Fantom-S and Fantom-S88 Launched at Winter NAMMAll-New Sounds, Powerful Sampling, Dynamic Pads and More
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Fantom-S
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Fantom-S88
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January 16, 2003
Roland has announced two new versions of the Fantom workstation: the 61-note Fantom-S and 88-note Fantom-S88 (featuring Roland's Progressive Hammer-Action Keyboard). With flexible user sampling, seamless integration of audio and MIDI, all-new factory sounds and 16 Dynamic Pads--plus onboard mastering and a USB port for easy sample exchange--the Fantom-S/-S88 provide a complete solution for professional music production.
The Fantom-S/-S88 comes with 32MB of sample RAM (expandable to 160MB)-- enough to resample an entire song! Samples can be saved to the 16MB flash memory or optional SmartMedia. The onboard USB port makes it easy to load .WAV/AIFF files, or export a finished song to a computer for CD burning or Internet distribution. Audio can be used as a waveform in the Fantom's expressive stereo 4-Tone synth engine, or sequenced seamlessly alongside MIDI data--complete with realtime timstretching.
Even the factory sounds have been completely overhauled, starting with a brand-new 64MB-equivalent wave ROM with all-new Patches and Rhythm Sets (both models can also be expanded with up to four optional SRX-Series expansions). And to make programming easier, Roland added a new Dynamic Pad Bank with 16 velocity-sensitive pads for playing back internal sounds, RPS patterns or audio including loops. A world's-first "Skip Back Sampling" feature continuously records performances, enabling users to retrieve an idea that might otherwise be lost.
The Fantom-S/-S88's new Mixer View screen makes editing a multitimbral Performance more like a digital mixer, using four knobs and the LCD to change track levels, panning and effects. A new Layer View screen offers quick graphic editing for layering and key zones. And with separate reverb, chorus and three multi-effects processors--plus a new mastering processor--musicians can mix down a song just like they're working in a big studio.
Roland's V-LINK feature makes it possible to trigger and control video clips from the Fantom-S/-S88 when used with the Edirol DV-7PR Digital Video Workstation (sold separately).
Connections to the Fantom-S/-S88 include two pairs of stereo Line outputs, a stereo Line input, Headphones jack, two Pedal jacks, MIDI In/Out/Thru, a USB port, and coaxial and optional digital outputs.
For more information, visit their web site at www.rolandus.com. | 
