Are Workstations Still Relevant? | The NEW Roland Fantom-06

Roland has released the new "Fantom-0" line of synthesizers, a more-affordable array of workstations based on their high quality Fantom synthesizers. Take a look and a listen and let us know your thoughts-- are workstations still relevant in today's synthesizer culture? Does the 06 pay homage to the 6?

0:00 Intro/Specs
6:31 Demos
13:21 Final Thoughts

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[infnloopmusic]

The answer to that question will always be yes. There are many musicians that are computer professionals all week that dread the thought of being stuck on a computer when composing music. These are the perfect solution.

[DrawAndErase]

As a keyboard player the workstation is just so important. I play in a prog metal band and I need to transition between sounds quickly with a pedal, play leads, play riffs, sample sounds, play intro tracks and work with huge setlists and its such a nice thing to have because it's easy straight forward and relatively cheap. I can go out with a kronos and maybe a nord or an analog synth and do everything with my instrument its such a life saver. The alternative route is to get something like a keylab 88, a computer and a DAW that can do seamless transitions or mainstage and then setup huge files and buy loads of sounds, its more expensive and less convenient, the only true benefit I'd say is because we do use a lot of software synths for recording you can use the actual sound, but it can be a headache. Workstations eliminate that frustration and just get you working with bread and butter and then you can focus on the performance.

[squeakD]

I think they’re certainly still relevant because as nice as it is using a DAW with VST’s.., workstations are just straight forward working ‘within the box”. No worries about VST compatibility, RAM, ect. I do however feel that given what can be done via a DAW and VST’s.., workstations are grossly overpriced for what they are.

[Valdes_on_keys]

I think this is the working man’s Fantom as a keyboard player what’s important to me is having good sounds, quick load up time and being able to get my creative ideas out quickly, something that I can’t do with my computer and software. Speed is key sometimes by the time I boot up my programs and all that I’m getting distracted by emails and alerts.

[jbognap]

Yes, they are still relevant. Look at the DAW-less community, with the Akai MPC, etc. Roland could have a hit on their hands if they did a couple of things. Add the ability to record audio tracks with auto-stretch functionality so you can add audio to your MIDI tracks. Add the ability to stream audio from an external USB device (this keyboard is memory poor @ 256MB. Some people are upset that the sequencer is pattern based, but there is no proper song mode - with a max of 64 bars per pattern, I don't see that as a problem. In addition to being a rompler, it does have virtual analog capabilities with zen-core. Hopefully, the n-Zyme (wavetable synthesis) function will be available on the 0 series as it is on the Fantoms. Unfortunately, Roland are charging for the internally hosted synth expansions, unlike the Fantoms, where it is free. If they addressed these items, I'd pay for one of these.

[amackclassic]

Workstations will always be relevant to true keyboardists. We need them! Very customizable for me at least. A workstation eliminates an external audio interface, an external drum controller, and provides amazing live performance capabilities. Again, for people who really play live, it's not just a thing, it's THE thing to have.

[Fallingoverbackwards]

At this price they definitely are relevant, we still need hardware interfaces. Sampling is the big reason, you can sample your vintage synths and take these workstations on stage. This has deep multi-sampling. I have several rare synths that you would not want to haul around. This is about performing musicians, light weight and can do a ton of sounds.

[linnerspace]

It's also extremely important to note that this workstation has access to the Roland Cloud expansion, i.e. Jupiter-8, Juno 106, etc.

[ToreHansen]

All in a box is still a great idea. If you have a cottage you can take a weekend with this and headphones or speakers. And Roland have always sounded great.

[whwh]

It depends on the musician. I personally like the Fantom 8 (not the 0 series) because you’re getting a weighted keyboard with really good action, and I like to play some classical or jazz piano at night when I can’t sit down at the actual piano due to the loudness. I also like having everything available right from the get-go and not having to load up my computer, open my DAW, load up all the sample libraries or VST’s, connect everything, make sure it all works, etc. It’s way more plug-and-play, and when I’m writing stuff or quickly looking for a synth tone that helps a lot. I also enjoy having the sequencer and pads right there with all the drum and percussion sounds in the keyboard, saves me from having to buy a separate drum machine or deal with more VST/sample library headaches.

What I don’t need are the recording functions on it, that’s something I will always do in a DAW. Can’t imagine tracking all of your songs on that tiny screen rather than on Logic. That’s where workstation keyboards have been way outmoded.

So yeah it depends on what you’re doing as a musician. I play piano and want quality weighted keys, but I also write songs that use a lot of these retro Juno-esque synths and I want to access the stuff quickly. I also like making beats now and then. Being able to do all of that in one instrument without the need for a PC or Mac is pretty great.

[JeffPalmer]

I love my Kronos, Triton, and Karma! Would actually like to have a Fantom-06 but don’t have room for it.

[MusicWizard]

Roland Fantom/Fantom 0 + Akai Force or Maschine Plus + Roland MC707...all standalone creation stations but when combined = very powerful home studio setup even if using a lot of external gear (guitars, vocals, drums, synths, etc).

[floridahiker]

I love my Roland Juno DS 61. I wouldn't of bought it if it didn't have a pattern sequencer. It's alot of fun to come up with new patterns and patches. I have no desire for a DAW.

[FabioSantilli]

Hi! I think it's a very useful workstation. Perhaps it has little expandability, but it may be enough, because It already has many sounds, free spaces and possibility to direct programmation from presets, scenes, and initialization from waveforms. Furthermore, the controls (faders, knobs, assignable buttons, pads and possibility of using more pedals) are numerous and make it functional also as a stage keyboard and a controller in the studio. I like also the Keyband. Truly a great instrument! 👍 Thanks for this video!

[Bashanvibe]

I’m glad I kept watching because I was going to say they will always be relevant in my little world!!!

[ShawnBrandon]

For me working in a DAW is not a direct musical connection that a workstation offers. If you enjoy using a mouse a hell of a lot than use a daw. If your musical go with a ws just my humble opinion.

[KeytarKris]

I played one of those in the Guitar Center in Pearl City Oahu Hawaii . It has fabulous powers! 🤟🎹

[Organistcomposer]

I’m a classical keyboardist just now getting into other genres, and having top of the line weighted action and sensitivity is a must

[innhouz]

If the producer, beat maker, etc finds a particular workstation that is useful to the project at hand thn hell yea, workstations are & will always be Relevant even in todays constant obsession for the next new modern piece of Gear &/or Software. The TR-808 is much older but yet, many are still usin it right…? So, if there’s a use for it, thn it doesn’t matter if it’s old or new, it’s all Relevant to whomever chooses to use it…

[donleino]

hahaha love the buffet analogy, had a nice chuckle to that