Roland Virtual Accordion
The Roland Virtual Accordion is the world's first electronic instrument to use Physical Behaviour Modelling (PBM) to simulate a wide range of acoustic instruments, including many musettes, bandoneon, concertina, and other ethnic accordions and melodeons. It also features a range of Orchestral instruments, all of which respond to the bellows movements, etc.
Manufactured by the Roland Corporation, the V-Accordion, which was released in 2004, comes in two models- The FR-5 and the FR-7. The FR-7 features built-in battery-powered amplifiers and speakers, making it independent of mains power. The FR-5 is identical, except it lacks the internal speakers. The operating system within the instruments is upgradeable through the extensive MIDI features.
The V-Accordion is the result of some 7 years development by a Roland Europe team based in Italy.
Since the introduction of the first models - the FR-5 and FR-7 - there have been several additions to the range:
FR-5b and FR-7b are 5 Row Chromatic Button versions of the originals, with several additions.
Due to the success of these four models, a further four "cut-down" models have been introduced as follows:
The FR-3 and FR-3s models are simplified V-Accordions with very few programming facilities, but still with extensive MIDI features and a number of converter bass systems. These feature a 37 note piano keyboard (G - G) plus 120 bass.
There are also 5 Row Chromatic Button versions: the FR-3b and FR-3sb. In all cases with the FR-3 models the "s" denotes built-in speakers. All the FR-3 family run from ordinary AA NiMh cells.
Continuing the development of the V-Accordion range, Roland have recently added the FR-2 Model. Available in both piano and button versions, the FR-2 has some innovations compared with the previous models, notably the addition of Drum Pads to the left-hand controls. There are no internal speakers in the FR-2 which has 34 right-hand keys (or 82 buttons) and 96 bass buttons.
The latest addition to the range is the tiny FR-1. Aimed at children the FR-1 comes in two versions - a piano treble keyboard of 26 keys and a 5 row button treble with 37 notes. Both versions have 72 bass buttons. The FR-1 has a limited range of Drum Pads. This model is featured in a new educational programme planned by Roland Europe, with instructional material in printed form, backed by DVD demonstrations, all by Sergio Scappini.
Roland has recently put together a team of demonstrators in an attempt to bring the accordion to renewed popularity. The team includes players such as Ludvic Beier, Eddie Monteiro, Cory Pesaturo, Paul Stanga, and Don McMahon.
Manufactured by the Roland Corporation, the V-Accordion, which was released in 2004, comes in two models- The FR-5 and the FR-7. The FR-7 features built-in battery-powered amplifiers and speakers, making it independent of mains power. The FR-5 is identical, except it lacks the internal speakers. The operating system within the instruments is upgradeable through the extensive MIDI features.
The V-Accordion is the result of some 7 years development by a Roland Europe team based in Italy.
Since the introduction of the first models - the FR-5 and FR-7 - there have been several additions to the range:
FR-5b and FR-7b are 5 Row Chromatic Button versions of the originals, with several additions.
Due to the success of these four models, a further four "cut-down" models have been introduced as follows:
The FR-3 and FR-3s models are simplified V-Accordions with very few programming facilities, but still with extensive MIDI features and a number of converter bass systems. These feature a 37 note piano keyboard (G - G) plus 120 bass.
There are also 5 Row Chromatic Button versions: the FR-3b and FR-3sb. In all cases with the FR-3 models the "s" denotes built-in speakers. All the FR-3 family run from ordinary AA NiMh cells.
Continuing the development of the V-Accordion range, Roland have recently added the FR-2 Model. Available in both piano and button versions, the FR-2 has some innovations compared with the previous models, notably the addition of Drum Pads to the left-hand controls. There are no internal speakers in the FR-2 which has 34 right-hand keys (or 82 buttons) and 96 bass buttons.
The latest addition to the range is the tiny FR-1. Aimed at children the FR-1 comes in two versions - a piano treble keyboard of 26 keys and a 5 row button treble with 37 notes. Both versions have 72 bass buttons. The FR-1 has a limited range of Drum Pads. This model is featured in a new educational programme planned by Roland Europe, with instructional material in printed form, backed by DVD demonstrations, all by Sergio Scappini.
Roland has recently put together a team of demonstrators in an attempt to bring the accordion to renewed popularity. The team includes players such as Ludvic Beier, Eddie Monteiro, Cory Pesaturo, Paul Stanga, and Don McMahon.
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