Dilemma : Fantom X6 Vs. Fantom XR

synagodz wrote:I got the keyboard and the workflow is pretty fast, the effects are really good, and for that price is a good deal, i manage to to covert my Emu Soundsets" Pure Phatt, Orbit, Vintage Keys in to the board and im blown away that the sound quality replicates my old modules, if you could save money go with the rack, either will step up your existing setup.

word..

i think now, the money is probably the biggest factor. the module is nice but the screen does look a bit small. i feel like i could get more done and QUICKER with the bigger screen.

anaother one of my issues wit the keyboard is, I KNOW roland's gonna drop a new workstation sooner than later and i'll JUST be getting the FantomX6...Unless I NEVER wanted to get another keyboard...it kinda feels like a waste...while on the other hand...sound mod's never get played out..

You got good points, the rack will be the best way to go, since i got the board for the same price of the rack, i just grab it without thinking, and im happy i made the purchase, the modules will live on for always, go get that rack.

synagodz wrote:You got good points, the rack will be the best way to go, since i got the board for the same price of the rack, i just grab it without thinking, and im happy i made the purchase, the modules will live on for always, go get that rack.

yeah...plus it does have the arppigator..

how easy/hard do u find it to edit/tweak patches using the roland editor on the comp? that's one of my oonly problems with the rack..i wasn't planning on utilizing it with the computer..i just wanted to be able to tweak away from the module itself...

im pretty use to it,for adding the existing XV 5080 patches, this transfer could be done in minutes, once you tweak whatever sounds to your desire, always write them to memory. rack + software is a nice combo with your Mpc.

synagodz wrote:im pretty use to it,for adding the existing XV 5080 patches, this transfer could be done in minutes, once you tweak whatever sounds to your desire, always write them to memory. rack + software is a nice combo with your Mpc.

can u edit WITHOUT the software though?

I would say just the opposite, the rack doesn't save you money since it's not the same.
The rack is good if you want or require certain aspects of the Fantom.
If you want to get your money's worth then the X-6 is where you need to go.
Many of the tricks and features that pimp the Fantom are based around the overall keyboard environment (same is true with the Motif and the Triton).
Regardless of the fact the MPC can sample, it still can't sample like the Fantom or process the samples after the fact like the Fantom.
Take a minute to determine what about the Fantom draws you to it and how that works on the keyboard then see how it works or the XR or if the XR can do it.
These are the reasons why the Fantom-S failed and the Xa doesn't please most who buy it.
A Fantom is a whole unit the XR gives you the sounds of the Fantom but not the power.

The limited features of the rack units always means they are already behind, so when a newer or updated version of the workstation is dropped they will only be further behind.
I see them suffering more than the key version would.

Save yourself some money and get the rack since you already have the MPC4000.

And if you need to play some keys you can get a midi controller for less than $150.

THE ADVERSARY wrote:I would say just the opposite, the rack doesn't save you money since it's not the same.
The rack is good if you want or require certain aspects of the Fantom.
If you want to get your money's worth then the X-6 is where you need to go.
Many of the tricks and features that pimp the Fantom are based around the overall keyboard environment (same is true with the Motif and the Triton).
Regardless of the fact the MPC can sample, it still can't sample like the Fantom or process the samples after the fact like the Fantom.
Take a minute to determine what about the Fantom draws you to it and how that works on the keyboard then see how it works or the XR or if the XR can do it.
These are the reasons why the Fantom-S failed and the Xa doesn't please most who buy it.
A Fantom is a whole unit the XR gives you the sounds of the Fantom but not the power.

The limited features of the rack units always means they are already behind, so when a newer or updated version of the workstation is dropped they will only be further behind.
I see them suffering more than the key version would.

good post...definintely something to think about..

you can edit the hell out of samples with the mpc4000 though...but u probably can do more with the fantom...which is definintely a turn on..the filters and effects on the 4000 are OK at best...

ugly_face wrote:Save yourself some money and get the rack since you already have the MPC4000.

And if you need to play some keys you can get a midi controller for less than $150.

got the midi controller already...

It's not so much about the Fantom doing more than the 4k, they just have different things that they are able to do.
Also since you are a 4k user you already understand not to overlook what a difference a big *ss display can make.

THE ADVERSARY wrote:It's not so much about the Fantom doing more than the 4k, they just have different things that they are able to do.
Also since you are a 4k user you already understand not to overlook what a difference a big *ss display can make.

VERY true...

I feel like I want more out of the Fantom than just sounds & the ability to tweak them. I wanna use the filters & effects from time to time also. Once I realized what weaknesses my 4000 had, I figured I could get them out of the Fantom X6. I got rid of my ASR-10 because virtually, the 4000 & ASR are the same. I only needed one dedicated sampler. I WILL get an ASR-10 later on though LOL I miss the filters and sound engine on that BADLY!

I feel like I want more out of the Fantom than just sounds & the ability to tweak them. I wanna use the filters & effects from time to time also. Once I realized what weaknesses my 4000 had, I figured I could get them out of the Fantom X6. I got rid of my ASR-10 because virtually, the 4000 & ASR are the same. I only needed one dedicated sampler. I WILL get an ASR-10 later on though LOL I miss the filters and sound engine on that BADLY![/quote]

Yup, Ive had my asr10 for years now. Once i got good on the 4k I figured I didnt need the asr10 because the 4k was really just a big asr10. So im using my asr10 only as a controller.... but man I have so many patches onthat thing, and they sound so so so good.

Sucks though, cause my scsi drive broke, so I need to find a new scsi drive. Dammit ensoniq.

hemogoblin wrote:Yup, Ive had my asr10 for years now. Once i got good on the 4k I figured I didnt need the asr10 because the 4k was really just a big asr10. So im using my asr10 only as a controller.... but man I have so many patches onthat thing, and they sound so so so good.

my biggest problem with the asr-10 was editing and looping samples..I just NEVER figured out how to get loops properly to sequence..i hated the sequencer on that thing...LOVED everything else about it though...

that DRUMULATOR bass patch that i had on the asr was probably the DOPEST bass i've ever heard..it was nasty..i miss it

Don't use the sequencer on the ASR just sequence from the MPC and the ASR becomes much easier to deal with .