Roland FR-8X BK

Digital Accordion Roland FR-8X BK

The Roland FR-8x BK V-Accordion represents the Ultimate Fusion of Technology and Tradition. With the incredible new FR-8x Piano Type, Roland has perfected the synergy between traditional accordion playability and modern digital power. The latest flagship piano-type V-Accordion is jam- packed with features and enhancements developed with input from the world´s top players, bringing a previously unattained level of expression and versatility to every accordionist. Innovative Dynamic Bellows Behavior technology delivers the true bellows response of an acoustic accordion, while the expanded sound set, four powerful multi-effects, an onboard looper, and much more offer a treasure chest of tools for dynamic musical exploration. Seamlessly fusing top-level technology with familiar acoustic tradition, the FR-8x Piano Type V-Accordion ushers in a new era of creative freedom for players everywhere.

The main features of the Roland FR-8x BK V-Accordion include:

• Flagship piano-type V-Accordion, filled with many enhancements requested by pro accordionists
• Newly developed Dynamic Bellows Behavior technology emulates the true bellows response of an acoustic accordion in every register
• Simple and convenient onboard battery charging with an AC adapter
• A large selection of accordion sounds from around the world, plus 180 orchestra and percussion sounds and world-class Virtual Tone Wheel organs
• Four powerful multi-effects engines (MFX), with dedicated MFX for Accordion, Orchestra 1, Orchestra 2, and Orchestra Chord sections
• All-new user interface, featuring a large, easy-to-read color display, intuitive panel layout, and three programmable chin switches for hands-free control of a variety of functions
• 1,400 user program memories allow players to save custom setups for every performing situation
• Onboard looper for creating instant backing accompaniment
• Recording and audio playback via convenient USB memory; USB host port for connecting to computers
• Black finish
• True Acoustic Response with Dynamic Bellows Behavior

  Newly developed for the FR-8x, Dynamics Bellows Behavior technology represents a real breakthrough for digital accordionists. In an acoustic accordion, sounds are produced by reeds that vibrate with airflow generated by the movement of the bellows; the resistance of the bellows constantly varies, depending on how many reeds are selected and how many notes are played at once. In the FR-8x, Dynamic Bellows Behavior automatically adjusts the air transfer in the bellows in real time based on the selected register and the number of notes played, accurately replicating the familiar and comfortable bellows feel of an acoustic accordion. Dynamic Bellows Behavior can be easily disabled for players that prefer the bellows feel of previous V-Accordions.

• Redesigned Interface with Color Display and Intuitive Panel Layout

  The FR-8x features a completely redesigned user interface that’s more powerful and easier to use than ever before. A large, recessed color display makes it simple to see and edit various parameters, while the revamped panel layout provides fast, intuitive operation via many dedicated buttons and knobs. Three all-new programmable chin switches let you control a variety of functions such as changing registers, selecting user programs, and more, all without lifting your hands off the keyboards. Additionally, 1400 user program memories provide ample storage for custom settings, with quick fingertip recall in every performing situation
• All-in-One Operation and Onboard Battery Charging

  The FR-8x is a totally self-contained instrument, complete with a rechargeable onboard battery and built-in stereo amplification system. Battery charging is accomplished simply by connecting the included AC adapter directly to the FR-8x, and you can play without interruption during the charging process. In addition, all device connections are now located right on the instrument, including MIDI, USB, and audio jacks for connecting to an external amplification or recording system.

• Expanded Collection of World-Class Sounds

  In addition to a full selection of authentic accordion sounds from around the world, the FR-8x is equipped with over 180 orchestra and percussion sounds, giving you the power to expand your music into unexplored territory. Included are traditional instruments such as strings and brass, plus electric and acoustic guitars, choir, church organ, harp, ethnic sounds, synthesizers, and a wide range of drum kits. With the Virtual Tone Wheel sound engine, you can play amazing organ sounds using Treble (upper), Chord (lower) and Bass (pedal) sections, with harmonic bar controls to personalize your organ sounds for any musical style. Four internal memory areas (8 MB each) are provided for loading new sounds from the Roland sound library.

• Zones, Layers, and Drums

  With the FR-8x, more layering and zone setup options are possible in the right-hand keyboard modes than ever before. Whole, Zone, High, and Low modes are provided, giving you the ability to play up to four different tones at once. Left-hand keyboard modes now include layering options as well. The programmable Drum function takes accordion performance to a fun new dimension, letting you play percussion sounds manually with the Bass & Chord buttons.

• Powerful Multi-Effects and Onboard Looper

  Explore all-new sonic textures with the FR-8x’s four independent multi-effects engines (MFX), which provide dedicated processing for the Accordion, Orchestra 1, Orchestra 2, and Orchestra Chord sections. Each engine has 84 different effects types, offering a wide range of enhancement from subtle to dramatic. With the onboard looper, you can instantly record and overdub accordion performances using the FR-8x’s enormous selection of sounds, creating impressive, on-the-spot backing accompaniment for improvisation.

• USB Song Playback, Recording, and More

  The handy MP3/WAV song player lets you play along with pre-recorded musical tracks for practice and live backing via optional USB memory. Just plug your USB stick into the convenient front-panel USB MEMORY port, then select and play songs with dedicated, easy-to-reach controls. With the touch of a button, your accordion performances can be recorded directly to USB memory as well, perfect for archiving, evaluation, and education. USB memory also offers a convenient way to save/load customized accordion sets and install new sounds and software updates. The USB COMPUTER port on the side panel opens up the world of modern music production to accordionists, providing the ability to easily connect the FR-8x to a computer and use it with popular MIDI software as a unique, expressive controller and a powerful sound engine.

• Keyboard, Bass & Bellows
• Right hand - 41 keys: piano type with velocity sensitive and aftertouch
• Left hand -Piano type/Button type 120 bass buttons velocity sensitive. Standard, Free Bass mode, Orch. Bass, Orch. Chord, Orch. Free Bass
• Bass & Chord Mode -2 Bs Rows, 3 Bs Rows A-7th, 3 Bs Rows A-5dim, 3 Bs Rows B-7th, 3 Bs Rows B-5dim, 3 Bs Rows Bx-7th , 3 Bs Rows Belgium
• Free Bass Mode - Minor 3rd, Bajan, Fifth, North Europe, Finnish
• Bellows - Advanced “Dynamic Bellows Behavior” technology to manage the behavior of bellows
• Bellows Resistance - On, Off, -63 to 0 to +64
• Bellows curve - Fixed Low, Fixed Med, Fixed High, X-Light, Light, Standard, Heavy, X-Heavy
• Sound source - Max polyphony 128 voices
• Tones (Accordion Set) - 100 Accordion Sets, each one including: 14 Treble Registers, 7 Bass/Chord registers, 7 Free Bass registers, 7 Orchestra Free Bass registers, 7 Orchestra Bass registers, 7 Orchestra Chord registers, 180 Orchestral sounds (28 real time + others selectable by MENU), 18 Drum Sets
• Reed Footages - 7 Treble, 5 Bass, 3 Chord, 2 Free Bass
• Additional sounds - Upload from USB memory and saved on internal memory
• Orchestral sounds- 180: 28 real time (14x2) the others selectable by MENU
• Organ sounds (Virtual Tone Wheel) - 32 presets for Treble, Chord and Free Bass sections, 16 presets x Bass section Up to 28 Harmonic Bar combinations customizable, can be controlled and shaped by bellows.
• Orchestral Bass sounds - 180: 7 real time, the others selectable by MENU
• Orchestral Chord sounds - 180: 7 real time, the others selectable by MENU
• Orchestral Free Bass sounds - 180: 7 real time, the others selectable by MENU
• Drum Sets - 18
• User Programs - 1,400: 100 User Program Bank x 14 registers
• APBM (Advanced Physical Behavior Modeling)
• Noises - Stopping-reed growl, Closing valve noise, Left button noise
• Individual Reed Simulation - Hysteresis threshold, Expression curve, Pressure variant filter, Pressure variant pitch deviation
• Switching Reed Sound Wave - By bellows acceleration, by note repetition speed
• Bellows opening/closing sound change - By bellows opening/closing detection
• Bellows Behavior - Dynamic Bellows Behavior technology for a perfect simulation of the bellows behavior in an acoustic accordion
• Musette Tuning
• Micro-Tuning Presets - 16 Types: Off, Dry, Classic, F-Folk, American L/H, North Europe, German L/H, D-Folk L/H, Alpine, Italian L/H, French, Scottish
• Fine Tuning reed footages 8- / 8+ / -100 to 0 to +100
• Effects
• Reverb/Chorus/Delay - 8 types, 8 types, 10 types
• MFX multi effects - MFX x 4 (84 types) for: Accordion, Orchestra 1, Orchestra 2, Orch Chord/Orch Free Bass
• Rotary for Organ sound - Slow/Fast with Vibrato, Chorus, Overdrive and VK-Rotary
• “Cassotto” simulation - Yes
• Panel Controls - Knob controls & Registers - Volume, Balance, Reverb Chorus, Delay, Effect (assignable knob), 14 x Accordion/Orchestra1/Orchestra2/Organ
• Encoder - Data Edit with Enter
• Navigation switches - Up, Down, Menu/Write, Exit/Jump
• Other switches - Set Up, Set Down, Orch 1 On/Off, Orch 2 On/Off, Organ On/Off, Accordion On/Off, Orch Bass On/Off, Orch Chord/Free Bass On/Off, Free Bass On/Off, Bass&Chord On/Off, Drums On/Off, Bass to Treble On/Off, User Program On/Off, Song List On/Off, Power On/Off, Charge On/Off, Loop/Wave/MP3 player: Loop, Reset/Stop, Play/Pause, Audio Rec
• Chin switches - 3 programmable chin switches
• Additional switches - 6 user assignable function switches on last row of bass buttons
• Operation mode - Accordion, Orchest1/Organ, Orchest2, Drum - Zone, High, Low
• Octave -1, 0, +1 for Treble, -3, 0, +3 for Orchest1, Orchest2
• Drum Shift -36 to 0 to +36
• Orchestra Chord Guitar Mode Gtr Table1, Gtr Table2, Gtr Table3
• Sound Edit Orchest1, Orchest2, Orch Bass, Orch Chord, Orch Free Bass
• Bass to TrebleOn/Off
• Part Mute Accordion, Orchest 1, Orchest 2, Organ, Bass&Chord, Free Bass, Orch Bass, Orch Chord, Orch Free Bass
• Bass & Chord with drum/percussion sounds Programmable drum/percussion sounds for Bass/Orch Bass 2 rows, Chord/Orchestra Chord 4 rows.
• Audio Player and Audio REC MP3/Wave player from USB memory and REC on USB
• Audio Loop REC (with Overdub function) and Play
• Speakers Off On/Off adjustable via Menu parameter
• Editing and Write Full parameters for each section – New Graphic User Interface
• MIDI functions Ext. Seq. Playback (MIDI IN) or USB Computer - Accordion, Bass&Chord, Orchest1, Orchest2, Organ, Orch Bass, Orch Chord, Orch Free Bass, ALL (Local Off function)
• Start/Stop MIDI TX - Send Start/Stop by pushing Alpha dial
• Display Color LCD 2.4”, 320 x 240 dots
• Rated Power Output 2 x 25 W
• Speakers 2 x 9 cm neodymium speakers / 2 x Tweeters
• Wave Expansion 4 internal areas (8 MB each) to load new sounds
• Power supply AC adaptor / Rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack 24 V – 4500 mA
• * Expected battery life under continuous use: 8 hours speaker ON mode, 11 hours speaker OFF mode
• Onboard Connectors
• OUTPUT jacks L/Mono (Treble), R/Mono (Bass): 1/4” phone type
  PHONES jack: 1/4” phone type
  MIDI (IN, OUT) connectors
  USB MEMORY port: type A
  USB COMPUTER port: type B
  DC IN connector
• Accessories
• AC Adaptor
  Power cord (for connecting the AC adaptor)
  Rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack 24 V – 4500 mA
  Owner’s Manual
  Reference caps for the bass buttons
  Straps
  Accordion cloth
  Accordion soft ba
• Size and Weight (weight: without straps)
• Width - 543 mm
• Depth - 280 mm
• Height - 415 mm
• Weight 12.1 kg