Just tried a FR-3X - not super-impressed

[blisterpeanuts]

Yes the cube can take both inputs. TRS means tip ring sleave witch is a ballanced line input like from a board.

I just got a Roland Cube Street EX and its excellent, probably weighs half what my old Roland keyboard amp does. Thanks for the suggestion!

Its also mountable on a speaker stand. In fact Im thinking about getting a second one, and then in conjunction with my new Mackie Mix12FX mixer, Ill have a lightweight but decent sounding system for smaller events.

It is also great for 2-person events -- the fiddler plugs in to the mixer (she needs the phantom power which unfortunately the Cube doesnt supply), and my Roland plugs in directly to the Cube. Simple and effective.

 

[JerryPH]

With the 12 port Mackie, you can easily accommodate more than just the 2 of you... likely at least 2-3 more if you wanted, and still have a really nice small/compact setup that is easy to set up and break down. You have a nice versatile collection of equipment that serves your needs now and for the future if you wanted to grow things.

My issue has always been that I have a much too complex collection of pieces, because I am a technogeek (lol). It's long to set up and break down, but it so far always had met my needs in the past perfectly In terms of good volume for anything except stadium sized locations and a quality sound. Maybe I just molded my style to it and now when changing anything, I look for that one missing piece. In a way I am happy that my live performance days are over, in that aspect alone.

Now I set things up in the basement, in an even more complex array and it doesn't have to ever change and I am happy. Even when I change things (like my own recent purchase of a Mackie FireWire mixer and a digital audio workstation), there are no time constraints to set it up and play with it, so it is always a pleasure.

 

[blisterpeanuts]

With the 12 port Mackie, you can easily accommodate more than just the 2 of you... likely at least 2-3 more if you wanted, and still have a really nice small/compact setup that is easy to set up and break down. You have a nice versatile collection of equipment that serves your needs now and for the future if you wanted to grow things.

My issue has always been that I have a much too complex collection of pieces, because I am a technogeek (lol). Its long to set up and break down, but it so far always had met my needs in the past perfectly In terms of good volume for anything except stadium sized locations and a quality sound. Maybe I just molded my style to it and now when changing anything, I look for that one missing piece. In a way I am happy that my live performance days are over, in that aspect alone.

Now I set things up in the basement, in an even more complex array and it doesnt have to ever change and I am happy. Even when I change things (like my own recent purchase of a Mackie FireWire mixer and a digital audio workstation), there are no time constraints to set it up and play with it, so it is always a pleasure.

Toys are fun. My next toy on my list is a used minivan. I want more room. Dont ask.

Truthfully, its possible to spend too much money on a home studio; I know people whove done that. I do hope to get the Apple Studio X app which is $200, and that should do it. Plus a $500 condenser mike for the fiddle... But then thats all!

 

[JerryPH]

... But then thats all!

I said the exact same thing... about $3000 dollars ago... lol

 

[acordiansam]

BP, sounds like you got the makings of a very versatile rig.

Jerry
Recording can be humbleing not only playing it. But, catching that sound,vibration wave so you can play it back and get that same affect over.

I hope none of you are caught up in the same vicious circle I am. It may lie dormant for a while but sooner or later, up pops its ugly head again wanting more green to get my fix again. I've even done the unspeakable trade or sale gear just for it. I am so ashamed. Yes, I am a gear junkie. Whoever dies with the most toys wins!

 

[JerryPH]

Sad to say that if I had a greater disposible income, I would have a great many more musical toys in my basement, but since I am not independently wealthy, and I am basically starting over from near scratch with my love affair with music and accordions, I don't foresee any more new equipment in my future for a long time... but I don't mind, I have more than enough to occupy and entertain me me for the rest of my life already.

Many years ago I lived in Texas and I saw the huge pink Cadillac El Dorado convertible with the big bumper sticker that said it all... "he who dies with the most toys, wins!" :lol:

 

[acordiansam]

J-PH, my wife put the breaks on my allowance a long time ago. Nice thing about gig money it's usually cash. Oh, best of all, it's mine! Never much but mine all the same. In fact it's the only hobby I have that can actually make money!

 

[JerryPH]

There is only one hobby that for me that not only paid for itself but made me a decent amount of cash, it was not the accordion, unfortunately.

For the style of music that I play, I am totally in the wrong part of the world, for that to make me money, I think that I would have to be in the Germany/Czech Republic region. Definitely in Europe somewhere at the very least.

Being married does change things. Currently I am not, but that is potentially looking to change in the future for me. :b

 

[siiva108]

I also have an FR-3X. My reason for getting it was to have a chromatic button midi interface, to do looping and electronic music. I was terribly disappointed to discover that I don't get any midi messages from the bellows. I was hoping that would act as an expression pedal of sorts. Please tell me there's a setting to turn on this killer feature and my dreams will come true.

p.s. I agree, the built-in speakers aren't great and most of the default sounds don't do it for me. But that's not why I got it.

p.s.s. sorry for resurrecting an old thread.

 

[blisterpeanuts]

I also have an FR-3X. My reason for getting it was to have a chromatic button midi interface, to do looping and electronic music. I was terribly disappointed to discover that I dont get any midi messages from the bellows. I was hoping that would act as an expression pedal of sorts. Please tell me theres a setting to turn on this killer feature and my dreams will come true.

p.s. I agree, the built-in speakers arent great and most of the default sounds dont do it for me. But thats not why I got it.

p.s.s. sorry for resurrecting an old thread.

The MIDI chart (p. 83 in the doc) does not mention the bellows sensor, unfortunately. Maybe you do have to get a pedal of some sort?

For playing in a living room or similar acoustic situation, a trad accordion is superior. The Roland needs a portable speaker; I finally got a Roland Cube and its outstanding.

My FR-3X is a great instrument and Im glad I got it. Its not the perfect accordion for every scenario but for amplified situations its excellent.

 

[torch]

FR3x does send and receive the midi expression message CC#11 through its bellow dynamics. Actually, a number of different settings for it. In the MIDI Implementation chart is Control Change 11 Expression. Also, you can refer to pages 11, 48, 61 of the PDF manual.