Roland Fantom 8 EX – the Synth and Software Review

Roland’s top-of-line keyboard workstation gets a big upgrade.

Roland set its aims very high with the release of the Fantom 8 EX update. This flagship synthesizer workstation already had plenty of very powerful features. With the latest EX expansion, Roland added new modeled vintage synthesizers, more ZEN-core and n/zyme presets, a suite of realistic grand pianos, new sound processing capabilities, and a whole lot more. 

Roland’s Fantom line includes the Fantom 6 EX (61 synth-action keys), the Fantom 7 EX (76 synth-action keys), and the Fantom 8 EX (88 piano-hammer action keys). The latter is what Roland sent us for this article, but aside from the keyboard and the weight and size, all three synthesizers are identical. 

Let’s get physical

One of the first things that struck me about the Fantom 8 EX is its weight and size – at 65 pounds, the Fantom 8 EX took some muscle to lift and move around my studio. I highly recommend using a sturdy keyboard stand!

Among the reasons for the weight is that the hammer-action keys are made out of wood, as on a real piano. The keybed has the action and response that many ivory-ticklers will appreciate. If you’re the type of player who is used to the quick response and action of an unweighted synth-action keyboard, you might opt for the Fantom 6 or 7.

The main chassis is crafted out of aluminum, which gives the Fantom 8 a road-worthy sturdiness, however, the sides and back are made of plastic, which could get scratched and damaged more easily. Aesthetically, the Fantom 8 EX is a strikingly good-looking synth that is bound to turn heads on stage or in a studio.

The rear of the unit presents a multitude of analog inputs and outputs. In addition to the 1/4″ headphone jack and standard stereo outputs (offered as both 1/4″ and balanced XLR jacks), there are two Stereo Sub outs, two Analog Filter outs, two sets of 1/8″ CV and Gate outs for controlling external Eurorack-style modules, and two combo 1/4″ balanced XLR mic/line inputs for connecting external sources to both the internal processing and the built-in sampler.

On the digital side, in addition to the MIDI DIN connections, there’s a USB B port that carries MIDI and audio data to/from a computer, a USB A port for external memory expansion such as a thumb drive, and three additional External Device USB A ports for connection to devices such as a Roland A-49 or an A-PRO series MIDI Controller.

Lastly, up to four external pedals can be connected to the Fantom — a hold pedal, as well as three Control pedals with support for up to 1024 steps of resolution!

The top panel of the Fantom 8 EX offers an equally impressive selection of knobs, buttons, and sliders as well as a central touch-screen display.

The far left side features two assignable control wheels (one with a standard pitch-bend central spring detent, and the other a standard Mod Wheel) in addition to the traditional Roland combo pitch bend/mod joystick. There are also a number of performance-focused buttons to enable performance functions such as the arpeggiator, portamento, transposition, and chord memory.

To the right of the wheels, an 8-slider/pan/button mixer section can control up to 16 instrument channels for massive layering capabilities.

In the middle of the unit, a color touch-screen is where most of the instrument navigation and tweaking takes place. The screen is surrounded by an array of control/parameter buttons, as well as six knobs that can be assigned to control a number of live performance parameters. 

While the touch sensitivity seems fine, I found myself gravitating toward the navigation buttons for more precision. A bigger screen would be welcome for those of us with larger fingers, even if it would raise the price.

On the right side of the screen, an “analog-style” series of pre-assigned knobs allow for real-time adjustments of the oscillator, filters, envelopes and effects.

Lastly on the lower right side of the front panel is where you’ll find the pattern sequencer controls and 16 Ableton Live-styled RGB LED colored pads. A row of 16 buttons below it allows for quick navigation to the various instrument categories such as Pianos, Strings, Bass, Winds, Synths, etc.

While at first glance all of these controls can feel quite overwhelming, I was happy to discover that the Fantom 8 EX’s navigation and functions are fairly intuitive and logical, although some hefty menu-diving is necessary to access the less common functions.

Let’s get analog

Now for the important stuff – how does the Fantom 8 EX sound?

With the release of the EX software update, Roland has added new sonic power to the Fantom. Analog Circuit Behaviour (ACB) is a proprietary technology that aims for a faithful reproduction of the sound of some of Roland’s most admired classic synths. It relies on detailed analysis of each analog circuit, down to the component level.

One of Roland’s most coveted vintage synthesizers is the Jupiter 8, which had already been modeled using the ZEN-Core engine (included in the Fantom 8 EX). In my tests, the ACB version delivered a much higher level of fidelity to the original instrument. To my ears, the ACB Jupiter 8 sounded more complex and rich than its ZEN-Core counterpart.

In addition to all of the standard Jupiter 8 virtual controls, Roland includes Circuit Mod and Age parameters to fine-tune exactly how vintage the model can sound. While the differences are subtle and can be quite subjective, in my opinion, ACB makes the synth feel alive with sonic characteristics that its ZEN-Core counterpart doesn’t possess.

Decide for yourself by listening to this audio example where I played the ACB version and then the ZEN-Core equivalent of the same patch. 

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Another ACB vintage synth model included in the EX expansion is the SH101, which has long been a staple for EDM and dance tracks. Once again I found the ACB version to give the presets additional complexity and depth that were not as obvious in their ZEN-Core counterparts.

The Fantom 8 EX’s analog filter and envelope knobs provide real-time tweaking of the most reached-for parameters in the original, offering the next-closest experience of playing the real-deal. 

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Roland also packages a third ACB model based on the JX3P synthesizer (available on the Roland Cloud). We didn’t test it, but it’s likely to be just as faithful to the original as the Jupiter 8 and the SH101.

Let me clarify that just because ACB’s models are so lifelike, that doesn’t mean that the ZEN-Core instruments are not as useful – quite the contrary, they can sound great and just as authentic.

In addition to the ZEN-Core Jupiter 8 and SH101, the Fantom 8 EX also adds the highly praised JD-800, Juno-106, and JX-8P. The JD-800 in particular is a welcome addition, with many of the original presets created by legendary Roland programmers like Eric Persing.

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The Fantom 8 EX features yet another proprietary synth engine called the n/zyme. This is a very powerful wave-sequencing synth engine with a few extra bells and whistles. All sorts of unusual sounds and evolving synth textures can be created through n/zyme’s powerful modulation capabilities and filters.

The power of n/zyme’s architecture and real-time control options are put to good use with the Fantom 8 EX’s touch screen and the various control knobs, making it particularly well-suited for sound design and otherworldly aural adventures. 

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Sampler

The Fantom 8 EX is also a full-fledged sampler for those looking to capture and create their own custom instruments. Both internal and external sources can be sampled and assigned directly to the 16 RGB pads or to the keyboard for instant pitched sounds.

Up to 352 samples can be used per tone, and custom samples can even be used as the basis of a ZEN-Core tone for the ultimate sound design customization.

V-Pianos and other additions

The EX update has new V-Pianos with a selection of excellent acoustic pianos such as the German Concert grand and newly developed SuperNATURAL Acoustic and Electric Piano 3 Expansion.

There is also a generous offering of orchestral instruments, such as strings, woodwinds, brass and choir. While you may find these to be perfectly suitable for many situations, one shouldn’t expect a keyboard to provide the type of realism that a dedicated orchestral sample library can provide.

Lastly, the Fantom 8 EX has a vast number of drum and percussion presets, ranging from acoustic kits to electronic percussion based in large part of Roland’s vintage stable of drum machines such as the 808 and 909.

More

A review is an overview, not a manual, and we’ve barely scratched the surface of the instrument’s features. Among the Fantom EX’ other features: external audio recording, the ability to route external signals through the internal processing and filters, a large collection of effects such as the new Shimmer Reverb and Modulation Reverb, DAW control profiles to use the Fantom as a tactile control surface for apps like Logic Pro and Ableton LIVE…

Thankfully Roland’s website provides a wealth of additional in-depth information and videos for those interested in digging deeper.

Thus

I thoroughly enjoyed using the Fantom 8 EX in my studio. Playing some of the ACB Jupiter 8 and SH101 presets brought an ear-to-ear grin to my face.

While the Fantom 8 EX makes an excellent centerpiece to any studio, I suspect that Roland’s other aim with this synthesizer/workstation is being a live performance instrument. And the Fantom 8 EX would be a formidable addition to any live keyboardist’s stage rig.

If you’re interested in an all-in-one synthesizer/workstation with an extensive amount of sonic options, by all means, consider the Roland Fantom EX line.

Features: 88-key Synthesizer Workstation with Graded Hammer-action Keyboard, Aftertouch, LCD, ACB, ZEN-Core, V-Piano, SuperNATURAL, and Virtual ToneWheel Sound Engines, and Onboard FX

Stret Price: $4,199.99

Click here for more info

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