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powerchordfx
Published on 06/02/07 at 04:41
See documentation ...
only regret: 16 MB RAM original two patches in multi-samples and it's full!
UTILIZATION
For regulars Roland is so easy except for the portion sample is more difficult to control. The architecture of sounds or settings is logical. The screen is small, the publication of such a monster asks to use the computer but the software is absolutely brilliant for that. That said, the instructions of the software is almost non-existent so it used to and feeling a little bit of logic and there is everything! ...
The notice of the expander is too brief in sampling. Without the software, it would be unbearable.
At ergonomics, Roland has oversimplified the buttons. With four more buttons (System / Patch List / Edit / Utility -> Write), we could have had an expander much more "editable" without computer ... Also lacks the famous key which allowed up and down the sound of an octave (you must go to System, it's a bit heavy).
The expander is a bit long to start (with samples): you must see it as if starting up a computer (in any case, it's just a computer that expander). You still have 10-15 mimutes with 340 MB of samples (though it is possible to start the fantom without loading samples: Startup takes 30 or 40 sec)
SOUNDS
Great!
Most of the sounds are good or excellent. You can find anything and compared to SRJV cards I had, I find the presets really well.
The expression and purity of sound are waiting for you to provide more realism.
The only regret: the sounds are too teckno metal (the cutoff at the bottom, it's going a while), there are (as in all expanders) misses some sounds good not to make you forget that there SRX (the voice for example). Guitar overdrive did not convince me, but fortunately there are the good samples in order to make REAL patches of Hard Rock! If you are looking for patches like Evanescence or Darkseed, it will need editing (Amoin the cards or CDs Roland SRX offer something)
Too many patches are ultra-worked and it becomes very boring: Roland wanted to dazzle your ears with sounds complicated but if you want to sound simple, well it's hard to find. I would say that for those who like expanders for their acoustic sound, the expander has a little too much "character"!
I installed the SRX (Ultimate Keys + World + Orchestra) and there was really no frills patches, ready to use and versatile ... As for the JV, the power of the Fantom is in the cards when it really operates four velocity layers: the expression is great. FYI, the kits of the Fantom batteries are better than the SRX, I was really amazed by the rhythm part of the expander!
Very important part indeed (especially reverb) is very good: it simulates very realistic acoustic conditions without coloring the sound.
OVERALL OPINION
I use it for one month and therefore I am giving an opinion ...
The expander is absolutely great especially for those who do not just use the presets. The software allows you to edit samples with incredible ease. In fact, I saw many bad reviews about the game almost impossible sampling on this expander (I have version 2.02 of the Fantom). The instructions are a little too light, I confirm there is nothing to be afraid at first. Once we understand the architecture of the samples, imports of audio and editing of the main parameters of the samples, it will own. Even for a multi-sample patches, we can make a terrible sound in 5-10 minutes (the longest being the assignment of notes to each sample).
In short, I'm really happy with my purchase. I find most of the sounds of the machines I've used before. The acoustic sounds are largely better than what I experienced and development opportunities between the SRX and sampling make me say I'm really not ready to sell it ... So if you are told that this expander is wrong is that you come across someone who did not have the patience to read the manual. I assure you that the Fantom XR has under the hood (apparently too much for some)!!
Notice at the end of five months: the expander is fabulous: I can not get up in the morning because I spend too much time to play. I can not stop so the sounds of the Fantom and the possibilities are enormous. The faults that I have found: 64 Patches favorites only (there are so many sounds good what do you do with 64 memory ???). This document is not clear for rhythms in performance mode: the sudden I still can not do what I want ...). Very large gap (in my opinion) that is not announced by Roland: the CD supplied with the SRX provide patches SRJV generation. Yes but they have forgotten to say that the files have been done to put the patches on the generation SRJV XV. So on a Fantom when you want a back on a sound SRJV SRX, edit yourself!)
Mind after 4 years of use with 6 SRX cards and 520 MB of multisamples, I find this very full sound module! It is almost what we want with.
The only flaws that I found: lack of insertion for Effects (MFX 3 only), no setting as possible to the digital output (it does not even know how often it is), publishing software not quite complete ( create a drum kit is really heavy on computer), only two analog outputs, the time for loading samples, the level of digital input can not be easily set with the Input.
Strengths: the quality of inputs (especially digital) perfectly neutral, allowing the sampling of crazy things! like having a second machine, the quality effects that are generally good, the Matrix Control for managing Midi controllers with incredible ease, the quality of analog outputs, easy to use when we understand the logic Roland SRX patches are well worth some banks that run Kontakt samples or other ....
I'm really happy, I even had the idea to buy a second at a time, for now, I do not see myself selling it one day!
only regret: 16 MB RAM original two patches in multi-samples and it's full!
UTILIZATION
For regulars Roland is so easy except for the portion sample is more difficult to control. The architecture of sounds or settings is logical. The screen is small, the publication of such a monster asks to use the computer but the software is absolutely brilliant for that. That said, the instructions of the software is almost non-existent so it used to and feeling a little bit of logic and there is everything! ...
The notice of the expander is too brief in sampling. Without the software, it would be unbearable.
At ergonomics, Roland has oversimplified the buttons. With four more buttons (System / Patch List / Edit / Utility -> Write), we could have had an expander much more "editable" without computer ... Also lacks the famous key which allowed up and down the sound of an octave (you must go to System, it's a bit heavy).
The expander is a bit long to start (with samples): you must see it as if starting up a computer (in any case, it's just a computer that expander). You still have 10-15 mimutes with 340 MB of samples (though it is possible to start the fantom without loading samples: Startup takes 30 or 40 sec)
SOUNDS
Great!
Most of the sounds are good or excellent. You can find anything and compared to SRJV cards I had, I find the presets really well.
The expression and purity of sound are waiting for you to provide more realism.
The only regret: the sounds are too teckno metal (the cutoff at the bottom, it's going a while), there are (as in all expanders) misses some sounds good not to make you forget that there SRX (the voice for example). Guitar overdrive did not convince me, but fortunately there are the good samples in order to make REAL patches of Hard Rock! If you are looking for patches like Evanescence or Darkseed, it will need editing (Amoin the cards or CDs Roland SRX offer something)
Too many patches are ultra-worked and it becomes very boring: Roland wanted to dazzle your ears with sounds complicated but if you want to sound simple, well it's hard to find. I would say that for those who like expanders for their acoustic sound, the expander has a little too much "character"!
I installed the SRX (Ultimate Keys + World + Orchestra) and there was really no frills patches, ready to use and versatile ... As for the JV, the power of the Fantom is in the cards when it really operates four velocity layers: the expression is great. FYI, the kits of the Fantom batteries are better than the SRX, I was really amazed by the rhythm part of the expander!
Very important part indeed (especially reverb) is very good: it simulates very realistic acoustic conditions without coloring the sound.
OVERALL OPINION
I use it for one month and therefore I am giving an opinion ...
The expander is absolutely great especially for those who do not just use the presets. The software allows you to edit samples with incredible ease. In fact, I saw many bad reviews about the game almost impossible sampling on this expander (I have version 2.02 of the Fantom). The instructions are a little too light, I confirm there is nothing to be afraid at first. Once we understand the architecture of the samples, imports of audio and editing of the main parameters of the samples, it will own. Even for a multi-sample patches, we can make a terrible sound in 5-10 minutes (the longest being the assignment of notes to each sample).
In short, I'm really happy with my purchase. I find most of the sounds of the machines I've used before. The acoustic sounds are largely better than what I experienced and development opportunities between the SRX and sampling make me say I'm really not ready to sell it ... So if you are told that this expander is wrong is that you come across someone who did not have the patience to read the manual. I assure you that the Fantom XR has under the hood (apparently too much for some)!!
Notice at the end of five months: the expander is fabulous: I can not get up in the morning because I spend too much time to play. I can not stop so the sounds of the Fantom and the possibilities are enormous. The faults that I have found: 64 Patches favorites only (there are so many sounds good what do you do with 64 memory ???). This document is not clear for rhythms in performance mode: the sudden I still can not do what I want ...). Very large gap (in my opinion) that is not announced by Roland: the CD supplied with the SRX provide patches SRJV generation. Yes but they have forgotten to say that the files have been done to put the patches on the generation SRJV XV. So on a Fantom when you want a back on a sound SRJV SRX, edit yourself!)
Mind after 4 years of use with 6 SRX cards and 520 MB of multisamples, I find this very full sound module! It is almost what we want with.
The only flaws that I found: lack of insertion for Effects (MFX 3 only), no setting as possible to the digital output (it does not even know how often it is), publishing software not quite complete ( create a drum kit is really heavy on computer), only two analog outputs, the time for loading samples, the level of digital input can not be easily set with the Input.
Strengths: the quality of inputs (especially digital) perfectly neutral, allowing the sampling of crazy things! like having a second machine, the quality effects that are generally good, the Matrix Control for managing Midi controllers with incredible ease, the quality of analog outputs, easy to use when we understand the logic Roland SRX patches are well worth some banks that run Kontakt samples or other ....
I'm really happy, I even had the idea to buy a second at a time, for now, I do not see myself selling it one day!