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No longer just a software upgrade, Roland Fantom EX is a ‘supercharged’ version of the synth workstation.

Released in November 2023, the EX upgrade for Roland’s Fantom added a handy collection of sound expansions and workflow enhancements to the company’s flagship synthesizer, but was only available as an add-on for existing owners. Now, that’s changed, as it’s just been announced that new purchasers can now buy the full FANTOM EX experience as a complete package.

Today, Roland introduced FANTOM EX, a new flagship synthesizer series designed for professional musicians and producers.

FANTOM EX builds on the original’s foundation, supplementing the core feature set with Roland’s Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) engine and numerous sound expansion titles, including the recently developed JX-3P ACB Expansion. New effects and a host of workflow enhancements are also included.

In addition to the FANTOM 6 EX, FANTOM 7 EX, and FANTOM 8 EX models available to new purchasers, current FANTOM owners can expand their instruments with all EX sounds and features through the FANTOM EX Upgrade for sale on Roland Cloud.

Each FANTOM EX model offers an expansive collection of premium sound engines, including Roland’s ACB, ZEN-Core, V-Piano, SuperNATURAL, and Virtual ToneWheel technologies. Eleven sound expansion titles come as standard, including JUPITER-8, SH-101, and JX-3P ACB Expansions; n/zyme, JD-800, JUNO-106, JUPITER-8, JX-8P, and SH-101 Model Expansions; the German Concert V-Piano Expansion 01; and the SuperNATURAL Acoustic Piano 3 Expansion.

Roland assures us that the FANTOM EX hardware has more than enough grunt to run these expansions and power the expanded roster of effects. There are new “studio-grade” reverbs, for example, along with updated master FX and an analogue filter.

In addition, there’s plenty of controls, audio and MIDI connectivity, a touchscreen, multiple sequencing and recording options, and easy compatibility with a wide range of DAWs.

What they say about it:

“FANTOM EX is primed to be the center of any production universe. Users can directly shape sounds and develop musical ideas with a friendly, ergonomic panel filled with buttons, knobs, and sliders. The color touchscreen dynamically changes to support the task at hand, and it’s now possible to personalize the look by importing custom images for the screensaver and startup view.

The deep onboard sampling and composition tools in FANTOM EX support fast sound creation and quick arrangement of song ideas. Multiple workflow options include the classic Roland TR-REC step sequencer, real-time recording with piano roll editing, and 16 RGB pads for triggering sounds, samples, and clips.

FANTOM EX flows effortlessly into any computer-based production setup. There are dedicated modes for popular software platforms, including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, MainStage, Cubase, and Studio One. With the built-in 16×3 audio/MIDI USB interface, users can mix and layer soft synths with hardware sounds, send sequencer parts to computer tracks, route DAW sources through FANTOM EX effects, and more.

The loaded FANTOM EX rear panel supports connections with a wide range of gear. There are XLR combo connectors for mics and instruments and eight 1/4-inch outputs to route sounds to external destinations. MIDI I/O is also available, along with dual CV/Gate outputs for driving modular and analog synths.

Each FANTOM EX model comes equipped with a premium keyboard and aftertouch support. The FANTOM 8 EX offers the ultimate weighted experience with 88 hammer-action keys, while the 61-note FANTOM 6 EX and 76-note FANTOM 7 EX feature semi-weighted synth action.”

The FANTOM EX Upgrade on Roland Cloud allows owners of the original FANTOM 6/7/8 models to outfit their instruments with the newly added EX features, including JUPITER-8, SH-101, and JX-3P ACB Expansions, n/zyme and JD-800 Model Expansions, two new grand pianos, and all other EX enhancements.

The Roland FANTOM 6 EX, FANTOM 7 EX, and FANTOM 8 EX will be available in the U.S. in April for $3,199.99, $3,699.99, and $4,199.99 respectively.

Roland let us know that their SP-404MKII i Creative Sampler & Effector is getting a new firmware update, version 4.04, in celebration of ‘404 Day’.

This is the SP-404MKII’s most extensive update yet. The update brings enhanced looping, multitrack output, Koala Sampler integration and a 15-waveform sound generator to the popular sampler

The good news is there does seem to be quite a lot packed into the 4.04 update, the first major enhancement being Loop Capture. This essentially lets you get all Ed Sheeran with your SP by creating loops within the unit and then sampling other loops over them (internally or externally) to create entire pieces.

Loop Capture was present and correct in Roland’s SP-555 which came out in 2008 as this classic Roland Loop Capture video demonstrates, so has taken a little while to reach the 404, but is a welcome addition.

Next up, the SP-404 MkII now has integration with the Koala iOS and Android app, a touch-based phone/tablet sampler. You can now control the app parameters with the SP-404MKII and send audio from Koala to and from the SP via USB.

A further update will please DAW users because you can now send audio from selected pads as individual multitrack stems, so you can either edit them in your DAW or send them out for remixes.

Another useful addition is Sound Generator which is based around 15 waveforms generated by the SP-404MKII with which you can create basslines and other melodies. There’s also a new Groove Function that is said to be “inspired by VP-9000 VariPhrase” and it allows you to add subtle or extreme swing to your grooves.

Lastly, we get some extras that all aim to improve the SP-404’s workflow including Preset Measure Sampling, TR-REC Microscope Editing, Sample Merge, and Bounce Pattern Chains.

Here’s what’s new:

• Loop Capture, inspired by the iconic SP-555: Experience fluid live looping by capturing and layering audio of internal samples, external instruments, and mic’d-up sound sources.
• Koala App Integration: Adjust a range of app parameters directly from the SP-404MKII using Koala controller mode, or send audio from Koala to and from your SP via USB for adding effects or recording samples,
• Multipad Export: Send all or selected pads of a pattern as individual multitrack audio for refining SP sessions in a DAW or share files with collaborators for remixing.
• Groove Function: Infuse rhythmic loops and other audio with subtle to extreme groove swing, inspired by VP-9000 VariPhrase.
• Sound Generator: Create basslines and other melodic content using 15 different waveforms generated directly by the SP-404MKII.
• Plus a range of additional new features to further improve workflow like Preset Measure Sampling, TR-REC Microscope Editing, Sample Merge, and Bounce Pattern Chains.

The best news of all is that the 4.04 update is free, so it’s a happy 404 Day to all existing owners. And a bit of a tempter for new ones.

The SP-404Mk2 sells for around £429 / $449 and you can find more information to download the free update from the Roland website.

Today, Behringer announced that its MS-5 synthesizer – an unofficial copy of the Roland SH-5 – is now shipping.

The Behringer MS-5 is an analog synthesizer, that they say features “a faithful reproduction of the original ‘SH-5’ circuit”. The synth voice features 2 VCOs, Multi-Mode VCF, VCA, 2 LFOs, 2 Envelopes and a Ring Modulator.

The MS-5 follows the same format as its earlier Behringer Poly D, so it’s smaller than the original SH-5 and has a keyboard with fewer notes as a result. But for many, the design changes from the original will make the Behringer copy a lot more convenient, especially the fact that the control panel folds flat, making it much more compact to move and store.

The Behringer MS-5 also makes its PCB trim pots directly accessible from the back panel, a huge improvement over some of its previously analog designs, which force you to disassemble the instrument to access tuning trim pots.

Features:

• 37 semi-weighted full-size keys featuring velocity functionality
• Copies original “SH-5” circuitry with matched transistors and JFETs
• Analog signal path
• 2 VCOs with 4 switchable waveshapes and variable pulse widths
• Multi-mode 24 dB diode filters with resonance
• Additional band-pass filter with resonance
• Ring modulator with LFO control and external input
• Signal mixer with multiple destinations
• Soft and hard synchronization for VCO 2
• 2 analog LFOs with saw, triangle, square and sine waveforms
• Sample & hold circuitry with adjustable delay time
• Noise generator with white and pink noise for expanded waveform generation
• 71 controls give you direct and real-time access to important parameters
• Front panel can be laid flat or tilted in multiple angles for easy access of controls
• External audio input for processing external sound sources
• Stereo outputs featuring servo-balanced stages for highest signal integrity
• 2 pedal inputs for controlling filter cutoff and oscillator pitch
• CV/Gate in and out for connecting to external equipment
• MIDI support, with MIDI channel and Voice Priority selection

The Behringer MS-5 is priced at $599, and they say it is shipping now from the factory. Note that it can take a month or more from when the company ships instruments from its factory for them to become available at its retailers.

Watch the official Behringer MS-5 intro video above, and then share your thoughts on the synth in the comments!