Roland digital accordions FR-5 and FR-7 at winter NAMM 2005

Introduced at Musikmesse Frankfurt 2004, the Roland FR-5 and FR-7 V-Accordions will hit the US-market during winter Namm show 2005 in Anaheim. These lightweight, professionally-modeled instruments incorporate Physical Behavior Modeling (PBM) technology in a traditional accordion design that delivers powerful performance features and superior sound quality. Newly developed Physical Behavior Modeling algorithms reproduce the characteristics and nuances of an authentic accordion, creating the ability to customize tone, pitch, resonance and tuning characteristics. 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, with 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 interface enables switching instantly from an Italian Jazz sound to a German Folk, French Musette, or historic Bandoneon sound. In addition to the onboard accordion sounds, the FR-5/7 incorporate 22 orchestral sounds. Onboard orchestral sounds include trumpet, trombone, sax, clarinet, oboe, harmonica, violin, flute, highland, zampogna, jazz organ, perc organ, scat voice, mandolin, acoustic Guitar and acoustic piano. Seven bass orchestral sounds can be played separately by the left hand. 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).