Please help ... regarding Fantom - PC connection

[Denis007]

Hello,

 

I bought the Roland Fantom and now I would like to get familiar with recording possiblities using Fantom and PC.

 

I guess first question whould be ;

1. What is the best way of conecting the Fantom to PC. I have noticed that it has two types of outputs; standard audio(4) and digital (optical and coax).Which ones are the best to use for PC conection, and what is the difference between those outputs?

Which one should be conected to PC, and to which input ?

 

2. Do I need to have a special sound card in order to get a high quality sounds, or it doesn't matter at all since I am using sounds from Roland. If I do, what kind of sound card do you recomend ?

 

3. I already have the Sound Forge.Is this enought to start recording or do I need some other applications.

 

So far I was making songs directly on the board but I would like to transfer them in MP3 or .wav format. Also I have heard that a PC gives much more posibilities than the board itself regarding composing.

 

Sorry if I am bothering you with these basic questions but I guess I need to start from begining and therefore I would appreciate your help.

 

Thanks a lot.

Denis

[Poelo]

Perhaps you bought the wrong thing for what you're asking for. The Roland 5050 offers a connection for programing the sounds from a pc.

On the Fantom you have to program within the keyboard. Not to big of a deal perhaps since the screen is quite large on it.

The output-connections on the Fantom are 4 mono analog and a S/PDIF=stereo digital. The digital output should be connected to the same on the soundcard of your pc.

Just get a soundcard with S/PDIF(you should get a 24 bit one though).

By the way, Fantom is my favorite even though the 5080(not the 5050) is a more flexible machine, having 8 ch out-digital that you can connect to your pc.

 

/Poelo

[Denis007]

Hello Poelo,

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

I am not planning to do any sound programming from my PC, and therefore I do not miss the feature that 5050 has.

I'll be making sounds on the Fantom and just use PC to record my performances.

 

I will use PC more like a sampler which will record my performances in .wav format.

Then I will use that sample and mix it with some other samples by using Sound Forge.

 

Do you think this is possible ?

 

Regarding the outputs, the manual indicates that Fantom has 4 audio outputs which can be used as mono individual jacks or as stereo output jacks.

The setting is made through the Output Assign setting on the board.

 

I guess I have to go shopping for some nice sound card with the S/P DIF interface.

Any recommendations ?

 

Thanks

 

PS

It is nice to hear that you like the Fantom too.

[Poelo]

I am not planning to do any sound programming from my PC, and therefore I do not miss the feature that 5050 has.

I'll be making sounds on the Fantom and just use PC to record my performances.

I will use PC more like a sampler which will record my performances in .wav format.

Then I will use that sample and mix it with some other samples by using Sound Forge.

 

Do you think this is possible ?

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Does Sound Forge have a sequencer?

If so, you should bounce one stereo-sound at a time through the S/PDIF.

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Regarding the outputs, the manual indicates that Fantom has 4 audio outputs which can be used as mono individual jacks or as stereo output jacks.

The setting is made through the Output Assign setting on the board.

-----------------------------------

Those are analog outputs, meaning, in order to go into your computer you have to go digital to analog and then from analog to digital.

In other words, use the digital connection(S/PDIF) to stay in digital.

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I guess I have to go shopping for some nice sound card with the S/P DIF interface.

Any recommendations ?

----------------------------------------

Not really, but it shouldn't cost you that much. About $100 to $250 I guess, since you'll only need one S/PDIF connection. 24 bit though. Some of Fantoms effects are that high. And, not to forget, a midi conection, if you don't allready have one.

If you want to secure your future, you should look into the RME digital(something)box with plenty of different digital inputs and outputs.

I think that one is about $500-$600 though, but look it up, I'm not sure.

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It is nice to hear that you like the Fantom too.

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Yeah, I love it, and I can't wait getting the new cards.

 

/Poelo