Roland Fantom-X8 88-Key Keyboard Synthesizer Workstation Features:
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* 88 full-sized keys with Progressive Hammer Action = this is a crucial feature for piano players. It is the same size as a piano, and gives the same feel when you play the keyboard keys. Top-of-the-line.
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* 128 voices polyphony = 128 voices can be playing simultaneously. Compare that to older keyboards which only had 16 voice polyphony. This means that the keyboard can be used to record and playback a full orchestra. Top-of-the-line.
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* 1,480 Standard Waveforms = the number of sounds built into the Fantom keyboard synthesizer. This is a huge amount, and they get rave reviews for realism. Top-of-the-line.
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* Seamless integration of audio and MIDI = audio is actual recorded sounds. MIDI is musical data which can playback through any instrument. You can record an instrument or vocal and have it play back smoothly together with MIDI tracks on the Fantom. In other words, a recording studio in a keyboard synthesizer. Top-of-the-line.
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* Realtime time-stretch capability = time stretch allows you to use recorded material in a flexible manner. You can lengthen a sample without distortion, and hear it live. This is critical if your sample sound's length and the tempo of your song don't make. Top-of-the-line.
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* Skip back sampling = a Roland Fantom X8 innovation, enables you to save what you just played as a sample. Samples are short audio clips that can be played as an instrument. If you just played something inspiring, it is not lost! My piano doesn't do that. Top-of-the-line.
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* Color LCD screen = the first keyboard to have it! It makes editing and accessing features easy and clear.
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* USB port for MIDI and WAV/AIFF file exchange = a great connectivity feature. The power of a superb keyboard such as the Fantom X8 with a computer is something studio technicians once dreamed of. A USB connection makes things very easy. You will not need a special MIDI interface, the Fantom USB port does that for you. And you can transfer audio in the same way. Top-of-the-line.
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* 128MB wave ROM = the amount of memory used for internal sounds. Middle of the road for top-level keyboards.
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* 16 Sequencer Tracks Phrase tracks (16 MIDI channels per track) = the Fantom X8 records MIDI note data on 16 tracks. This means you can record 16 parts playing back through the Fantom's exceptional sound banks. Middle-of-the-road.
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* 128 Arpeggiator Presets = an arpeggiator is a form of prerecorded accompaniment. The Roland Fantom X8 has 128 different accompaniment styles. You determine the key, choose the groove you want and the Fantom plays it. Top-of-the-line.
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* 88 key split piano = the ability to split the sounds on the keyboard. Most often used to put a bass guitar sound in the left-hand section of the keyboard. Top-of-the-line.
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* Sampling Data Format is 16-bit linear (File Type: .WAV/.AIFF) = this is CD quality. Middle of the road.
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* Sampling Frequency 44.1 kHz (fixed) = also CD quality.
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* 32MB sample RAM expandable to 544MB = memory available to record your own sounds or singing right into the Fantom. Middle-of-the-road.
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* 16 velocity-sensitive pads with aftertouch = non-key pads for percussion and other sounds. Velocity sensitive means that the harder you push, the louder the sound. Aftertouch is the function where pressing the key harder after you first hit it alters the sound. For example, using aftertouch on a flute sound can add vibrato. Very good.
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* 3 multi-effects processors with 78 types = multi-effects take many shapes and forms. They can be as basic as reverb, compression and chorus, or more ethereal functions. Three processors means you can layer 3 different effects simultaneously.
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* Dedicated reverb, chorus, and mastering processor = these are the most commonly used spatial effects. In addition to the three more sophisticated processors, these will ensure that your music has a proper studio feel.
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* PC card slot with up to 1GB capacity = protection against loss of data, you can back up the Fantom X8's sounds and your own samples on a PC card. Top-of-the-line.
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* 4 mono or 2 stereo line outs = once you've recorded your mix, you can play it back and record it directly to your computer or other device. You can send four separate signals to create a surround mix, or send out two simultaneous stereo mixes from the Roland Fantom X8.
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* V-LINK for triggering and manipulating video = a great feature if you are using the Roland Fantom X8 to score a video. Top-of-the-line.
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* Stereo line in = this allows you to record from a CD or any other device sending out a line signal.
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* 24-bit S/PDIF I/O = 24-bit is now the industry standard, and is better than CD quality which is 16-bit. This means you can record and play in the digital realm. If you have a digital signal in your computer, for example, that you wish to put into the keyboard synthesizer, no need to convert it to analog. And vice versa. Middle-of-the-road.
