MESSE: Roland's V-Accordian Pleases German Audience
It's like a real accordian but with a V 02/04/04
Go on, give us a squeeze
Before the show we'd heard that there was a mad new Roland product to be announced but we weren't expecting this. But Germans are noted for their love of the accordian both solo and accompanied, so announcing this at the MESSE makes perfect sense. The FR-5 and FR-7 V-Accordions, according to Roland are milestones in digital musical instruments, which probably means that they are the first lightweight, professionally-modeled instruments incorporating the new Physical Behavior Modeling (PBM) technology in a traditional accordion design.
The newly developed Physical Behavior Modeling algorithms faithfully reproduce the characteristics and nuances of an authentic accordion, creating the ability to customize tone, pitch, resonance and tuning characteristics, to name a few. Onboard PBM algorithms include Pressure Variant Amplifier, Pressure Variant Filter, Pressure Variant Pitch, Wave Switching, Mechanical Noise Simulation, Cassotto Modeling and Mussette Tuning.
Both instruments are lightweight and portable, which if you play an accordian and have a bad back, you'll be over the moon about. There's also an onboard digital amplifier and rechargeable Ni-Mh battery pack (optional on the FR-5). For live performance, the FR-7 incorporates a pair of powerful lightweight neodymium woofers and tweeters for a consistent, full range low-end to high-end output.
The FR-7/5 can simulate up to 30 different accordion sound sets, each including 14 Treble Registers, 7 Bass & Chord Registers and 7 Free Bass Registers. The user-friendly interface enables switching instantly from an Italian Jazz sound to a German Folk, French Musette, or historic Bandoneon sound.
In additional to the onboard accordion sounds, the FR-5/7 incorporate 22 of acclaimed Roland orchestral sounds. Traditional and orchestral sound combinations can be easily created and played back, complete with full bellows articulation and unique keyboard modes such as Solo, Dual and High/Low.
V-Accordians proved very popular amongst consenting adults of Germany.
Onboard Orchestral sounds include: Trumpet, Trombone, Sax, Clarinet, Oboe, Harmonica, Violin, Flute, Highland, Zampogna, Jazz Organ, Perc. Organ, Scat Voice, Mandolin, Acoustic Guitar, Acoustic Piano, to name a few. Seven high quality Bass Orchestral sounds can be played separately by the left hand, including: Acoustic Bass, Bowed Bass, Fingered Bass, Picked Bass, Fretless Bass, Bariton Tuba, Bariton Tuba + E. Bass.
Driven by sophisticated digital technology, the V-Accordions don't depend on moving parts to generate sound. This results in an always "in tune" instrument, with both keyboards on each instrument capable of playing within a wide range of octaves.
Either model can be plugged directly into a sound system or a recording device via a 1/4-inch cable. A headphone jack is offered for silent practice, or playing in environments where noise considerations must be made.
The High/Low Mode feature enables control of up to four parts simultaneously in real time from just one V-Accordion. Onboard MIDI functionality allows integration of sound modules, arranger keyboards or an external sequencer via the FBC-7 Footswitch Battery Charger (included).
If you want more information, Waltz over to