Portable instrument with onboard digital amplification (only on the FR-7b)
Sound
The FR-7b/5b features a 128-voice polyphonic sound engine, 428 tones in 40 accordion sets (each including 14 Treble registers, 7 Bass registers, 7 Free Bass registers, 7 Orchestral Bass registers, 7 Orchestra Chord registers, 7 Orchestra Free Bass registers and 22 Orchestral Sounds).
PBM (Physical Behavior Modeling)
At the heart of the FR-7b/5b is Roland’s proprietary PBM technology for breathtaking sounds and amazing modeling possibilities. Physical Behavior Modeling uses complex algorithms for accurate recreations of every detail of a wide variety of acoustic accordions. All physical behavior aspects and expressive nuances of an acoustic instrument are faithfully reproduced.
Simulations
The FR-7b/5b is capable of simulating up to 40 different accordions (or to create as many virtual instruments) based on samples of popular traditional acoustic accordions, each with its own “idiosyncratic” tuning. It is possible to switch from an Italian jazz accordion to German folk, French Musette, or a historic Bandoneon sound — without physical modifications to the instrument itself. On top of that, each sound can be played using the same familiar accordion techniques.
Orchestral sounds
The FR-7b/5b incorporates Roland’s acclaimed orchestral sounds. 22 orchestral sounds are provided for the treble keyboard, while each bass section (bass, chord, free bass) can trigger its own orchestral sounds.
Flexibility
The V-Accordion faithfully reproduces the familiar sounds and nuances of a traditional accordion, while granting the versatility, flexibility and advantages of a digital musical instrument. You can select and switch between a wide range of sounds and/or accordion types, or create your own unique timbres. Furthermore, both keyboards can be transposed to play within a wide range of keys and octaves.
Unique All-In-One Design
The FR-7b contains a digital amplification system powered by a rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack, and is thus a self-contained instrument. The battery pack powers a pair of neodymium woofers and tweeters for a consistent, full range low-end to high-end output. The high-resolution bellows pressure sensor provides amazing expressive power not available on conventional digital keyboard instruments. The FR-5b contains the same features and sounds of the flagship model of the V-Accordion line but without the speakers and amplification system. The rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack is optional, providing a lightweight model for stage performance. The FR-5b is available in red or dark grey.
Expand your performance capabilities
The V-Accordion introduces revolutionary expressiveness for a digital musical instrument. The right- and left-hand keyboards are both velocity-sensitive, while a master bar adds even more creative options (including aftertouch control). The high-resolution bellows pressure sensor provides amazing expressive power, not available on conventional digital keyboard instruments. Utilizing the high/low modes (notes above/below the first key you press play a different sound), you can control up to 4 parts simultaneously in real-time. Also the FR-7b/5b’s bass section has been expanded to include control of additional orchestral sounds via the orchestra chord and orchestra free bass sections. Moreover, the FR-7b/5b is MIDI-compatible and can be used to control external modules.
Coba
Accordion Hero Plugs In
By Greg Rule & Moto Kuboyama
Who says accordion isn’t a rock-star instrument? Kobayashi “coba” Yasuhiro, a musical hero in Japan, incites frenzy in audiences of all ages. And he’s steadily increasing his “market share” around the world, thanks to contributions on major releases such as Björk’s critically acclaimed Homogenic CD and subsequent world tour. Accordion cool? In the hands of innovative players such as coba, you bet it is!
“When I first started playing accordion at age nine,” says coba, “at that time in Japan it was not a cool instrument, especially among the younger people. No cool performers to lead and inspire the younger generation existed. Once I realized the huge potential of the accordion, I was encouraged to take it to the next phase, the next generation. So, I decided to go over Italy when I was 19 years old.”
The talented accordionist completed his degree at the Luciano Fancelli Conservatorio of Venice in 1980, and proceeded to win many international accordion contests, including first prize at the CMA World Accordion Competition. He quickly established himself as an acclaimed recording artist, and went on to release over 20 albums and EPs. He also collaborated with popular Tokyo-based artists such as Kahimi Karie, Chocolat, and Pizzicato Five.
“Accordion has a mechanism similar to human singing,” coba relates. “For example, the bellows works as lungs, the reed as vocal cords, the valve as lips. So, the accordion ‘sings’ on behalf of my feel, emotion, and soul. Thanks to the bellows, I can express subtle nuance and movement of my feel and emotion. I can unite with this instrument.”
Back when he was teenager, coba had a chance encounter with Roland founder, Mr. Ikutaro Kakehashi, who watched the young musician blaze through a Rick Wakeman composition on accordion. Over 20 years later, coba met Mr. Kakehashi again . . . and Roland’s new V-Accordion. coba quickly embraced the new technology.
“It is quite important to respect the accordion’s history and tradition,” coba says, “but at the same time, we need to evolve. From this standpoint, I hope and believe that the V-Accordion will open the door. The V-Accordion incorporates the benefit of the bellows that I mentioned. The expressive capability of the bellows can be applied to many kinds of instrument sounds, new sounds. By using bellows, you can blow your passion into the sound. V-Accordion realizes this with many kinds of instrument sounds. The V-Accordion has huge potential to make something happen.
“The V-Accordion gives me a new voice,” coba concludes. “With the debut of this innovative instrument, the accordion world steps forward to the next new historical era. I hope and believe that many people will begin to develop an interest in the accordion, and will join the accordion world via the V-Accordion.”
