Roland Fantom 06 Vs Yamaha MODX M6 For Studio Purposes

[DraglineDrummer]

I do a lot of Hip-Hop production. I've been working mainly in software but I also have an MPC One Plus and an MPC Key 61. I would like to have a completely hardware based setup for when I don't feel like using the computer. I'm thinking of selling the Key 61 and getting another synth/rompler and using the MPC One Plus as my sequencer. I recently got Zenology Pro and really like it. That's one reason that gravitated me to the Fantom 0. But then I also didn't know if that would be too much overlap. I was also considering the MODX M6. I’ve always liked Yamaha sounds but I haven’t used their boards in years. I’m not gigging so I don’t care about live use. It’ll sit in the house and be used as my studio sounds and doubles as a MIDI keyboard when I'm using software.

My biggest focus is on the sound and ease of use with the MPC. I'm looking for the bread and butter sounds. Pianos, Rhodes, Organs, Brass, Strings. I want to run 6-8 sounds at a time from the board and my drums from the MPC.

I’m looking for a good keybed feel too. I use an Arturia Keylab 61 MK3 currently. I’m not concerned with piano feel but I like a semi weighted keybed. I've heard the older MODX keybeds weren’t good but the M series is better. This would double as my synth/rompler but also my midi keyboard and DAW controller when I'm using software. I use Fender Studio Pro.

I can find a Roland Fantom 06 cheaper than the M6 but I just want to make the right decision. I appreciate any help and advice.

[Watchful]

I haven't tried the new MODX M6; if we're talking the original MODX, there's no comparison: I really disliked its keyboard and action.

However, I think the current Fantom series is much more feature rich than the MODX, especially if you want or need controls, pads, etc. It's more than just keybed, of course. A better comparison would be Montage vs. Fantom, both of which are full-featured devices.

If I had to make your choice, I'd select the Fantom. I've had time on the Fantoms, and they are really solid. If price were no object, then I'd take Montage over Fantom, but price is always a consideration.

[Uncle E]

We just had a similar discussion in the following thread:

viewtopic.php?t=627548

While I recommended MODX for him, it sounds to me that Fantom 06 would be a better fit for you, mainly because you're looking to go completely hardware (OP in the other thread will continue to use software).

[AstralExistence]

fantom o8 had fantom o6 hate the keys too fast. like plucking coins. fantom 08 is great for non keyboard players. much more easy to control. modx i hated. synth engine sucks compared to fantom 08. fantom 08 is now very mature and can run all features fast and flawless. a daw in a keyboard with 16 tracks of power. roland products are not built with the intention to break. roland releases updates yet does keep updating a synth or effect that pushes the hardware enough be more or far more then it can take. aka planned obsolescence. roland is dedicated to creating instruments that are built to last.

[AstralExistence]

modx x touchscreen is awful and nautilus too like pushing on debit card. rolands touchscreen are like touching thick plexisglass. you can actually feel your fingers sinking into the mod x or even worse the nautilus. bye bye touchscreen aka. useless instrument coming right up. i see used mod x or nautiluses all the time for sale. touch screens become garbage. and yet even old roland fantom o screens still feel solid with the same hard plexiglass touch. you can even use a stylus with the touchscreens.

[IBarch]

Generally, people rate the acoustic strings, brass and piano as better on the Modx and the virtual tone wheel organs and synths significantly better on the Fantom 0.

Personally, as a Fantom 0 user I find that whilst the acoustic instruments may not compare to a sample library like Eastwest Hollywood Opus, the differences between the Fantom and the Modx are insignificant. Put them in a live mix or even a simple layer with a little FX and all the Fantom and Modx sounds are more than good enough.

On features alone, the Fantom 0 still wins over Yamaha's third attempt at a Modx , with drum pads, model expansions, sampler and far better pattern based sequencer. However, many of the big show stoppers like the woeful keyboard, lack of 8 faders, no dynamic edit controls under the touch screen have been addressesd. I'd be reasonably happy taking either board home with the current Modx M or Fantom 0.

If down to sound, Roland wins for me because I personally prefer the classic Roland synth sounds over the Yamaha's FM engine. However, given you ready have that in Zenology, the Modx M may be a better buy to widen your sound collection.

Ultimately, whilst I don't think you can go wrong with either, the correct answer is obviously to get both.

[THE INTRANCER]

As some of you know, I have a Fantom 06, and initially before I purchased it for 1000 pounds new, I was considering the original MODX+. At that time the MODX M had not been announced so at that time I made the right choice given the feature difference and quality between these two synthesizers. With the MODX M has the quality of the touch screen been improved to that of the Roland Fantom, I.E, is it more ridged and more reliable? My initial question was going to be about how these FX of these two synths compare. The Fantom has two FX insert blocks and a master FX block out. The two inserts can link in parallel or serial, so the effects can sound dynamic in different ways vie different routing. How does the MODX M compare in this area?