Equipped with 92-button right-handed keyboards, these new V-Accordions offer all of the original V-Accordion’s benefits, with several important additions. The Roland FR-7b/5b are the first instruments of their kind to integrate powerful digital technology into a traditional chromatic accordion design, offering performance features and sounds that appeal to a wide range of musicians.

• The perfect combination of the familiar sounds and nuances of a traditional accordion, combined with the advantages of a versatile digital instrument
• Ultra-realistic accordion simulations, with 40 programmable set memories; the factory settings already cater to several popular accordion traditions
• PBM (“Physical Behavior Modeling”) sound-generation technology
• Orchestral sounds
• Expanded MIDI functionality for truly flexible performance options
• 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.