u/Heavy_Lifeguard8806

Hi everyone!

I currently own a Yamaha MODX7 and will hopefully be getting a Roland FANTOM 7 EX soon. I'm trying to figure out the best way to connect everything together, but I'm having some trouble choosing the right audio interface.

I'd like to connect both synthesizers to the same interface and listen to them simultaneously through my headphones and, eventually, through a pair of studio monitors or active PA speakers.

My headphones are Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO (250 ohms), so I also need an interface with a headphone output powerful enough to drive them properly. I currently have some issues getting enough volume from my MODX7's headphone output without turning it up too much.

I'd also like to connect a microphone to the interface because I want to do livestreams and Discord calls. Ideally, people on Discord should be able to hear both synthesizers and my microphone at the same time, while I can hear everything through my headphones.

I'd also like to record my synths on my computer, preferably as separate stereo tracks in a DAW, rather than having everything mixed into a single stereo track.

So, ideally, I'd need an interface that can:

- Connect both synths in stereo (four line inputs in total).

- Connect a microphone at the same time.

- Drive my 250-ohm Beyerdynamic headphones properly.

- Send a mix of both synths and my microphone to Discord and livestreaming software.

- Allow me to record both synths separately in my DAW.

- Connect to a pair of studio monitors or active PA speakers.

- Ideally, handle audio routing and loopback without requiring too much complicated software setup.

I'm looking for something with good sound quality and reliable performance, but I don't want to spend a fortune. I'd really appreciate recommendations for an interface that can handle all of this without being unnecessarily expensive.

I'd also be grateful for advice on how to route everything correctly, especially how to send the combined synth and microphone audio to Discord while still recording the synths separately on my computer.

Thanks in advance for any help!

And also sorry for the big text.

I bought a Yamaha MODX7 about 4 years ago. I already knew how to play keyboard/piano, so playing the keys themselves wasn't really an issue. The problem was learning the synth side of things.

I had never owned a synthesizer/workstation before, and although I can now do the basics and I can "kind" of produce covers, I still struggle with things like LFOs, oscillators, algorithms, sequencing, sound design, etc.

I've been seriously trying to learn the MODX for the last couple of years. I've definitely learned a lot, but I feel like I'm getting much less out of it than I should be. The workflow and menu diving often make things feel more complicated than they need to be, especially when I'm trying to learn something from scratch.

Lately I've been considering selling the MODX7 and getting a Roland FANTOM-07 instead. From what I've seen, the FANTOM-0 seems much more hands-on and intuitive, with more dedicated controls, buttons and shortcuts right in front of you, and less menu diving.

I'm mainly interested in synth-pop, 80s synths, AOR, synthwave, etc., and I'd really like to learn synthesis properly while also being able to build complete songs using the sequencer, drum machine, layers, LFOs, etc.

I know the MODX has some advantages, especially when it comes to acoustic pianos, electric pianos, FM-X, and overall synthesis depth. But at this point I'm wondering whether the MODX is actually holding me back simply because I find its workflow difficult to understand.

So what do you think? Has anyone here gone from a MODX/Montage to a FANTOM/FANTOM-0, or made a similar switch because of workflow and learning curve?

Would switching to the FANTOM-07 make sense in my situation, or would I be better off sticking with the MODX and forcing myself to learn it?