For Immediate Release

Rebecca Eaddy
Marketing Communications Manager
Roland Corporation U.S.
(323) 890-3718
Rebecca.Eaddy@RolandUS.com

ROLAND SHIPS FANTOM-Xa SYNTHESIZER

Powerful and Affordable

Los Angeles, CA, Oct. 27, 2004—Roland’s Fantom-X series has redefined the cutting-edge of sample-based workstation technology. For musicians who want the famous sound and power of a new-generation Fantom, but desire a more cost-effective way to Fantomize their rigs, Roland proudly announces the Fantom-Xa — a multifaceted sampling workstation with an affordable price tag!

Many of the most popular features from the flagship Fantom-X line have been ported to the Fantom-Xa, including 128-voice polyphony, major memory expansion, high-resolution built-in sequencing, realtime audio time-stretching, COSM® modeling effects, mastering processor, Skip Back Sampling, USB port, WAV/AIF compatibility, and an SRX expansion slot. The onboard PC Card slot allows up to a gigabyte (!) of patch and sample data storage.

Under the Fantom-Xa’s hood is one of the most powerful synth engines on the market. It’s loaded with great raw waveforms, semi-modular structures, multiple filter types, and up to eight syncable LFOs per patch, including the ultra-expressive programmable Step LFO. The Fantom-Xa shines with bank after bank of great patches, covering the classic keyboard and orchestral instruments plus modern electronic textures and much more. The 1,000-plus internal patches are categorized by family (Electric Guitars, Soft Pads, Organs, etc.) so it’s easy to find your sound quickly.

Whether you’re sequencing MIDI tracks, triggering samples, or even recording audio directly to RAM, the Fantom-Xa makes combining these elements a simple process. Lay down a drum track by combining the internal drum sounds with audio loops, which can automatically sync to tempo via realtime timestretching. Then record some keyboard parts via MIDI and finish your song by tracking a guitar or vocal as audio. The high-resolution sequencer holds up to 400,000 events, and supports Standard MIDI Files.

The Fantom-Xa is loaded with studio-quality COSM® effects. There are three MFX processors onboard, plus dedicated reverb, chorus, and even a mastering processor with multiband compression. Export your polished, finalized mixes to a PC or Mac via USB for CD burning.

Worthy of the famous Fantom-X logo, the new Fantom-Xa delivers powerhouse workstation performance at a price that won’t break the bank.

Roland is a world leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of electronic musical instruments, professional audio equipment, multimedia products and music accessories. For more information, contact Roland Corporation U.S., 5100 S. Eastern Ave., P.O. Box 910921, Los Angeles, CA 90091-0921, (323) 890-3700 (x3718 - for media use only), www.RolandUS.com.