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Roland Fantom G7 aftertouch issue

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Roland Fantom G7 aftertouch issue

8 Oct 2010, 03:59
I purchased a used (looks like new) Fantom G7.

I noticed that aftertouch responds only when applied * A LOT * of pressure to the keys. It's even heavier than my X7.

The midrange of keys respond the latest to very heavy pressure. The lowest octave and highest octave respond to 'mild to heavy' pressure.

This makes using aftertouch impossible.

I opened up the G7 and disassembled the keyboard;
I removed a couple of keys to get to the touchsensitive resistor strip;
I started measuring with a resistor meter and found out that the strip reponds to pressure very easily. It's resistance starts with about 700 kOhm with low pressure and goes down to about 1 kOhm with heavy pressure.

Since the Fantom responds to heavy pressure I conclude that the Fantom's aftertouch features triggers only when resistance is between (estimate) 3 kOhm and 0 kOhm. This is just a minor fraction of the range of resistance of the strip (0.5 %).

To my humble opion, this issue can be solved by :
1. using a strip with another resistor range (0 - 50 kOhm or so)
2. change the firmware so the aftertouch gets triggered at 50 kOhm instead of 3 kOhm
3. make it user configurable (!) And no, the setting in the systemmenu doesn't do this. that setting only affects the range AFTER first trigger.

I sincerely hope this gets picked up, since now, aftertouch is completely useless to me.

Re: Roland Fantom G7 aftertouch issue

8 Oct 2010, 04:48
and the aftertouch sens. setting in the system settings

Re: Roland Fantom G7 aftertouch issue

8 Oct 2010, 06:51
well, I record a phrase with the aftertouch sensitivy to 50 .... Still the aftertouch varies from 0 tot 127 (cc messages).

You said ".... that setting only affects the range AFTER first trigger. " ... I'm not sure.

Re: Roland Fantom G7 aftertouch issue

8 Oct 2010, 07:34
That setting (aftertouch sens) has nothing to do with the possible range of aftertouch values. It just makes it even more difficult to get aftertouch going (need more pressure with lower values).

To keep this on topic, does your 'G' also have this 'heavy pressure' problem?

Re: Roland Fantom G7 aftertouch issue

8 Oct 2010, 09:57
sutur, what is the setting for your aftertouch sensitivity?

The value of "100" is the most sensitive.

Have you tried a Factor Settings Reset? (Ensuring the keys are not depressed when it is performed)

I have no issues with my G7. I had issues with my X7 in that is was too sensitive, had to make adjustments to solve it.

If these relatively simple adjustments don't work, I recommend you contact Roland Service.

We don't normal have access to the firmware on keyboards. And I bet that the keyboard is scanned for initial values during boot up or during the Facotry Reset procedure. Similar to how the system determines the action of many of the other controllers.

The Range of Aftertouch is alway 128 units via the cc message, but where zero point is can affect the feel of the control.

Was this keyboard exposed to a harsh environment? Maybe someone spilled a coke inside of it. (I had this problem with my Korg Prophecy, I solved it by using tuner cleaner on the contact pads)

PS. not sure but there might be some interaction between velocity curve settings and aftertouch, you should verify this also. It's all on page 288 of the manual.

I would also recommend you experiment the way Jabberwacky did. record a few notes varying you touch velocity and aftertouch pressure and review the effect in a sequencer editor to see what values you are getting.
Fantom G & X7, Motif XS6, M3, V-synth, JP8000, M1, Wavestation, Radias, Nord Lead 2X, Karma, Snow, electribes and other groove boxes.

Re: Roland Fantom G7 aftertouch issue

8 Oct 2010, 15:20
@Atlas5,

The setting is 100, most sensitive.
Did the factory reset, no result.

I think it's a hardware fault. Most of the keys require enormous pressure, but the highest octave responds reasonably well.

As I wrote, I opened up the G7 and disassembled the keyboard section. It looks perfect. I removed half of the keys to get to the touchsensivite strip. It has nothing to do with rubber contacts. Aftertouchstrip is 1 strip for all keys. Applying pressure on keys pushes the strip, and the restistance drops as a result. I cannot tell why the upper keys perform rather fine. The strip looks the same over the full length (it's covered with 3 mm of felt). However, the keys are limited by stoppers, so there's a fixed limit of how far they can be pushed. Maybe they cannot be pushed far enough and I need to put another layer of felt on top to decrease the distance.

It's an used G7 and it looks as good as new. The touch of the keys is fine. I don't think this thing has been abused, and no traces of spilled drinks in it.

The range of AT events is complete, 0-127, but heavy pressure is needed to get there. The effect of aftertouch applied is directly shown in the main patch screen, it's obviously working, but it's working 'too late' .

The aftertouch sense setting determins the threshold of the pressure. 100 is the most sensitive (less pressure needed), 0 does not respond to AT at all. And I don't think there is interaction between Velocity settings and aftertouch, since they are electronically and mechanically completely different and seperated.

Thanks

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