Astrolab versus Roland Fantom 6 EX for trance music

[Trancer]

Hello,

I'm giving a lot of thought to a hardware setup for composing trance music.

I initially considered the Arturia AstroLab 88-key + Electribe 2 (for rhythms) + Boss RC-505 MK2.

Then I wondered:

What about the Roland Fantom 6 EX?

What do you think of these two setups?

The Arturia offers excellent possibilities and includes the JP-8000 as well as a superb collection of VSTs, very useful for trance.

The Roland Fantom 6 EX (aside from the absence of the JP-8000, a mistake by Roland) also has advantages (it's an all-in-one system).

I'm really having trouble deciding,

because both have their strengths and weaknesses.

In your opinion, which setup best suits my musical style?

And which is the most sustainable (the least restrictive, with potential for future upgrades, no obsolescence, regular updates, etc.)?

What worries me a bit about the Astrolab is the patch download issue, the reduced polyphony depending on the VST used, and the crashes.

Furthermore, obsolescence is a problem given the insufficient processor and RAM of the Astrolab 37 and 61.

The 88-key version apparently improves patch download speed and polyphony, but it's much more expensive, probably to compensate for this improvement.

I also wonder if there's a modular version.

I'm considering it because the 88-key version was in high demand and was released quickly.

And since a modular version is requested, I would be very reluctant to buy a keyboard with a power supply if such a version is released very soon.

The module will necessarily be more powerful, given the limitations of current Astrolab products for certain applications.

Thank you in advance for your answers.

[glokraw]

I would get a deluxe 88 key midi controller, a good percussion software, Hive 2, and Synthmaster 3 plugins, and an Astrolab 37. The strength of the lab is the 1800 built in sounds, and the extra configs for each sound that Arturia made, that tend to be more useful than at first assumed.
This will be easy to use, with depths of sound that's easy to access as software plugins and hardware are combined. The synth plugins have excellent sounds and effects to use or start from.
Cheers

[Trancer]

Thank you for your reply.

I already have a computer setup.

I just wanted a standalone version so I wouldn't have to turn on my entire system every time I want to make music.

Regarding the Astrolab, even though I don't need the 88-note version at all, I'm hesitant to choose it over the 61-note version.

Simply because the 88-note version has a more powerful processor and a faster clock speed.

However, I wonder if there's a real added value.

By that I mean faster preset loading and better polyphony management.

The 61-note version seems underpowered for use with, for example, Pigment, the Augmented series, with two presets used simultaneously.

So, I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to get the 88-note version to have more processing power?

I also plan to get a drum machine.

What do you think?

Syntakt, TR8S, or Electribe 2?

What are your thoughts?

Thank you in advance for your help and opinions.

[Modeman]

I have both a Fantom 6EX and an AstroLab 37. They’re both great, but the Roland is a much more complete synth. If I had to choose one, I’d keep the Roland. I added the AstroLab as an aux board and for some of the non-Roland synth models and it’s great for that, but the Roland has more capability, higher polyphony, proper multi-timbral use, a built-in drum machine and sequencer, and more. It’s a great all-in-one solution for standalone, in my opinion. Both sound great, though. Of course, it costs and weighs a fair bit more than the equivalently-sized AstroLab 61.

[glokraw]

What are your thoughts?
Thank you in advance for your help and opinions.

I think people need to have a plan, knowing the kinds of music, and amount of music they hope to create. Having an understanding of their work flow, and the time needed to achieve the desired results, is also important. A realistic budget is important. Debt, and struggling to pay bills, are not conducive to inspiration. The flip side is that music production and playing music are healthy pursuits, and being a savvy informed buyer who pays cash for bargains, and patiently waits for no-brainer sales, can help build a great setup. The previous post makes a good case for a Fantom, perhaps taking the drum machine off the purchase list. Actually sitting down with expensive (a relative term) hardware and giving it a run-through is pretty important. Knowing the return policy, warranty, and resale potential is also good policy. If someone has a $15 thousand dollar car, they could find a decent $8 thousand dollar car, and have a stash of cash to carefully invest in music gear. It might be good to get some mastery with newly acquired gear, before buying the next part. I got a ToneX Plug a while back, so need to dig in to the editor a bit, before getting anything else. Software is good at filling in gaps.

An atypical example, involves moving somewhere on earth that has an energetic music community , where jobs in music related businesses, and derivative personal connections are available. This might mean having skills for a day job, until a job in the industry opens up. Taylor Swift is an example of that. Her parents, people of means, recognized her potential and moved the family to a music city, where her talent, grit, and determination kicked in, and family business smarts led to some excellent decisions. Like re-recording her albums, when the bigwigs refused to let her buy back her catalog

[Trancer]

Thank you so much for your reply.

This isn't a question of debt or anything like that; I have the financial means to buy a Roland Fantom 6ex and an Astrolab.

I agree with you, you need to master your equipment, and the Fantom 6ex requires a significant time investment.

Now, that's true of all machines of this type.

An all-in-one machine is, by definition, more complicated to learn.

I was just wondering about a dedicated hardware setup versus an all-in-one machine like the Roland Fantom 6ex.

Perhaps a setup with one machine per function (synthesizer, drum machine, looper) would be simpler.

Of course, you have to learn each machine individually, but in practice, a single-function machine might be simpler than an all-in-one.

[Uncle E]

As great as the Fantom is, Astrolab has the sounds you're looking for. That together with a TR8S or Digitakt (not Syntakt or Electribe 2) would be a great setup for you.

[Trancer]

Thank you for your reply.

It's always a real pleasure to read your posts.

I created another post specifically about the Astrolab and its processor, which isn't the most suitable (power, slow preset download speed, and poor polyphony handling).

I'm very interested in the Astrolab; as you say, it would be exactly what I need.

What worries me is its processor and its already very limited capabilities.

I'm very interested in your opinion on the Astrolab.

The 88-note version has a more powerful processor, but apparently not faster than the processors in the 37- and 61-note versions.

I tested the 88-note version, but it had firmware prior to version 1.50, and we're now on version 1.70.

So, I don't know if there's a real improvement or a real difference.

TR8S or Digitakt 2?

I'd also like to be able to do kick rolls, I know it's possible with the Syntakt and its modifiers ( 0 : 55 ).



Is it possible to do this with the Digitakt 2?

Thanks again for your reply and opinion.

[Uncle E]

I'm very interested in the Astrolab; as you say, it would be exactly what I need.

What worries me is its processor and its already very limited capabilities.

It can only have 2 synths at a time, so the processor of any of them should be enough for what you're doing. This might change if Arturia enables them to host more at a time in the future. The 88 has 33% more power, which you can see by clicking voice restrictions on the following link and scrolling down to the keyboards:

https://support.arturia.com/hc/en-us/ar ... strictions

btw, what are your thoughts on a Virus TI Keyboard?

TR8S or Digitakt 2?

I'd also like to be able to do kick rolls, I know it's possible with the Syntakt and its modifiers ( 0 : 55 ).



Is it possible to do this with the Digitakt 2?

Yes, you can do that with the Retrigger function.

[trusampler]

I can save you a bunch of money if you pay close attention, and you can get both items. This is provided you have a good cpu that can run modern software:

1. Buy Roland Cloud Zen Core - full version - this is the fantom
2. Buy Arturia V Collection - full version - this is the astrolab
3. Try and find these on sale to save even more cash.

You will now have both items you want, and now you can buy the midi controller you want. EG: Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol 61 or 88 both with Poly AT.

[Trancer]

Thank you so much for your reply and advice.

So, even if you don't need an 88-note keyboard, choosing this keyboard, given that a more powerful processor seems like a better choice for the future and will ensure greater longevity.

I just hope Arturia doesn't release a mega-booster module version at Superbooth 2026.

Regarding the Virus ti2, I had two and sold them as they were no longer in production.

I sold it because I thought that if a problem arose, I might not be able to repair it.

The Virus ti2 has always been my favorite synth.

Unfortunately, no one has taken over production, yet it was still incredibly popular despite the years.

It's great that it's possible to do the same with the Digitakt 2.

Thank you again for your reply.

[Trancer]

Thank you for your reply.

I already have a Kontrol S88 Mk3 keyboard with the V Collection 11 Pro.

But I really like the standalone version of the Astrolab.

Arturia in a compact keyboard.

It's true that you need a computer for some things, but once it's done, you just integrate it into the Astrolab.

I don't want to use my home studio equipment every time, I just want to turn on a keyboard and compose.

Thank you for your opinion.

[trusampler]

understood, good luck

[Uncle E]

I don't want to use my home studio equipment every time, I just want to turn on a keyboard and compose.

Do you think you can get by with just 2 synths? How would you feel about looping parts in the drum machine? Would you consider that a fun, inspiring way to work or would it be restricting? I actually think it could be pretty cool, since rendering parts often helps me move on and stops me from getting stuck, endlessly tweaking.

[Trancer]

Thanks for your replies.

What do you mean by just managing with two synths?

I was thinking of maybe getting the Korg Multipoly as well, it offers a nice range of sounds and could be a good complement to the Astrolab.

Plus, it has sound manipulation capabilities.

Do you have any other ideas?

Here, the Astrolab is a general-purpose machine and offers a huge range of sounds, and I really like Arturia sounds.

So, an Arturia synth, a drum machine, and a looper for recording.

A minimalist hardware setup for greater efficiency.

One machine per function.

To be honest, I've never used this approach.

I've never used samples in a drum machine, so I don't know if it would be an added value, stimulating, or creative for my purposes.

Indeed, it could be another way of doing things and also allow me to discover a different production workflow.

So the Digitakt 2 could be perfect in this case, much better than the TR-8S.

Thanks again so much for your reply.