Roland Digital Accordions.
The tradition outside. The future inside.
FR-7/5 • FR-3s/3 • FR-3sW • FR-7b/5b • FR-3sb/3b • FR-3sbW
Covered by U.S. Patent N° 6,946,594
BELLOWS PRESSURE
Reed Inertia
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On
Off
16’
8’
2’
2/3
BELLOWS PRESSURE
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BELLOWS PRESSURE
Hz
8’
16’
2’ 2/3
In Tune
Sergio Scappini
Scappin
i
he History
he Technology
Around the middle of the 19th century, a new concept that involved a
bellows and a free-reed mechanism was developed in Central Europe.
It heralded the introduction of a totally new instrument - the acoustic
accordion. Since then, its unique character, portability, and variety of
sounds have made the accordion a tremendously popular instrument
all over the world. Due to its complex mechanism and portability, the
acoustic accordion long appeared an instrument that couldn’t be
improved using digital technology.
Until Roland introduced the V-Accordion series - the fi rst instruments of
their kind to provide powerful digital modelling technology in a traditional,
immediately familiar, accordion design, and with performance functions
and authentic sounds that appealed to a wide range of players.
The History
Past and future
PBM (Physical Behaviour Modelling)
At the heart of the V-Accordion is Roland’s new, proprietary PBM sound
engine and modelling technology. Physical Behaviour Modelling uses
complex algorithms to accurately recreate an acoustic accordion’s sound
characteristics. The result is a faithful simulation of the actual physical
behaviour and expressive nuances of an acoustic instrument.
Bellows Movement Modelling
PVA (Pressure Variant Amplifi er)
This function controls the dynamics of each
reed sound, based on the high-resolution
bellows pressure sensor. Starting and
stopping, hysteresis threshold, inertia,
expression curve, and volume are all
individually programmed to reproduce a
true free-reed sound.
PVF (Pressure Variant Filter)
The tone colour of each reed sound is also
shaped in real-time by the dedicated DSP
(Digital Signal Processor), responding
accurately to each expressive playing nuance applied by the bellows.
PVP (Pressure Variant Pitch)
The pitch of each simulated reed is varied individually. As the bellows
is pushed or pulled more forcefully, the
sound becomes fatter and richer, because
each simulated reed exhibits a “natural”
tendency to go out of tune.
Musette Tuning
Based on extensive research of the
different tuning types used throughout
the world the V-Accordion’s note-by-note
micro-tuning feature allows a V-Accordion to authentically reproduce many
different accordion types for various genres of music.
The Technology
Hysteresis Thresholds
Expression Curve
Roland is pleased to introduce another
milestone in digital musical instrument
history– the V-Accordion with pianotype treble keyboards. This line-up
is the fi rst to successfully integrate
cutting-edge digital technology, such
as our proprietary “Physical Behaviour
Modelling” (PBM), into a traditional
accordion design, offering performance
features and authentic sounds perfect
for a wide range of musical styles.
The Roland V-Accordion series of pianotype instruments comprises 5 models
and 3 colour variations: FR-7 (grey/red),
FR-5 (grey/red), FR-3s (grey), FR-3
(grey), and FR-3s (white).
The fl agship, the FR-7, provides 41
velocity-sensitive piano-type keys,
aftertouch and 40 Accordion sets, and
a Master bar. The FR-5 shares these
features, but comes without speakers or
an amplifi cation system. The lightweight
and portable FR-3s and FR-3 are fi tted
with 37 velocity-sensitive keys. While
the FR-3s contains an onboard digital
amplifi er and two speakers, the FR-3
doesn’t, and is therefore the lightest
member of the V-Accordion family, but
just as fl exible as the FR-3s.
How about treating yourself to
something exclusive? With the FR-3s
WHITE, you are sure to stand out from
the crowd: the elegant pearl-white
cabinet and gorgeously decorated
bellows are complemented with highly
attractive accessories (shoulder straps,
bass strap cushion and bellows stop)
made of real leather and Alcantara®.
All V-Accordion models offer selectable
Bass & Chord modes (6 modes: 2 Bass
Rows, 3 Bass Rows A7th, 3 Bass Rows
A5dim, 3 Bass Rows B7th, 3 Bass Rows
B5dim, 3 Bass Rows Bx) and Free Bass
modes (5 modes: Minor 3rd, Bajan,
Fifth, N.Europe, Finnish).
Alcantara® is a registered trademark of Alcantara Spa., Italy
V-Accordion
Line-up
Piano-type
Treble Keyboard
Models
FR-7/-5 pianotype
FR-3s/-3 pianotype
FR-7/5 Version 2
FR-3s/FR-3
Super Realistic Accordion Simulations
The FR-7 and FR-5 have 41 treble keys and
can simulate up to 40 different accordion
instruments, each including 14 treble registers,
7 bass & chord registers, 7 free bass registers, 7
orchestral free bass, 7 orchestral bass registers,
and 7 orchestral chord registers.To create these
high quality sounds, Roland engineers have
sampled scores of popular acoustic accordions.
For the fi rst time in history, a single instrument
can faithfully reproduce various traditional
accordion models, complete with their different
tuning characteristics. As a result, the FR-7
and FR-5 allow you to switch instantly from an Italian Jazz to a German
Folk accordion, from French Musette to a historic Bandoneon – and
everything in between.
Orchestral Sounds Combined with Traditional Accordion
Sounds
Traditional accordion and orchestral sounds can be easily combined and
played with full bellows articulation. Several unique keyboard modes
(Solo, Dual and High/Low) provide amazing fl exibility and instant sound
switching. The 22 onboard orchestral treble and 7 orchestral bass sounds
can be easily mixed with traditional accordion sounds.
Version 2 is Here!
The FR-7 and FR-5 are now provided with software version 2, which adds
extra value to these V-Accordions: the bass section has been expanded
to include new orchestral chord and orchestral free bass sections.
Moreover, the FR-7/FR-5 provides more MIDI functions and can now act
as “remote control” for external arranger/sounds modules. Note: FR-7/
FR-5 version 1 users can upgrade to version 2. Please, contact your
nearest Roland Service Centre.
Digital Advantages
The FR-7/FR-5 combine the familiar sounds and nuances of a traditional
accordion with the versatility of a modern digital musical instrument. You
can instantly select and switch between a wide range of sounds and/
or types of accordions, or create your own unique timbres and tuning
systems. You can plug directly into an external sound system or recording
device, while the headphone socket is ideal for silent practice.
Moreover, the FR-7/FR-5 combine velocity-sensitive keyboards and a
high-resolution bellows pressure sensor, to create a whole new level of
expressiveness. Using the High or Low mode, you can control up to 2
parts simultaneously in real time from the FR-7/FR-5’s treble keyboard.
Plus, the more you explore the FR-7/FR-5’s capabilities, the more creative
options you’ll discover!
Unique All-In-One
The FR-7 contains a digital amplifi cation system and a rechargeable NiMH battery pack, and is thus a self-contained instrument. The battery
pack powers the amplifi er with a pair of neodymium woofers and tweeters
for a consistent, full-range, low-end to high-end output.
While the FR-5 comes without speakers or amplifi cation system, you can
nevertheless install an optional
rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack
and connect a third-party wireless
system for complete mobility on
stage. Both the FR-7 and the
FR-5 are supplied with a multifootswitch/battery recharger unit
for even more convenient control
options.
The brand-new junior members of the V-Accordion family, the FR-3s and
FR-3 provide all the features of a traditional accordion and a whole lot
more! With a 37-note piano-type treble keyboard, the FR-3s and FR3 are surprisingly compact models. Lightweight and portable, they are
appreciated by budding accordion players and experienced entertainers
alike for their portability and fl exibility!
Realistic Accordion simulations
The FR-3s/FR-3 can simulate up to 10 different accordions, each including 12 treble registers, 7 bass & chord registers, 7 free bass registers, 7
orchestral free bass registers, 7 orchestral bass registers, 7 orchestral
chord registers, and 10 orchestral sounds. The FR-3s/FR-3 faithfully respond to bellows movements and pressure. Stronger inward and outward
movements create a richer, fuller sound, while lighter movements make
the sound softer and quieter. There’s even a unique Bellows Resistance
Regulator that can be set to match the player’s strength or preference.
Increasing or decreasing the bellows’ inertia is simply a matter of selecting one of four positions on a conveniently located wheel.
Educational Features
The FR-3s and FR-3 are ideal for students. Not just because they are the
smallest accordion in the world to provide a free bass mode, but also
thanks to their adjustable metronome. They are also MIDI compatible,
so students can record their performances on their computer. Practising
has never been easier or more effi cient!
Orchestral Sounds
The FR-3s/FR-3 includes 10 orchestral sounds (e.g. trombone, trumpet,
sax, clarinet, fl ute, violin) that can be used together with the traditional
accordion sounds in one of four selectable combinations.
Connections
The FR-3s/FR-3 can be connected to various external devices
(sequencers, arranger keyboards, etc.) using the onboard MIDI socket.
Combined with an optional wireless system connected to the external
outputs, the FR-3s/FR-3 can be used on the biggest stages, granting the
player absolute freedom of movement. Both models are provided with
a compartment for optional AA-type rechargeable batteries. Of course,
the FR-3s and FR-3 also provide a headphone socket. In addition to this,
the FR-3s comes with a set of professional-grade neodymium speakers
(hence the “s” in “FR-3s”).
Multicolour Roland Logo
LED Display Compartment for optional
AA-type batteries (rechargeable)
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