Sound
The FR-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 Behaviour Modelling")
At the heart of the FR-5b, is Roland’s proprietary PBM technology for breathtaking sounds and amazing modelling possibilities. Physical Behaviour Modelling 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-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-5b incorporates Roland’s acclaimed orchestral sounds. 22 orchestral sounds are provided, 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. Furhermore, both keyboards can be transposed to play within a wide range of keys and octaves.
Expand your performance capability
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 realtime.
Also the FR-5b‘s bass section has been expanded to include control of additional orchestral sounds via the orchestral chord and orchestral free bass sections.
Moreover, the FR-5b is MIDI-compatible and can be used to control external modules
Keyboard & Bellows
Right Hand : 92 buttons with velocity sensitivity. Master Bar with Aftertouch
Left Hand : 120 Bass buttons with velocity
Keyboard Mode : Right Hand: Solo, Dual, High/Low (for Orchestral Sounds), Left Hand: Standard, Free Bass, Orchestral Bass, Orchestral Chord, Orchestral Free Bass
Bellows : Real pneumatic detection by a high resolution pressure sensor
Sound
Tones: Accordion Set : 40 User Programmable Accordion sets. Each Accordion Sets including: 14 Treble registers, 7 Bass registers, 7 Free Bass registers, 7 Orchestral Bass registers, 7 Orchestral Chord registers, 7 Orchestral Free Bass registers, 22 Orchestral Sounds
Treble Reed Footages : 7
Bass Reed Footages : 5
Chord Reed Footages : 3
Free Bass Footages : 2
Orchestral Sounds : 22 sounds: Trumpet, Trombone, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Oboe, Harmonica, Muted Harmonica, Violin, Pizzicato, Flute, Pan Flute, Highland, Zampogna, Jazz organ, Perc. Organ, Rotary Organ, Term. Organ, Scat Voice, Mandolin, Acoustic Guitar, Acoustic Piano
Orchestral Bass Sounds : 7: Acoustic Bass, Bowed Bass, Fingered Bass, Picked Bass, Fretless Bass, Tuba, Tuba Mix
Orchestral Free Bass Sounds : Trombone, Clarinet, Oboe, Flute, Perc Organ, Ac Guitar, Ac Piano
Orchestral Chord : Trombone, Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Trem Organ, Voice, Ac Guitar, Ac Piano
PBM (Physical Behaviour Modelling)
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
Musette Tuning
Musette-Micro-Tuning Presets : 16: Off (Standard), Dry, Classic, F-Folk, American L/H, North Europe, German L/H, D-Folk L/H, Alpine, Italian L/H, French, Scottish
Effects
Reverb : 8 Types
Chorus : 8 Types
Delay : 8 Types
Rotary for Orchestral Organ Sound : Slow/Fast
"Cassotto" and "Sordina" Simulations : Yes
Panel Controls
Knob Controls : Volume, Treble/Bass balance, Reverb, Chorus, Delay , Encoder Data Entry with selection/confirmation switch
Panel Switches
Treble Registers : 14 + Master + Orchestra
Bass Registers : 7
Navigation Switches : Up, Down, Menu/Write, Exit/Jump
Other Switches : Set Up/Down, Sordina On/Off, Power
Others
Display : 48 x 84 dots graphic backlit LCD
Onboard Connectors : Headphone jack (Stereo), Output jack (L/Mono (Treble), R/Mono (Bass)), Multi Connector (to FBC-7)
Color Variation : Dark, Grey, Red
Supplied Accessories : FBC-7 (Power supply/Battery Charger), 5 programmable foot switches: Set Up/Down ,Register Up/Down, Sustain ; Multi connector(towards Accordion), Expression Pedal Jack, MIDI In/Out/Thru connectors, Output Jacks (L/Mono,R), AC Inlet
Owner's Manual, Straps, Accordion cloth, Treble reference caps, Bass reference caps, Power cable, 19 Pin multicore cable
Options : Rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack 24V-4500mAh, V-Accordion Gigbag, FBC-7 Gigbag
Size and Weight
Width : 506 mm 19-15/16 inches
Depth : 270 mm 10-11/16 inches
Height : 405 mm 16 inches
Weight : 9.5 kg 21 lbs.
the weight without the straps and the optional battery
*The specifications are subject to change without notice
