Roland Fantom-X

The Fantom-X (Xa/X6/X7/X8/XR) is a music workstation/synthesizer produced by Roland Corporation. It was introduced in 2004 as an upgrade from the Fantom S series. The Fantom-X competes with the Korg Triton/Triton Extreme, the Yamaha Motif ES and other similar large-scope keyboards such as the discontinued Alesis Fusion. In 2008 it was succeeded by the Fantom-G, which was devised to compete with the new Korg and Yamaha flagship keyboards.

Features
The Roland Fantom-X features a 128-voice PCM-based synthesizer, a 16-track MRC-Pro sequencer, 6 effects processors, dynamic pads and infrared D-Beam, a stereo sampler and full on-screen editing. The Fantom X received an audio recorder upgrade with version 2.00 that allows for 8 stereo audio tracks integrated with the internal MIDI sequencer.


 * The Fantom X6 - 61-key version with aftertouch
 * The Fantom X7 - 76-key version with aftertouch
 * The Fantom X8 - 88-key fully weighted piano keyboard
 * The Fantom XR - (rackmount module version) accepts up to six SRX expansion boards.
 * The Fantom Xa - Newer model with a smaller screen. (Unsurpassed by the Yamaha MO Series & Korg Triton Le Series due to multiple I/O, microphone inputs, multisampling and 128 note polyphony.)

All Fantom X series, except for Xa, accept up to four SRX-series wave expansion boards. Total of 12 different SRX boards were produced.

Models
There are five models in the Fantom-X family: The X6, X7, and X8, apart from their keyboards, are almost identical in the controls they offer, the internal software they run, and the expansions they accept.
 * X6: 61 keys - velocity and aftertouch.
 * X7: 76 keys - velocity and aftertouch.
 * X8: 88 weighted, hammer-action keys.
 * XR: Rack-mounted sound module holds up to six SRX expansion boards but does not feature a sequencer.
 * Xa: 61 keys - velocity only.

In 2005 the 61-key Fantom-Xa was released. The Xa still uses the same Waveforms and the new X series Chip. The Xa comes with a smaller mpc style graphical green screen, the keyboard is not as professional, and lacks aftertouch.

Successor
Next to the Fantom-X Roland put into the production the Fantom-G which included twice more waveform memory, more patches, 128 voice polyphony ,advanced and easy to use sequencer. Fantom-G accepts new ARX wave expansion cards, has larger full-color screen, 16 insert effects per patch and other improvements. A partial follow up to the Roland Fantom-X is the Integra-7 sound module. It does not have sequencer, sampler or other functions, however it does contain the waveforms of all SRX boards at a time.