Rating: 9.2/10 | Street Price: $3,499 | Roland | Keyboards and Synthesizers

Roland has been making workstation keyboards for decades, and with the Fantom-8, they have produced what many professional musicians consider the definitive statement of the form.

This is an 88-key weighted action synthesizer, sampler, and sequencer that can function as the nerve center of a professional studio setup or as a complete standalone performance instrument. The key action is Roland’s PHA-50, which simulates the feel of an acoustic piano with remarkable fidelity.

Sound Engine

The Fantom’s sound engine combines Roland’s ZEN-Core synthesis technology with a high-resolution sampler. The onboard sounds are exceptional — particularly the electric pianos. The Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer emulations capture the warmth and authenticity of the actual instruments with the best I have heard in any workstation.

Verdict

The Fantom-8 is the keyboard workstation that professional R&B and soul musicians have been waiting for. Deep enough for serious studio work, expressive enough for live performance.