Roland Fantom-S88 - Manual (Page 13)

13
Main Features
Speedy music production
The “S” in Fantom-S stands for its advanced studio functionality and
its powerful sampling capabilities. Careful attention has been paid to
the quality and diversity of its internal sounds. Its rich array of
internal sounds can be expanded by installing up to four wave
expansion boards (SRX series). In addition, you can utilize the
sampling functions to create your own sounds. A powerful
sequencer and numerous performance functions that enhance your
musical creativity are also built in, making music production fast
and efficient.
The large panel LCD keeps you informed of the operating status
from all angles. In particular, the Mixer screen displays the volume,
pan, and effect send level of each part, just as if you were seated at a
studio console.
Newly developed synthesizer sounds
The completely new wave ROM was developed with one idea:
deliver maximum inspiration to the artist. The Fantom-S contains a
top-quality synthesizer sound generator. Workhorse sounds like
strings and piano have been further upgraded, and the wide range of
built-in sounds include new sounds that foreshadow the music scene
of the future.
Heavy-duty sampler
The Fantom-S features a high-performance 44.1 kHz sampler. Audio
data that you sample can be used as wave data in the same way as
the internal sounds or wave expansion boards (SRX series) to create
original sounds. Multisamples are also supported. The full range of
sample-manipulating functions, such as Chop and Normalize, rivals
the capabilities of a dedicated sampler. Thirty-two megabytes of
sampling memory is standard, and you can add expansion DIMM
modules to expand the sampling memory to as much as 288
megabytes.
Skip-back sampling function
The Fantom-S is constantly recording what you play. You can cut a
several-beat phrase of your prior playing and play it back from the
pads. This unique function is a great way to capture your
improvisations, and can be used in a wide range of situations.
Built-in 16-track sequencer
A high-resolution 16-track sequencer is built in. With functions like
Loop recording that lets you record each part non-stop, it’s designed
not to interfere with your creative imagination. After you’ve input
your data, you can take advantage of the large LCD to edit track data
graphically.
Dynamic pad bank
The Fantom-S features a dynamic pad bank that is sensitive to
velocity and aftertouch. They can be used as trigger pads to play
favorite sounds like hits or bass sounds, to recall RPS sequence
phrases, or assigned to play skip back-sampled phrases. In another
idea, rhythm sounds that were “chopped” from a loop phrase can be
assigned to the pads and played for realtime input into the
sequencer.
Mastering functionality
78 (Fantom-S: 77) different multi-effects, chorus, and reverb are
provided. Since the mastering effects that are indispensable as the
final step of the music production process are also provided, you can
create songs with a level of quality that approaches a commercially
released CD.
USB connection to your computer, and
SmartMedia support
The Fantom-S can be connected to your computer with just a single
USB cable, allowing sophisticated linked functions such as
importing and exporting audio data.
Fantom-S88 features a Piano mode
The Fantom-S88 has an 88-note progressive hammer action
keyboard, and a Piano mode that lets you press a single button and
use the instrument as a dedicated piano.
V-LINK functionality
V-LINK lets you synchronize music and images to create completely
new forms of expression. Realtime controllers such as the D Beam
controller and the dynamic pads can be used to control images while
you perform music.
Fantom-S Editor/Librarian included
The included editor and librarian software lets you edit and manage
Fantom-S sounds from your computer.
General MIDI
General MIDI is a set of recommendations which seeks to
provide a way to go beyond the limitations of proprietary
designs, and standardize the MIDI capabilities of sound
generating devices. Sound generating devices and music files
that meet the General MIDI standard bear the General MIDI
logo ( ). Music files bearing the General MIDI logo can be
played back using any General MIDI sound generating unit to
produce essentially the same musical performance.
General MIDI 2
The upwardly compatible General MIDI 2 ( )
recommendations pick up where the original General MIDI left
off, offering enhanced expressive capabilities, and even greater
compatibility. Issues that were not covered by the original
General MIDI recommendations, such as how sounds are to be
edited, and how effects should be handled, have now been
precisely defined. Moreover, the available sounds have been
expanded. General MIDI 2 compliant sound generators are
capable of reliably playing back music files that carry either the
General MIDI or General MIDI 2 logo.
In some cases, the conventional form of General MIDI, which
does not include the new enhancements, is referred to as
“General MIDI 1” as a way of distinguishing it from General
MIDI 2.