Why buy a G when X is so cheap now?

[AB77]

I am decided whether to get a Fantom G or X. Please convince me as to why I should get the G. I am mostly interested in the sounds and their quality, as opposed to features, like sequencing and the like.

[Quinnx.]

Here`s the thing..

its all to do with budget and what you want to be able to do..

if the budget is tight there is no question about it.. Get the X since its no less powerful than the G in all the area`s that count.

If you have the money the G is worth considering but only for a few advances...

Fast USB storage/load/save
Project based
USB Audio
Live mode
Seemless patch switching

things lacking on the G that the X has

Easy assignment of samples to keys
Rps on keys
fully editable sequencer (cut copy paste)
file system cut copy move
Quick assignment to keys or pads of samples

So the long and short is this...
If you have the money and want out of the box better sounding keyboard with faster sample processing, usb audio better performance features
go for the G

If you want a budget workstation that is just as capable G but with some creative thinking.. Get the X

[en76]

get a G... much easier work on it and more so you will realize how much the mouse and screen really helps. I don't mind having an X too but I sometime wish they have a mouse and big screen. plus you gotta move on from your X sometime so y not spend it on a new "FG".

[AB77]

Can I put samples into the G and assign it to keys? Is it more difficult that the X? If so, how much more difficult?

THANKS,
AB

[The Audacity Works]

Quinnx:

If you have the money the G is worth considering but only for a few advances...

ONLY A "FEW" ADVANTAGES OF THE FANTOM-G OVER THE FANTOM-X:

•120GB external hard drive (or 16GB USB flash drive) vs. 1GB CF card storage (only ~600MB of which is usable)
•Twice the max RAM (1GB)
•Notable loading/saving speed increase (in practice, 4-5x as fast)
•Notably faster boot time
•Project-based file system with project number limited only by storage
•Loading songs only loads samples for that song (if saved to dedicated project) instead of samples for all songs
•Number of user patches = 512 x number of projects
•Number of user Live Sets (performances) = 512 x number of projects
•Number of songs = 50 x number of projects
•8 x the MIDI tracks (128) allowing for much more flexible song arrangement, especially when programming drums
•3 x the audio tracks (24)
•One million event sequencer capacity per project
•Dedicated external parts which can be mixed and sequenced separately
•ARX boards add extra parts with potentially new synthesis types (ARX 01 and 02 only add one each, but the manual hints that 16-part multitimbral boards are on the way, which means a hardcore G could eventually be a 64-part, 384-voice beast)
•4.4 x the number of simultaneous effects processors (22)
•Seamless single patch and Live Set transitions (except when you mistakenly enable both SysEx and PC/BS transmission and record said transitions to the sequencer)
•Twice the number of Favorites (Live Setting Play) registrations
•100x the tempo resolution
•Dedicated tempo/fader value display, regardless of screen mode
•WAY larger and higher resolution screen
•More visible parameters means less screen navigation
•Way more visual feedback, such as fader and knob levels
•Addition of 8 assignable faders
•Mic preamp with phantom power
•Impedance switch for optimizing input level
•USB audio interface with real-time streaming to/from computer
•No need to bounce internally, freeing up both time and precious RAM
•Relatively future-proof storage mechanism (USB key) as opposed to hard-to-find 1GB CF cards and PCM-CIA card adapters
•All-new DSP processor chip, the first in almost ten years
•New optimized sound engine to run on said chip
•24-bit/96k converters
•New analog I/O (op amps, etc.)
•Auto sample and phrase optimization
•ARX Expansion cards don't eat into the existing engine at all
•First machine in almost two decades to eschew the confusing "patch vs. performance" dogma for the much simpler and more obvious Single/Live/Studio layout
•Near-instant screen redraws on audio tracks
•Higher resolution on waveforms
•MIDI track regions display note data from main Song Edit screen
•Ten-key keypad with dedicated NUMERICS button
•Favorite registrations remember transposition value and volume (!)
•Part select buttons
•Effects bypass switches
•Dedicated transpose button
•Dedicated LOOP and JUMP buttons
•Extra control pedal input
•Assignable buttons moved to above the joystick where they belong
•DAW-style graphical editing via mouse
•Scroll wheel on mouse scrolls up and down tracklist and adjusts other various parameters
•All new, much better reverb algorithms
•Better mastering processor algorithms
•Combined CURSOR/VALUE layout more efficient
•Bend modes for choosing how the bender affects chords
•Instant switching of arp styles via pads
•Step LFO now has 64 steps
•Instant selection and muting of tones per patch via pads
•Dedicated track mutes via pads
•Patches sound exactly the same in Performance mode across all parts
•Perfectly seamless transitions between single patches and 8-part Layer/Split performances including effects
•Progressive Hammer Action II with Ivory feel keys on G8
•Dedicated FAVORITES button
•QWERTY-style patch/performance/song/sample/project naming
•OSX Spotlight-style search function
•Improved zoom and navigation functionality in sequencer
•Phrase-based alias arrangement, similar to a computer DAW
•Remembers last visited menu and submenus
•Removes superfluous buttons and streamlines workflow in numerous ways
•Fourth knob and eighth slider used for ultra-fast patch and menu scrolling
•Bookmarking screens now remembers submenus

[sambasevam]

step LFO can have a billion steps and it wont make your purchase any more worthier.

you play the keys, you can do anythign with the X. You'll be happy with the X if money is tight. if you have tons load, get the G.


I'm still very happy with the Fantom S.

[Artemiy]

To summarize what Audacity and Sam said, both are worth their money! Just act according to your budget and priorities.

[AB77]

Fantastic list of differences. Thanks for posting them. I want the G ! Any comment on how hard it is to assign samples to keys?

THANKS,
AB

[shakil]

AB77....

It's pretty easy.....
For assigning single shot samples...

Just select any drum kit... and them press the key you want the sample on.... go to patch edit and call up the sample in Wave selection....

You can layer upto 8 mono samples, or 4 stereo samples on a single key... If you want you can also have 4 velocity switch ranges..

You can set level, pan (exact, random, alternate), filter, pitch, bpm sync, effects sends, amp envelope, pitch envelope, individually for each SAMPLE, in each key...

You can change the samples assigned to keys any time, even while the sequencer is playing back...

This can be done on BOTH, the Fantom X and Fantom G.

For assigning samples that play on whole key range.... just pick up a patch that matches the category of the sample..... press patch edit, go to waves, and scroll to the list of samples, and select the one you want.... that's it. This can be done on BOTH Fantom X and Fantom G.

[Quinnx.]

Sample assignments are more difficult on the G.


on the fantom X all you do is..

goto sample list
select all or any combination of sample using Mark/Mark all
press assign to keys
done!
a total of about 20 secs work

Multi sample assignments are easier too..

List
select all
assign to multi sample
Done!

On the G you have to do every key one at a time..

once for every sample
so 128 samples is 128 times (probably 10-20 mins work)
as appose to 20 seconds on the X

just some thing to keep in mind..

[Atlas5]

The X is an excellent buy. The G is simply more, hence, it cost more.

My advice to anyone buying any keyboard,

1. Buy the most expensive keyboard you can afford.

2. Buy as many keyboards as you can afford, regardless of costs (buy the cheaper items too!)

3. Never sell any of them, unless it is to buy more (or different)

4. Buy all keyboards for the product it is, not some dream about what it could be.

5. The only useless keyboard, is the keyboard you don't have.

6. Don't discuss keyboard buying with your wife.

[Lukeofkeys]

, excellent points Atlas5!

Some musicstores would be happy with you as an employee!

[Wilhelm]

especially point 6 is a critical one and leads to

7. use inEar phones when she is around

[kenchan]

textured paint sold at home improvement stores is not the same as ivory feel on the G8.

get the latest and the best you can afford.

[jessej]

I just love the pic above, can you tell what synths the mouse owns?

I guess I am lucky. My GF actually pointed out that I don't have a vocoder last week... that I should get one.