Fantom X6 sampling/think of getting rid of the MPC

Thinking of getting a X6 and was wondering what is the sampling like on that compared to a jjos 3.18xl?. I be using the X6 for sounds but since it has a sampler wouldn't that make the MPC redundant for myself unless its total shit of course.

Anyone know?

hi, I own a Fantom S and a MPC 4000. I also have access to a fantom X from time to time. If you get the X you will have a very powerful combo with the mpc. Sampling on the fantom is easy and so is learning how to use it. Just know that a fantom x with various srx cards is going to give you some of the best sounds around. If you are not a pianist then the beauty of having pads means you will be able to tap out your recorded chords and other sounds. I play piano and find it wonderful to simply record the chords then play them how I want to via the pads.
The sequencer in the X is better than the S in terms of timing. However now that I have a mpc I am using that to time everything. For years I slept on the mpc's because I just didn't need it. Now I see that I should have tried it out earlier. The pads on the fantom are hard. You can play them for sure but they are not like the mpc pads.
Just so you know...
Fantom X is 128 polyphony, color screen, audio tracks
fantom S is 64 poly...many of the same sounds as the X. It has optical in out(but only two track)
Sonic Cell is 128 poly, holds two srx cards, has a few newer waveforms than the X but generally has the same sounds as the X but no sampling and no pads.
You may only need the sonic cell.
Drums are the same in the fantoms and sonic cell you will need to layer them as they come to you kinda thin. However the SRX cards have great drums. Once layered they are okay. They are not like yamaha drums.
The Fantom G I won't mess with. Would rather have a Yamaha XF or a kurzweil.

cheers,

ian


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJcyGwJGUak

Cheers for the advice guys, it wasn't going to seem likely that the MPC would go since I easily love the workflow of that advice. However, with money and space being limited I was just entertaining the idea if I had to.

I was going to just get Komplete and a midi keyboard but then I be chained to a PC, which doesn't seem that much different to a X6

Lamp is right.

I forgot to mention the other option of getting the Fantom XR which is the fantom is rack form. No sampling but all of the X sounds and it holds the most srx cards.
Fantom sampling and file saving is a breeze. The X has lots of memory as well. I have samples in my fantom but I will not be using it as a sampler any more since the MPC is dedicated for that task. Plus my mpc has multiple outputs.
Only get the hardware if you are going to be performing or of you like knob tweaking. If you are just working at home go software save space.
peace
ian

The XR rack I hear is good but the interface is difficult or estoric to use compared to the X keyboards. I'm not sure if that is true.

Also are the X sampling functions the same as the G, because its difficult to find any difficulties regarding tutorials. Sure far the X6 looks lovely, its just a case of finding one at the right price.

I do love the romplers on the PC though, I own Kore and the hardware controller and I hardly use the screen at all and plus the morph feature I can play round all day producing sounds. I was suggested to go further down this route and get a decent midi keyboard, it be cheaper but I do like hardware alot thanks to the MPC.

hahah fantom users unite...... I am an Fantom XR user. So can attest to the fact YOU CAN sample with an XR, just needs the 'sample tools expansion' . Mine came with this and can also take 256 Meg of memory to save lots of sample, and yes of course the SRX expansion boards. I have a friend with a fantom G and its different, only four channels instead of 16 with X, XR. Also has VA synth on the G as well. So different beat really. XR has no sequencer, unlike keyboard version.

I should post a screen shot of the editor software. Its mind blowing, just because their is so many parameters. But I dont use it that much and usually use XRs crappy interface instead, just because i am used to it. BUT if i need to say make a sound from scratch then i plug in the imac and use editor software.

so op keep that gear, should enable all kinda of ideas. Killer combo . MPC + workstation synth = good stuff.

Well scratch that, lost the auction. £500 too, so mad.

Well scratch that, lost the auction. £500 too, so mad.

Suppose I can get the XR rack but man wanted the keyboard bad.

Or Fantom s?

bliprock wrote:hahah fantom users unite...... I am an Fantom XR user. So can attest to the fact YOU CAN sample with an XR, just needs the 'sample tools expansion' . Mine came with this and can also take 256 Meg of memory to save lots of sample, and yes of course the SRX expansion boards. I have a friend with a fantom G and its different, only four channels instead of 16 with X, XR. Also has VA synth on the G as well. So different beat really. XR has no sequencer, unlike keyboard version.

I should post a screen shot of the editor software. Its mind blowing, just because their is so many parameters. But I dont use it that much and usually use XRs crappy interface instead, just because i am used to it. BUT if i need to say make a sound from scratch then i plug in the imac and use editor software.

so op keep that gear, should enable all kinda of ideas. Killer combo . MPC + workstation synth = good stuff.

Blip does the Xr have chord memory?

it sure does have chord memory. But i do not use it as i use JJOSXL on my MPC1000 and it has a chord bank in that. So i usually use JJOSXL chord bank to send cords via pad hits to the XR. Works a treat to.
But the chord bank is extensive on the fantoms. Not sure bout other ones but XR has rolled chords, up down and alt. It has also japan, balinese, blues, spanish, gypsy scales as well. So could do any style i guess. 64 chord forms total, part of the appregiator section.

Chords are the same in the fantom S as well.

Visit the Roalnd Clan website if you want the run down on the fantom S vs X and to hear what people think of the G. I had a 61 key fantom S and traded it with another user and gave him some cash to get the fantom S88. I play piano so I wanted the hammer action keyboard. I will be keeping that fantom forever and will teach my kids how to play piano on it. The hammer action is great.
The S is a heavy keyboard. Yamah is making a light keyboard with superior piano sounds called the MOX which is also a 64 polyphony unit.
I don't want to get into which is better but I will say this getting a fantom S and a Sonic Cell will cover you sonicly.
If you get a fantom X then there is no need to get a sonic cell.
If you get a sonic cell then you may not need anything. It will work well with a MPC plus it is an interface for a compupter as well.

The sonic cell has waveforms in it that are not in the fantom X but which are in the G. That is why I bought it. I got caught up in the idea of having the most waveforms. Frankly you don't need all that if you are not a tweaker. If you like making your own sounds then you really don't need the srx cards.

Roland reuses the same sounds and efx in all of their equipment. I know because I own the DR880 (which is drum SRX, fantom drums and fantom bass sounds), MC909, Fantom S, Sonic Cell and RE-20 space echo and a VS2000 digital recorder that has a drum machine in it and it is the same drum patterns once again, it also has the RE-20 and many other stomp boxes in it(those same stomp boxes are in the DR880). They make the stuff so that you can be good with one unit but it works amazing when they are connected with other pieces.
Like having the controls of the MC909 with a fantom or sonic cell. Or another example is that they make a great guitar looper called the Boss RC300. Now the RC300 is a sampling looper with three tracks that has the same sounds in it as the dr880 and the same efx as the other stomp pedals. hwoever you would want to buy another pedal to have excellent control..(you tube convoy unlimited)
Sorry to go on and on. You may not need the fantom X is all I am saying.
Cheers,
Ian
PS that RC300 pedal is a phenomenal piece of gear for live tweaking