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Roland FA-06/FA-07/FA-08 Music Workstation Performance

Roland FA-06/FA-07/FA-08 Music Workstation Performance

Walk-through 1: Sound preview of single tones

Walk-through 1: Sound preview of single tones

Walk-through 2: Layer/Split Examples

Walk-through 2: Layer/Split Examples

Walk-through 3: Tone Remain examples

Walk-through 3: Tone Remain examples

Roland

Description

Roland's new FA Series completely reimagines the music workstation, streamlining it for effortless realtime power, ultra-fast workflow, and maximum versatility. Ready to support any type of music you play, the FA-06 is packed with a massive sound collection inherited from the flagship INTEGRA-7, a ton of studio-quality effects, and expressive real-time controls, plus onboard sampling with zero load time for instant audio playback from the 16 backlit pads. The sequencer features simple operation and non-stop loop recording, letting you capture songs and ideas as they come and export them as multitrack data to use with your DAW. Flowing seamlessly into every part of your creative world, the FA-06 morphs instantly from a standalone keyboard to become the command center of your computer music studio, with USB audio/MIDI interfacing, powerful real-time controllers, DAW transport controls, and much more.

NO WORK, ALL PLAY
Music workstations play an important role for keyboardists in a wide range of creative activities, from live performance to song development to production in the studio. However, they can often be complicated and difficult to use to their full potential, bogging down the creative process and inhibiting the flow of ideas. In developing the FA series, Roland has completely reimagined the music workstation to provide musicians an inspiring platform that's extremely powerful and versatile, yet simple and intuitive at the same time. With a streamlined interface and focused, practical features that maximize your creative flow, the FA series allows you to experience newfound freedom to deeply explore and develop your musical ideas with less effort than ever before.

PERFORM AND RECORD WITH A MASSIVE SELECTION OF ROLAND'S VERY BEST SOUNDS
The true measure of any music workstation lies with the quality and diversity of its sounds. Filled with over 2000 tones directly inherited from the INTEGRA-7, Roland's flagship pro sound module, the FA series truly delivers in this area and then some. All of the INTEGRA-7's SuperNATURAL synth and XV-5080 PCM tones are onboard, plus an essential collection of ultra-expressive SuperNATURAL acoustic tones that includes pianos, organs, drums, bass, strings, and more. The FA-06's sound engine is fully compatible with the large, growing collection of INTEGRA-7 synth tones available as free downloads from Roland's Axial sound library site, and it's also possible to expand the onboard sound set with FA-series wave sound expansion collections.

CAPTURE IDEAS AND CREATE SONGS WITHOUT INTERRUPTION
Simple yet powerful, the FA-06's intuitive 16-track sequencer has been designed to let you capture your inspiration as it happens-recording is always just a simple button press away, ensuring that you'll never lose an idea. In a flash, you can build a full arrangement with the FA-06's huge array of sounds, and with continuous recording in loop mode, you're able to fill up all 16 tracks without ever stopping! In addition to real-time capture, step recording is also possible, and you have complete control to edit and mix your tracks as you go and save your song to an SDHC card as a stereo audio file. It's also possible to export your tracks as individual WAV audio files and/or MIDI data for further development in your DAW, making the FA-06 a powerful sketchpad for capturing initial sparks that will form the basis for your full-scale computer music productions.

SEAMLESS HARDWARE INTEGRATION WITH YOUR DAW
In addition to standalone use as a performance instrument and composing workstation, the FA-06 transitions into your computer-based music production world with ease. A simple press of the dedicated DAW Control button instantly sets up the FA-06 to communicate with your computer via USB*, letting you use the keyboard and knobs to send MIDI data to your DAW for playing software synths, controlling plug-in effects, and more. The FA-06 also includes control maps for popular DAWs, providing a quick and easy setup to control transport functions and more in your specific software. You can even use the FA-06 as a USB audio interface to record a variety of different sources directly into your DAW, including a mic, guitar, or stereo line level device connected to the FA-06's rear-panel input jacks, and you can capture the FA-06's internal sounds and sampler playback as well. Sound output is also supported, allowing you to monitor the DAW output through the stereo output and headphones jacks on the FA-06.

*USB communication requires installation of the FA-series USB driver on your computer.

INSTANT-ACCESS PERFORMANCE SAMPLER ONBOARD
Based on Roland's mega-popular SP-404SX, the sampler in the FA series features fun, fast, hands-on operation and sampling/playback via convenient SDHC cards. You can play audio samples directly from the 16 pads on the FA-06 panel, making it easy to expand your performances with loops, backing tracks, one-shots, vocal phrases, sound FX, and more. Thanks to SDHC flash memory, your samples load instantly with no wait time, and you can use the four pad banks and clipboard function to rearrange your samples as needed for any performance. It's super-easy to sample the FA-06's own sounds or external sources via the Mic/Guitar and Line inputs, and you can even play WAV, AIFF, or MP3 samples that you've transferred from your computer. A variety of editing features allow you to tweak your samples to taste, including quick adjustment of playback position and level. In addition to sample triggering, the pads can be used for numerous functions such as muting parts, entering numeric values in the display, and more.

ENHANCE YOUR SOUNDS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF SIMULTANEOUS EFFECTS
With its large selection of pro effects, the FA-06 provides numerous options for polishing your sounds and sequencer tracks to studio-level perfection. Independent MFX engines are available for all 16 parts of a Studio Set, giving you an enormous level of sound shaping for both live playing and song mixing. Each MFX engine contains 67 different effects types to choose from, with an additional option of a vocoder when MFX are used with Part 1. Six separate COMP+EQ processors are dedicated for individual drum sounds, while global EQ, chorus, and reverb are on tap to add a finishing touch to any of your parts as needed. With the unique TFX (total effects), you also have the ability to process the entire output of the FA-06 with dramatic effects such as DJ FX Looper, Isolator, and many others. All the effects can be tweaked in real time via the Sound Modify knobs, making it simple to enhance your keyboard playing, sampling, and sequencer tracks with dynamic sonic textures.

FAST WORKFLOW AND INTUITIVE REAL-TIME CONTROL
You can feel the speed of this new breed of instrument the moment you hit the power switch-unlike many workstations that can take a minute or more to boot, the FA-06 is ready to play in seconds. The panel is logically organized into dedicated sections, and the large color LCD presents a gorgeous look with inviting hi-res graphics for selecting tones, working with the sequencer, and adjusting various settings. It's easy to navigate through the FA-06's large sound selection by category and assign favorites for fast recall, while dedicated buttons deliver instant access to often-used functions such as transpose, octave range, and many others. With six knobs and a powerful yet easy-to-use assignment matrix, the Sound Modify section lets you control a wide range of parameters in real time for maximum expression while performing live and working in the studio.
Clearance Roland FA-06 61-Key Workstation
Clearance Roland FA-06 61-Key Workstation
Clearance Roland FA-06 61-Key Workstation

Features

  • Reimagined music workstation designed to maximize your creative flow
  • Light, mobile body with 61-note velocity-sensitive keyboard
  • Over 2000 sounds from the flagship INTEGRA-7 sound module
  • Fully compatible with expansive collection of free INTEGRA-7 synth tones
  • 16-track sequencer with non-stop loop recording
  • Polish your sounds with studio-quality effects
  • 6 user-assignable Sound Modify knobs
  • Intuitive, streamlined interface with large color LCD
  • Guitar/Mic and Line input jacks for performing, sampling, and DAW audio recording
  • USB ports for sound expansion data, updates, and audio/MIDI interfacing with a computer
  • Sustain pedal sold separately

Specs

Keyboard Section:
  • 61 keys (with velocity)
Power Supply:
  • AC Adaptor
Current draw:
  • 1,300 mA
Accessories:
  • Quick Start
  • Leaflet "USING THE UNIT SAFELY"
  • SD Card (installed in the product when shipped from the factory)
  • SD Card Protector (installed in the product when shipped from the factory)
  • AC Adaptor
  • Power Cord
SIZE AND WEIGHT:
  • Width
  • 1008 mm
  • 39-11/16 inches
Depth
  • 300 mm
  • 11-13/16 inches
Height
  • 101 mm
  • 4 inches
Weight
  • 5.7 kg
  • 12 lbs. 10 oz.

Reviews

4.15

13 Reviews

88%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Most Liked Positive Review

4

12.6lb Powerhouse

I'd taken a couple years away from bands and was working on my own material with software synths and controllers. A friend and I started putting a new project together, and I decided that I wanted to get my hands back on a physical workstation that was powerful enough for studio work but light enough for gigging without a crew. I went back and forth between Yamaha, Korg, and even Nord. I do have a Krome in my studio as well. Now, full disclosure...the first time I briefly checked out the FA-06 in the store I walked away with no desire to own one. Then I did my research, and learned just how deep the board could go...and I went back to the store to have a very different experience. Great sounds on this. Acoustic pianos aren't my cup of tea, but the Roland Axial site has plenty to make up for it if I really need a better patch. I've also already added the electric piano collection from the site and have no complaints with the EPs after that. Hey, it's free... The synths in this board just rock...the old Jupiter 8 sounds I like are in there, and more can be downloaded. Roland also has always had just some killer rock leads, and this board doesn't disappoint there either. You are always in "Studio Set" mode in the board, really, but that's actually very powerful. Single tone? Easy. Split? Press a button, done. Layer? Press a button, done. Want 16 active tones with different splits and levels, each reacting or not reacting to midi messages as you see fit individually? Guess what...EASY! That's what I couldn't believe; the board is crazy, silly, amazingly simple to get around even without a touch screen. I do find myself occasionally tapping the screen if I've been playing on a Korg, but then I chuckle and just use a key shortcut to do what I need. It's fast, fast fast. Arrow keys get a little kludgy, but the wheel makes up for it. The keybed actually is more to my taste than the Korg Krome or Yamaha MOX...there is more positive reinforcement, a little more of a defined snap to the action. The keys are a slight bit smaller, however, so pianists should look to the FA-08. Two places I would dock the board a little...first is a cable wart. I would much rather have a little extra weight and have the power supply be internal. The other is the sampler, which only allows samples to be assigned to non-velocity sensitive pads. If this board allowed sampling directly to the keys, I'd be utterly devoted. That said, one of the features it has is simply awesome, and that is the ability to act as an audio interface for a connected computer via USB. I play some soft synths live, and not having to carry and cable up a second interface rocks. My soft synths just play out through the main left / right like anything on the board itself. I would buy this board again, no question about it. In fact, I'm thinking about adding an 08 to act as a lower board, moving the 06 up and ditching my upper tier controller.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

3

good synth engine ....but

The synth engine is very good as expected but the font on the screen is so teeny tiny, the font on the case is hard to read as it's good on black and the arrow buttons are almost black on black so you will need to learn what they are and go by memory not reading. So it's all a little painful to navigate, too bad, a larger screen would have sealed the deal, back to GC it goes.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Electronic Music7
  2. Accompaniment5
  3. Concerts5
  4. Learning5
  5. MIDI4
Cons
  1. Difficult to Use1
  2. Limited Sound Selection1
  3. No editor software from Roland1
  4. Should've came with a sustain/damper pedal1
  5. tiny font1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced6
  2. Novice1
  3. Professional Musician1
Pros
  1. Portable9
  2. Good Audio8
  3. Responsive / Good Action8
  4. Easy to Use7
  5. Touch Sensitive Keys6
  • Great Workstation

    5

    submitted4 years ago

    byKeith

    fromLathrup Village,Mi

    I used this keyboard for writing and preforming! Wish you could play samples in the keyboard as well as pad! I use the Juno for that!

  • A step up in quality and sound for me.

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted5 years ago

    byMorris K

    fromCentral New York State

    I've purchased & used Roland keyboards for quite a few years but have had to settle for the lower priced units b/c of financial reasons. FINALLY I had a chance to purchase a mid-tier (for me) keyboard in the form of the FA-06. The unit was a reduced price "open box" item but was def in mint condition. The keybed w/ semi-weighted keys has a better feel than the lower priced products. It would be nice if the keys had aftertouch but that's a minor issue. There are a ton of good/very good preset sounds (about 2,000) and hundreds more are available online. Grouping favorite sounds together in multiples of 10 is easy using the "FAVORITE" button. Scrolling thru presets & menus can be done easily w/ the data wheel and moving from one parameter to another is easy with the "SHIFT" button. I'm not a keyboard guru but I was able to preview 100's of presets and set up a group of favorite sounds in less than an hour. The only issue I have is the lack of a Roland supplied offline editor – BUT if you Google [FA-06/07/08 Editor for Windows] you may find something (wink-wink). The unit has a decent sized multi color display, is light weight and yet still has a solid build. I currently have no use for workstation or sequencer functions so I can't comment of them (yet). If you can't afford an actual Fantom, this could be an affordable alternative.

  • Great Roland product and easy to use

    4

    submitted6 years ago

    byClyde

    fromChicago

    Easy to use and great sounds

  • Excellent quality! Would definitely buy again.

    5

    submitted6 years ago

    byMusic Dr.

    fromStatesboro, GA

    I primarily play guitar and other stringed instruments. I use this unit for adding other instruments to my recordings, such as orchestra, synths, brass, etc. It works really well with my DAW and is extremely easy to connect and use. It also connects easily to external speakers. It comes preloaded with most of the sounds I need so I have not had to find additional instruments at this time. I have not tried the MIDI functions as I prefer to play and record from the instrument itself rather than use MIDI.

  • Great sounds, but not east to navigate

    4

    submitted7 years ago

    byLZ

    fromWest Coast

    Roland FA-06 has some good sounds and features. The piano and EP sounds are great. There are some great synth sounds too. The sequencer is good, but hard to setup thru the little LCD screen. I really like the sounds, but don't like trying to navigate the menu system.

  • I give it a perfect - minus

    4

    submitted7 years ago

    byBar Juda

    fromMilwaukee

    Best out & room for improvement

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Q&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • asked byRajib

    fromArlington VA

    Is that product Made is Japen?

    Open Reply - Beau
    This keyboard was made in Japan.
  • asked byRajib

    fromArlington va

    Is this product Made in Japan?

    Open Reply - Beau
    This workstation was made in Japan.
  • asked byFrankie

    fromundisclosed

    Does keyboard respond to half pedaling?

    Open Reply - Beau
    This keyboard would respond to half pedaling.