive. Now I had some issues with the control surface but I'm using the Mac and not Fantom to control the DAW so its a non issue for me. Also new to the Fantom 8 have the G8 prior, upgraded to the Montage, switch to Kronos 2 and then finally back to a Fantom. The Kronos had the best sounds, but apart from that the Fantom had the best action and was the most intuitive. Midi on the Kronos was just horrible, so it was a nightmare to use with Logic and my VST. So if you're looking for a standalone machine Kronos is the best bet (poor action aside). If you're looking for a great keyboard that has decent sounds that has a great feel and works seamlessly with Logic the Fantom is one for you.
@@chrisj777 Have you tried recording automation with MIDI, like mapping mod wheel to filter cutoff, record midi and see if Logic takes it in Automation Write mode? Thank you
Nice review for fantom piano. I have a fantom. I use only headphones for fantom. Key-action is really nice but sounds is not cool. A.C. piano sounds are thin, artificial, old. It's boosted bass, low quality sounds in Z-core, V-piano, even SuperNATURAL. And there are white noise in headphones, fantom ver.1.05. I think fantom has good key action, nice sequencer, visualization to use but sounds is poor.
People are dying to try it! Seriously though, its 61 lbs for the 88-key version, which isn't bad consdering their superb PHA-50 key action, combined with the strong materials they use in the casing.
