Roland Fantom-8 vs Yamaha MONTAGE M
Two flagship workstations at $3,499. The Fantom-8 pairs a PHA-50 wooden-hybrid 88-key action with ZEN-Core, V-Piano modelling, a VTW organ and SuperNATURAL in a 27.7 kg chassis; the MONTAGE M counters with AWM2, FM-X and AN-X engines, 4,000 sounds and 256-note polyphony in 28.1 kg.
| Roland Fantom-8 | Yamaha MONTAGE M | |
|---|---|---|
| Key action | PHA-50 (Wood and Plastic Hybrid Structure, with Escapement and Ebony/Ivory Feel, channel aftertouch) | GEX Keyboard |
| Aftertouch | yes (channel aftertouch) | — |
| Polyphony | 256 | 256 |
| Sounds / presets | 3 | 4000 |
| Sequencer | MIDI Tracks 16 (Internal/External) | 16-track |
| Sound engine | ZEN-Core + V-Piano Technology (ZONE1) + VTW Organ (ZONE2) + SuperNATURAL | AWM2 + FM-X + AN-X (virtual analog) |
| Effects | Multi-Effects 16 systems/90 types; Part EQ 16; Insertion 2×90; TFX 1×90; Input MFX 2; Chorus 9; Reverb 7; Master Comp/EQ | VCM + SPX |
| Speakers | None (line out only) | None (line out only) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| USB audio | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 27.7 kg | 28.1 kg |
| Released | 2019 | 2023 |
| Status | discontinued | current |
| Keys | 88 | 88 |
| Category | workstation | — |
| Dimensions | 1432 x 439 x 153 mm | — |
| Power Consumption | 50 W | — |
| Parts | 16 Zones | — |
| Scenes | 128 Scenes × 4 Bank | — |
| 1 Noise; Effects | — | Reverb x 12 |
| Master Effect X 26; Sequencer | — | 16 Sequence tracks Song/Pattern |
Which one should you buy?
- Choose the Roland Fantom-8 if lighter to carry to gigs and lessons (27.7 kg vs 28.1 kg).
- Choose the Yamaha MONTAGE M if you want more variety of built-in voices (3 vs 4000).
Roland Fantom-8
The Fantom-8 is the choice for piano and organ work from a workstation: PHA-50 hammer action with channel aftertouch, V-Piano modelling reserved for zone 1, and 16 zones with 128 scenes across 4 banks.
Yamaha MONTAGE M
The MONTAGE M is the synthesist's flagship: AN-X virtual analog alongside AWM2 and FM-X, 4,000 sounds, 16-track sequencing at 480 ppq, and the GEX keyboard.
Full spec sheets: Roland Fantom-8 · Yamaha MONTAGE M. Rows with a highlighted background differ.