For Immediate Release

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

FANTOM-S WORKSTATION KEYBOARDS

All-New Sounds, Powerful Sampling, Dynamic Pads and More

Anaheim, Calif., Jan. 16, 2003—Roland is proud to announce two new versions of the popular Fantom workstation: the 61-note Fantom-S and 88-note Fantom-S88 (featuring Roland’s Progressive Hammer-Action Keyboard). With flexible user sampling, seamless integration of audio and MIDI, all-new factory sounds and 16 Dynamic Pads—plus onboard mastering and a USB port for easy sample exchange—the Fantom-S/-S88 provide a complete solution for professional music production.

The Fantom-S/-S88 comes with 32MB of sample RAM (expandable to 160MB)—more sample memory than any other workstation and enough to resample an entire song! Samples can be saved to the 16MB flash memory or optional SmartMedia. The onboard USB port makes it easy to load .WAV/AIFF files, or export a finished song to a computer for CD burning or Internet distribution. Audio can be used as a waveform in the Fantom’s expressive stereo 4-Tone synth engine, or sequenced seamlessly alongside MIDI data—complete with realtime timstretching.

Even the factory sounds have been completely overhauled, starting with a brand-new 64MB-equivalent wave ROM with all-new Patches and Rhythm Sets (both models can also be expanded with up to four optional SRX-Series expansions). And to make programming easier, Roland added a new Dynamic Pad Bank with 16 velocity-sensitive pads for playing back internal sounds, RPS patterns or audio including loops. A world’s-first “Skip Back Sampling” feature continuously records performances, enabling users to retrieve an idea that might otherwise be lost.

The Fantom-S/-S88’s new Mixer View screen makes editing a multitimbral Performance more like a digital mixer, using four knobs and the LCD to change track levels, panning and effects. A new Layer View screen offers quick graphic editing for layering and key zones. And with separate reverb, chorus and three multi-effects processors—plus a new mastering processor—musicians can mix down a song just like they’re working in a big studio.

Roland’s V-LINK feature makes it possible to trigger and control video clips from the Fantom-S/-S88 when used with the Edirol DV-7PR Digital Video Workstation (sold separately).

Connections to the Fantom-S/-S88 include two pairs of stereo Line outputs, a stereo Line input, Headphones jack, two Pedal jacks, MIDI In/Out/Thru, a USB port, and coaxial and optional digital outputs.

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)