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What is your opinion of the Roland Fantom X8 for use as a piano? Itt has great sounds.
What amplifiers would be best for it?

It's a little overkill to use as just a piano. That said, it has Roland's top-of-the-line action and it's flagship piano sound. I have one -- Love it!!!

As for what amplifier, it depends on your needs. I'd be happy to recommend something if you give me a bit more info as to what you're looking for.

The Roland Fantom Piano is simular to that of mt Digital Piani (Roland KR577), and fairs quite well actually, to what, is IMO, the best piano sound you can get out of the acoustic - but then there are Yamaha fans!

Stevey is right about the "overkill" Factor, as it does more than Piano, in fact, its a workstation - like My Korg Triton Studio. If you are looking for Piano sounds mainly, and a bit of something else, then a roland RD700 would be your best bet.

Antonio

Just a living room piano, have not found anything with better sound and the action is good. Will go back and make sure the Grand Piano is not too bright.
The digital grands I have tried make some funny noises. Acoustics are a lot of trouble and are always loud.
Like the RD700, but not a lot, the action does not feel right. Could wait for the RD800.

Should add that I would want amplifiers that would give the best piano sound.
Have a high end stereo, could it work with that?

With no disrespect intended to the KR577 owners, the piano on the new Fantom (not the Fantom or Fantom S) is much improved and to my knowledge is the only Roland product that currently contains these samples.

Antonio suggested the RD700, which is a great keyboard (especially with the Concert Grand expansion board). But not quite the same quality piano as the Fantom X8.

How much does the Fantom X-8 weight? About the same as the RD700?
Also, the Roland website classifies the Concert Grand expression board as an accessory for the X-8. Why? I thought the X-8 comes with the state-of-the-art concert grand sound.

"I thought the X-8 comes with the state-of-the-art concert grand sound"


Good question

The Concert Grand expansion board is compatible with any XV-capable Roland product, which includes the RD700, the Fantom series, etc. The Concert Grand board pre-dates the release of the new Fantom. It's all subjective, but the new preset piano in the Fantom X is technically superior to the concert grand expansion board. Whether or not you like it better is up to you. I'm thankful to have both!!!

I think if you want a piano sound, a Fantom X would be the wrong cjhoice, because there is too much other stuff on it that wouldn't be used. What about a Roland "KF" piano? (portable with Speakers) - these are meant to be piano's not workstations like the Fantoms.


Antonio

Antonio makes a good point -- the Fantom is a complex workstation designed for professionals. The problem is that to my knowledge, it's the only current Roland keyboard that has the new piano samples.

That said, I have both a Fantom X8 and a XV88. I tend to use the Fantom in my studio because of the production capabilities (loops, etc.) as well as because it's the more "hi fi" of the two. I use the XV88 with the Concert Grand expansion board for live playing and at my church as the piano sound is extremely expressive and sounds great. I guess what I'm saying is that although the Fantom is "newer" and "cooler", the expansion board piano sounds (that I use on the XV88) are pretty great!!! I don't think you could go wrong with them.

How long until the Fantom X8 sounds are in a mini grand?
Any guesses?

Not sure, but there's always the Fantom XR (rack-mounted module).

Gotta go to the Roland site about that.
Thanks

SteveY,

So can this module be hooked up to a mini grand?

Mini grand output to module and back into the mini grand?

What will work with it?

Any MIDI capable keyboard can control the Fantom XR. MIDI OUT of the controller keyboard to MIDI IN of the Fantom XR. Connect the audio ouputs of the Fantom XR to powered speakers/amplifier/mixer/headphones, etc.