I'm not the least bit impressed with the Fantom, or the Motif or M3 for that matter. These products have had very small and evolutionary updates ever since the Korg M1 set the paradigm for "workstation" class keyboards. As such, the Fantom, in my eyes, is no more than an M1 with higher quality samples, better effects, and a resonant filter. Big whoop. Where are my sound design tools?
Why am I STILL not able to cross modulate between the oscillators on the Fantom? Why am I not able to perform audiorate modulations between the oscillators and the filter on the Fantom? As a matter of fact, why are there no non-PCM based oscillators on the Fantom at all? Boring, boring, boring!
Alesis was on the right track in terms of packing a lot of synthesis options, i.e. FM, PM, VA, PCM, and sampling, into one product. As a result, it was not just a tool for composition, but also a very competent sound design tool. Too bad they got bad PR for launching with a buggy OS and did little to no marketing after the fact. Numark totally dropped the ball on that one, but at least the VA engine has made its way into the MPC 5000.
Aside from all that,
the Nord Wave is the engine that I think EVERY "workstation" should try to implement. Unlike the Fusion, the Wave allows for the mixing of wavetable, sample, VA, and FM oscillators in a single patch. Now THAT is a sound design tool.
It's good that you bring up
the Roland Juno-G and D, by the way. Those boards are EXACTLY what is wrong with the big three. A perfect example of deceptive marketing by way of trying to sell people on the reputation of the synths of yesteryear.
Rob Bec said:
Death to all Roland haters!!!!!!!!! (And their mothers)
And finally, it's dickheads like these who keep the "workstation" business model alive. No one demands anything of the Big 3, and as a result they have no incentive to innovate.
I hope you enjoy your life of mediocrity, Rob.