The Roland Fantom-XR represented in 2004 a breakthrough in rack-mounted sound modules, delivering exceptional power and flexibility in a compact 1U form factor. This professional-grade synthesizer/sampler module offers unparalleled expandability with capacity for over 1GB of sounds, making it an ideal centerpiece for modern music production setups.

Overview

The Fantom-XR combines Roland's advanced synthesis engine with comprehensive sampling capabilities, providing musicians and producers with an extensive sonic palette. Based on Roland's powerful sound generator chip, it delivers maximum audio processing performance with an expressive stereo 4-tone synthesis engine and remarkable 128-voice polyphony.

The unit comes with a massive internal 128MB wave ROM featuring quality-focused waveforms including Roland's impressive 88-key split piano (multi-stage velocity-switched stereo sampled piano), vibrant string ensembles, and punchy drum sounds. These sounds were meticulously recorded in world-class studios with renowned engineers like Dan Blessinger of Martinsound.

What sets the Fantom-XR apart is its extraordinary expandability. The internal wave ROM can be expanded up to 512MB using six optional SRX-Series expansions, allowing users to add specialized sound libraries such as World Collection, Dynamic Drum Kits, Big Brass, Complete Orchestra, and Complete Piano. The 12 available SRX expansion cards let musicians customize their sound palette precisely to their needs.

The unit's sampling capabilities are equally impressive, shipping with 16MB of sample memory for loading .WAV/AIFF files via USB or recording sounds through the analog and digital inputs. This can be expanded to a massive 528MB with optional DIMM memory. Combined with a fully expanded wave ROM, that's over 1GB of sounds at your disposal!

The Fantom-XR excels in studio environments, offering tight integration of audio and MIDI when connected to computers or hardware sequencers. It automatically syncs audio loops to tempo using high-quality real-time timestretching algorithms and even allows recording of linear audio phrases for playback from RAM like a digital recorder.

Sound processing is handled by studio-quality effects including three multi-effects processors, separate reverb and chorus processors, and a dedicated mastering processor with tools like multi-band compression. The multi-effects arsenal includes COSM Guitar Amp Modeling, Lo-Fi processing, tempo-synced delay, Slicer, Isolator and many more.

Connectivity is comprehensive with USB functionality serving as both a MIDI interface and a convenient way to transfer audio files to and from a computer through simple drag-and-drop operations. The Fantom-XR supports both .WAV and AIFF file formats, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of sound libraries available on CD-ROM and the internet.

With its massive sound library, extensive expandability, powerful effects processing, and streamlined workflow, the Roland Fantom-XR represents a significant advancement in rack-mounted sound modules for professional music production.

Technical Specifications

Sound Generator Section

• Maximum Polyphony: 128 voices (shared with sampling section)
• Parts: 16 parts
• Wave Memory: 128 MB (16-bit linear equivalent)
• Waveforms: 1,480
• Preset Memory:
  • Patches: 1,024 + 256 (GM2)
  • Rhythm Sets: 40 + 9 (GM2)
  • Performances: 64
• User Memory:
  • Patches: 256
  • Rhythm Sets: 32
  • Performances: 64
• Card Memory (PC card):
  • Patches: 256
  • Rhythm Sets: 32
  • Performances: 64
• Effects:
  • Multi-Effects: 3 systems, 78 types
  • Chorus: 3 types
  • Reverb: 5 types
  • Input Effect: 6 types
  • Mastering Effect: 3-band Compressor

Sampling Section

• Data Format: 16-bit linear (File Type: .WAV/.AIFF)
• Sampling Frequency: 44.1 kHz (fixed)
• Maximum Sampling Time:
  • Standard (16 MB): mono: 180 sec. approx., stereo: 90 sec. approx.
  • Maximum (expanded with 528 MB DIMM): mono: 104 min. approx., stereo: 52 min. approx.
• Number of Samples:
  • User memory: 2,000 (maximum total approximately 16 MB)
  • Card memory: 7,000 (PC card)

Additional Features

• Arpeggio:
  • Preset: 128
  • User: 128
• Rhythm Pattern:
  • Preset: 256 (32 groups)
  • User: 256 (32 groups)
• Chord Memory:
  • Preset: 64
  • User: 64
• Display: Graphic 160 x 48 dots backlit LCD

Connectors

• Headphones Jack
• A (MIX) Output Jacks (L/MONO, R): 1/4 inch phone type
• B Output Jacks (L, R): 1/4 inch phone type
• Input Jacks (L/MONO/MIC, R): 1/4 inch phone type
• MIDI Connectors (IN, OUT, THRU)
• USB Connector (supports file transfer (mass storage class) and MIDI)
• Digital Audio Interface (COAXIAL INPUT/OUTPUT)
• AC Inlet

Expansion Slots

• Sound Generator Expansion:
  • SRX expansion boards: 6 slots
• Sampling Memory Expansion:
  • DIMM SDRAM: 1 slot (supports 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB (3.3 V))

External Storage

• PC Card: 1 slot (supports SmartMedia and CompactFlash using a PC card adapter)

Physical Specifications

• Dimensions: 481 (W) x 335 (D) x 44 (H) mm / 18-15/16 (W) x 14 (D) x 1-13/16 (H) inches
• Weight: 4.7 kg / 10 lbs 6 oz

Power Specifications

• Power Supply: AC 117 V, AC 230 V, AC 240 V (50/60 Hz), AC 220 V (60 Hz)
• Power Consumption: 13 W

Factory Included Accessories

• Handbook
• Owner's Manual
• Sound/Parameter List
• Sample Data (Audio) CD
• CD-ROM (Editor, USB MIDI driver)
• Sticker
• Power Cord

Optional Accessories

• Wave Expansion Board: SRX Series (max 6 boards)

Tags: digital synthesizer