Fantom Vs Motif (yes, I read the plethora of Yamaha vs Roland topics!!!)

[ABSiNT]

After reading the massive amount of threads based on this question, I still have not found a direct answer to my question:

Which keyboard has the best synths and options to add more sounds?

I get the idea that the sequencer is better for the Fantom and the acoustics of the Yamaha are nicer but what is more upgrade friendly? How about arpeggios?

 

[Renegade187]

Im not sure what models your looking at ie Fantom X/G or Yamaha Motif classic/ES/XS/XF..But Ive also read plenty on the subject..Unfortunatley I haven't had much experience outside of messin with them in store.Anyways from what I gather the Fantom X series has the better synth sounds and expansion..Fantom G looks nice but im not sure if its worth the cost..Yamaha wins for accoustic instruments handsdown..the older ones are expandable the newer ones are not..this shyt is all over the net,I don't see why you'd expect a different answer..as for arps and other info go to the company's sites and check out specs.Both the Fantom/Motif are good countless hits have been made on both.Good Luck

 

[Focused]

The XF is expandable via Flash Memory, the Fantom G is expandable through Roland proprietary ARX cards, which in my opinion means that the Motif is ultimately more expandable. Both are samplers however so its a misguided question. They have a fairly equally amount of synth sounds, just depends on your personal tastes. Some would say the synth section in the Motif is more tame and smooth, where as the Fantom synths are more in your face aggressive.

 

[youngjboy]

I would suggest that you go to Guitar Center if there is one nearby and test them both in person to get a feel for them. I have both and they both have their positives and negatives if you will. To me, the Fantom sounds more techno/trance with their synths, than the motif. Ultimately, the Fantom sounds typical Roland and the Motif, typical Yamaha

 

[Xabiton]

If I were in the market for a hardware workstation right now I would take a motif any day over a Fantom. The Fantoms are good machines don't get me wrong but I think its the Motif sound that makes it stand apart from the other guys.

 

[youngjboy]

If I were in the market for a hardware workstation right now I would take a motif any day over a Fantom. The Fantoms are good machines don't get me wrong but I think its the Motif sound that makes it stand apart from the other guys.

I don't believe you we need more people

 

[Xabiton]

I don't believe you we need more people

coming from a guy who essentially says the same thing everytime I talk to him lol. Honestly though if I were to start over again today and I had a limitless budget but could only pick 3 machines I would likely pick a Motif or a Triton, a mpc, and a Jupiter 6

 

[youngjboy]

coming from a guy who essentially says the same thing everytime I talk to him lol. Honestly though if I were to start over again today and I had a limitless budget but could only pick 3 machines I would likely pick a Motif or a Triton, a mpc, and a Jupiter 6

Yeah, it is hard to say, all three are great. If I could only have one, I would probably roll with the motif, but the M3 is dope also now that Korg improved their pianos and ep's, and with the addition of drum pads, and the radias expansion. The fantom G improved in organs and maybe ep's but the grand pianos suck. A used fantom x6 is probably a much better value than a new fantom g. I like the fantom G for the ep's and better organs and maybe better screen with mouse support, but other than that, a cheap X6 would be a better route for me unless i could get the G for the low low.

I should do something different one of these days and get a Kurzweil or something

 

[D major]

I got a fantom x8 but thinking about trading or selling it for a motif xs7 or 8. The motif sequence is a little more complex but hopefully it is better at loading samples and starting up. I have to wait about 10 minutes for the thing to start and saving a song is no different either.The synths are awesome in the fantom but i am a piano man myself and always use piano so i think i will have to learn the motif all the way for my fast workflow. Also another thing with the fantom and maybe others as well sometimes i just work so fast that the keyboard will just freeze cause i am taxing to so fast.

 

[shefu]

Well first of all, why do you want to buy a Workstation? If you're already working with a DAW on a Mac or PC, you don't really need a Workstation such as the Fantom or the Motif, and you're better off getting a Synthesizer or some sound modules depending on what you need.

The Motif is praised for its "acoustic" patches, but if you're going to buy a workstation just for that you're better off getting a second hand Kurzweil which are unrivaled when it comes to that sort of samples (and if you can't afford that, go for a Roland JV-2080, it goes for 250-300$ on ebay).

The Fantom G (series, I have a G6 myself), while still a Workstation, has a lot of the Roland synth patches & drums from their previous Grooveboxes (such as the Mc505), and especially with the 1.5 update, it's really nice.

Bottom line is, you have to figure out what you really need, don't just buy something because it looks cool. Ask more questions...

You can get a million opinions but ultimately go for what your heart tells you!

 

[D major]

Bottom line is, you have to figure out what you really need, don't just buy something because it looks cool. Ask more questions...

True but its more of the thing of just having something that not every producer can afford and keeping a little piece of musical history that was a icon in its time. kinda like valuing cars or other things that they will never make again just to have with you and have put so many miles on. The workstations also do feel as if its a real instrument rather then clicking on a mouse.

 

[shefu]

honestly he would probably get a better feel of that if he got a Synth such as a Nord Lead2x, Roland JP-8000, Alesis Andromeda etc

workstations become less useful in time because of the expanded memory options and such, but a VA synths doesn't really get "old", people are still rockin' Supernovas, and Moogs in their studios, while workstations get traded and exchanged with time

 

[Xabiton]

well first of all, why do you want to buy a workstation? If you're already working with a daw on a mac or pc, you don't really need a workstation such as the fantom or the motif, and you're better off getting a synthesizer or some sound modules depending on what you need.

The motif is praised for its "acoustic" patches, but if you're going to buy a workstation just for that you're better off getting a second hand kurzweil which are unrivaled when it comes to that sort of samples (and if you can't afford that, go for a roland jv-2080, it goes for 250-300$ on ebay).

The fantom g (series, i have a g6 myself), while still a workstation, has a lot of the roland synth patches & drums from their previous grooveboxes (such as the mc505), and especially with the 1.5 update, it's really nice.

Bottom line is, you have to figure out what you really need, don't just buy something because it looks cool. Ask more questions...

You can get a million opinions but ultimately go for what your heart tells you!

post of the year!!!!!!!!!

---------- Post added at 11:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:03 PM ----------

Bottom line is, you have to figure out what you really need, don't just buy something because it looks cool. Ask more questions...

True but its more of the thing of just having something that not every producer can afford and keeping a little piece of musical history that was a icon in its time. kinda like valuing cars or other things that they will never make again just to have with you and have put so many miles on. The workstations also do feel as if its a real instrument rather then clicking on a mouse.

synths tend to stand the test of time a lot longer than workstations/romplers. A piano is a piano is a piano same with strings patches ect. Sure you can improve on the sound and they can have some variations but not to the extent of a synth. Vintage synth > Vintage Rompler/Workstation

 

[D major]

Vst's Can be easily replaced and they are not likely to be used on computers five years from now running on different os's but your keyboards will always work.And peolple will praise you that ou have a great synth even if its a bit outdated but sure alot will still want it.