- 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, audio playback, and more via convenient USB memory; USB COMPUTER port for integrating with MIDI music software
The Ultimate Fusion of Technology and Tradition
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 V-Accordion ushers in a new era of creative freedom for players everywhere.
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 Treble
On/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
Other
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 bag
Option (sold separately)
Wireless USB Adaptor (WNA1100-RL)
USB flash memory (M-UF2G)
Headphones: RH-200, RH-300
Rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack 24 V – 4500 mA
Footswitch
Size and Weight (weight: without straps)
Width 543 mm / 21-7/16 inches
Depth 280 mm / 11-1/16 inches
Height 415 mm / 16-6/16 inches
Weight 12.1 kg / 26 lbs. 11 oz.