MV8000 vs Fantom X6 ?

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Kidcarr51

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Hello everyone...

I am looking for info on a couple of Rolands production units. I am a lyricist looking for a way to write music for my lyrics. I play a few musical instruments, but do no have enough time on all the instruments needed to write a song. I have been inquiring about Rolands MV8000 and I have learned a little bit about this machine. I have now learned about Rolands Fantom x series and would like to know if this is maybe a better unit for me. I basically want to write my drum, guitar, bass and sample effects as well as a way to write several tracks and record them to make a song. I would really like something with a wide variety of different types of built in instruments to work with. Today I learned about the Fantom series and witnessed a little bit of its capabilities.

My genre of music is Rock / Rap. Kid Rock style. I want to lay many tracks of samples and instrument loops. I am brand new to this type of technology so really not sure what to use. I have played in several rock bands and understand the science of composing a song. Kid rock and several rock / rap artists have really inspired me to write these type of songs.

I really want to know which is the better unit for me before I purchase one of these units. Does the MV 8800 have the built instruments to compose a complete song? Like guitar, horns, bass and other instruments? Is there much difference between the MV8800 and the MV8000. For the money could I go with the MV8000?

Or does the Fantom X6 series keyboard a better way to go? I have watched several youtube videos on both units and still am unsure. I do not know how to play a keyboard so the Fantom has pushed me a little away from it. Also I have heard it does not have many tracks?

If anyone has any suggestions or information please let me know. I have no previous experience with any of these machines or any other type of machines. I also want something that is user friendly and easy to use.

Thank you,

Brian Carr
 
For you, considering that you play instruments a little and your looking for somthing with lots of sounds the fantom is probably the way to go. The mv8800 comes with a FEW sounds and I do mean few its really more of a sampler. the mv8000 I believe just comes with the 808and 909 drum sounds. Fantoms are also really easy to work with especially if you read through the workshop docs on the Roland site. I personally love the work flow. Now somthing the MVs have over the fantom is that it has like 136 midi tracks, fantom only has 16(16*16 if u think of the fact you can have 16 diff channels per track. but still only 16 parts) the X6 does have 8 audio tracks also. Plus that vga screen mouse set-up is pretty sweet.

One gripe about the fantom is how samples are managed. Its really not the best u basically have to load all samples. U can't just set up a song that uses samples to load only the samples it needs. I would like to hear from someone who has used both to give there opinions on the MVs sample management. Im thinking about getting one in the fall.
 
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Thanks DJ Statyk...

eah it sounds like the Phatom is what I need to go with. You said that there is a VGA hook up. So that means you could use a monitor instead of the small LED screen right? I have been trying to find out a little more about the MV and it ounds like it does not have a lot of internal instruments. So it looks like the Phantom is the way I am going to go.

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

Kidcarr
 
Kidcarr, if your looking for a beast of a ROMpler with some great sounds then get the Fantom. If your looking for an amazing hardware sequencer, sampler, and all around beast... go for the Mv. And yes, you can connect an LCD to the MV which makes editing sequences and paramters a breeze. It's the flexibility of software with the stability and power of hardware.
 
yea I love my fantom Xa. I think i am going to add a mv8000 or 8800 to my setup later though.
 
Thanks Dj Statyk and AudiosEnvy...

Hey Audiosenvy... I thuoght static meant you could hook up the Fantom to a monitor? Does it not have that capability? do you think on the Fantom 16 tracks is enough to compose a song from begining to end? I am going to sample old rock tracks and do several drum loops as well as fills and several effects. I have a gutarist who will lay the solos. Can you put your vocals on the Fantom as well? Also how can you burn these songs to cd?

Thanks bros

Kid C
 
Kidcarr51 said:
Thanks Dj Statyk and AudiosEnvy...

Hey Audiosenvy... I thuoght static meant you could hook up the Fantom to a monitor? Does it not have that capability? do you think on the Fantom 16 tracks is enough to compose a song from begining to end? I am going to sample old rock tracks and do several drum loops as well as fills and several effects. I have a gutarist who will lay the solos. Can you put your vocals on the Fantom as well? Also how can you burn these songs to cd?

Thanks bros

Kid C
Click to expand...

Nope, not on the Fantom's. Only on the Mv can you connect to an LCD.

16 Tracks can be enough along with audio tracks to complete a song. Definitely enough to complete a Hip-Hop track with a little clever bunching of elements. For me and my style? Definitely not. My compositions sometimes get extremely complex and 16 tracks just wouldn't do it for me. Plus, I like having all my automation on separate MIDI tracks like I do on my Mv8800.

Yes, you can put your vocals on the Fantom or the Mv. The Fantom has 4 Audio tracks (if I remember correctly) and the Mv has 8 audio tracks.

It's really all up to you and the way you like to work but honestly, they are two completely different beasts that actually work together very well. So chosing between the two should be based on your needs and the desired workflow.
 
Kidcarr

If you've got an ok ish computer why don't you get a cheap daw.
And some free synths, that way you can make beats.
It will be alot cheaper. Also you can get Producers from here to send you tracks, or you could send them vocal tracks, they can then make beats for you.
Just an idear.
 
Correction...

The Fantom X has 8 audio tracks.....

That's the "Juno G" that only has 4...

I think 24 tracks is fine....

I seperate EVERY instrument/sound and I NEVER use more than 24...

That's just me Though
 
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Hey big brother motown...

So when you say 8 audio tracks, does that mean you have to input these tracks from another source other than the Fantom? And you think 24 is enough. Only thing I am worried about is not knowing how to record a track. Does that mean each track most likely will be a loop? Because I want some loops and some tracks to be thrown in when I need them. But I hear ya, 24 probably would be enough. But 16 tracks can come from the Fantom correct?

Thanks Bro

Kid C
 
BigBrotherMotown said:
The Fantom X has 8 audio tracks.....

That's the "Juno G" that only has 4...

I think 24 tracks is fine....

I seperate EVERY instrument/sound and I NEVER use more than 24...

That's just me Though
Click to expand...

Ahh yes, that is correct. Hence my disclaimer. No matter which way you cut it, 16 MIDI tracks won't cut it for me even with the help of 8 audio tracks.

Kidcarr, you asked how you could burn these to CDs after your done... on the Mv you just mix down everything and burn right to a CD for play on any consumer grade CD player. I am not too familiar with the Fantom but I believe you can mix down to a stereo track and export it to a computer if you want to burn it to disc.

It seems though, for your needs that the Fantom has enough of what you need to get the job done. If your looking for a good all-in-one workstation, go with the Fantom. If your looking to expand later on and want a center for your studio as it grows, the Mv is a great option.
 
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Yeah its sounds like the Fantom is the way to go for me.

Thanks

Kid C
 
I had to do some QUICK research...

Sorry the response took so long...had to run down to the studio right quick....


The answer to your question....

NO those 8 Audio tracks do NOT have to come from an outside source...you can "Re-Sample" sounds that are already in the Fantom when you record the Audio Tracks...the only drawback to this however is that you will NOT be able to quanitize the audio....(Because its audio...LOL) you will either have to get it right or quanitize/edit before hand and then re-sample it to the audio tracks....


Hope this helps



BBM
:cheers:
 
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