New Roland V accordion coming............

[JIM D.]

And --- https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups...udARzbGsDdmlld09uV2ViBHN0aW1lAzE0NzM0NTM1MzY-

 

[acordiansam]

They rebuilt the 3x this could be bad. Is there a spec or features list yet ? Maybe I missed sum where.

 

[JIM D.]

Its after 9:00 Pm in the US but if your up -- the live Roland broadcast is on all night here ---- http://tfr.roland.com/us/

 

[dunlustin]

Things beginning to appear on Youtube:

This shop:
http://www.gear4music.com/news/arti...Digital-Accordians-Coming-Soon/72H/2016-09-10
gives available in December 2016
Here is a price in Europe
https://www.woodbrass.com/en-pt/roland-fr-4x-bk-p229687.html
3,799.00€ = about £3200 tax paid.

 

[Thomas N]

Things beginning to appear on Youtube:

This shop:
http://www.gear4music.com/news/arti...Digital-Accordians-Coming-Soon/72H/2016-09-10
gives available in December 2016
Here is a price in Europe
https://www.woodbrass.com/en-pt/roland-fr-4x-bk-p229687.html
3,799.00€ = about £3200 tax paid.

$3500 US. Not certain I have any interest in this. I have an FR-8X and love it. I do not play standing up. Ever. I wont stroll either. After seeing every accordionist have hip replacement operations I know its not for me, and Im in my 40s. I think Frank Marocco died from complications of hip replacement surgery, and Dick Contino just had a complete replacement recently. Two conflicting views on the subject were from Charles Magnante, who was said that he wished he never would have played standing up as it ruined his health in later years, and Charles Nunzio, who said the only way he could connect with an audience was when he was standing and playing.

Its just not worth it to me. Plenty of opportunities to play (too many, actually) with the dearth of accordionists out there so I choose not to stand or stroll. I imagine if you do perform standing this instrument would be of great interest. Im also concerned about 37 keys on the right hand.

My FR-8X is my favorite accordion by far. I dont use any of the non-accordion sounds or fancy setups. I play the accordion sounds (mostly bassoon for jazz) and love the sound and very fast keyboard.

If a 4X is near me Ill definitely check one out, though!

 

[JIM D.]

So far the good news is the 4x will have a screen to read without learning the codes that appear on a 3x screen. It will have expansion sets like the 8x and over 100 orchestral sounds. The bad news is that here in the US you will have to order one in Nov. and expect delivery in Dec. If the inboard speakers have the same volume of the 7x, it will be my next digital "Main Squeeze".

 

[landro]

I`m thrilled to see the Roland accordions are still alive and an available option in this ever shrinking niche (US) . The under $4K price point for a 4X seems quite reasonable and encouraging knowing what a decent acoustic box would cost.
I really and truly appreciate the authentic reeded sound from a good acoustic accordion , but I can`t imagine ever being without my Roland either. It`s my go to box every time.(except when I want to bellows shake)

 

[torch]

$3500 US. Not certain I have any interest in this. I have an FR-8X and love it. I do not play standing up. Ever. I wont stroll either. After seeing every accordionist have hip replacement operations I know its not for me, and Im in my 40s. I think Frank Marocco died from complications of hip replacement surgery, and Dick Contino just had a complete replacement recently. Two conflicting views on the subject were from Charles Magnante, who was said that he wished he never would have played standing up as it ruined his health in later years, and Charles Nunzio, who said the only way he could connect with an audience was when he was standing and playing.

Its just not worth it to me. Plenty of opportunities to play (too many, actually) with the dearth of accordionists out there so I choose not to stand or stroll. I imagine if you do perform standing this instrument would be of great interest. Im also concerned about 37 keys on the right hand.

My FR-8X is my favorite accordion by far. I dont use any of the non-accordion sounds or fancy setups. I play the accordion sounds (mostly bassoon for jazz) and love the sound and very fast keyboard.

If a 4X is near me Ill definitely check one out, though!

I know a gentleman who hurt himself when he was picking up a full size accordion. Ever since then his health has gone really bad to the point where he cant hardly pick up his FR1x. Another gentleman was told by his doctor not to play the accordion. He sold his full size midi accordion and now he plays the FR3x. I may stroll around with my 7x but for a few songs. You are wise in learning from others, but many people would rather defend their musical instruments or rather their investments at the risk of injury saying, Oh, its fine. I can handle the weight.

 

[landro]

I`m 74 next month , and in my 4th week healing from a 3 level cervical disctectomy with fusion. I`m back to playing my FR3X comfortably ,(sitting for now).I`ve had 2 previous back surgeries already and I will need another on my lower back.(maybe in the spring)
I sold off the FRX7 last year and never looked back. It was a bit too heavy.
I do however wish I kept the FR2 I also had since that too was a powerhouse of good sounds when connected to a decent amp.
That all said , I`m wondering IF the LCD readout on the FRX4 is actually larger than on the 3X? Not to disparage the FRX4 as I`m sure it has some advanced features , but I never had an issue with the codes and reassigning them on the FRX3. Regardless, it`s a good thing to refresh these products from time to time as it generates a lot of interest and God knows the world of accordions needs all the help it can get ,at least here in the US.

 

[JerryPH]

I'm slightly disappointed that the FR-9x wasn't released. :|

 

[Thomas N]

Im slightly disappointed that the FR-9x wasnt released. :|

Me too, Jerry! Im not in the market for a small form-factor accordion but it would have been cool to see an FR-9X with advanced electronics, maybe some BK-9 arranger capabilities built-in, lighter weight, lower travel keyboard, etc.

Theres still time for that, however!

 

[acordiansam]

What I think could be cool in all sizes is to go the old cordavox way. Make the box just a controller. Have a wireless USB to brain. Computer editing. No speakers in box option. Yes more gear but less weight to hold up. A small battery would run the box for a long time. Maybe make sums sort of key block to cut the key travel in half. For those that want the accordion feel. Most likely would lose the velocity part of control but for pure accordion mode not needed as much. That would be one way to get the weight down and make one person happie if I could afford it!

 

[JerryPH]

Make the box just a controller. Have a wireless USB to brain. Computer editing. No speakers in box option. Yes more gear but less weight to hold up. A small battery would run the box for a long time.

Weight of the box would not be all that important. Stick a bigger and easily removed sealed lead acid battery in the external brain, be able to play for 24 hours straight on a single charge, recharge it in 3-4 hours and be ready to go again for another 24 hours or leave it plugged in to a power source. A single 9 volt battery in the accordion is all that is needed to power the transmitter for long periods of time. Leave the option of offering internal speakers for those that want the extra weight, but of course, thats too logical, so dont expect anything like that to ever appear... at least not from Roland.

Personally, I still prefer the acoustic/midi combination boxes and consider it as still being the best option. The only thing that would bring one of these over the top is having a superior sound engine to the Roland FR-8x with integrated arranger in the external box with full computer guided editing being possible.

Unfortunately, no one has gone the distance and done something like this... yet.

 

[acordiansam]

I know but it doesn't hurt to wish.

I use my 3x as an accordion just as much as a synth. But not as much at the same time like a one man band would. More as one of a band member playing my part. What ever sound it might require. My big prob is I can not sit and play. That's what I love about the accordion. Not locked behind a board or facing the wall because no other place to put it. The accordion is such a diverse instrument. That I doubt Roland or anyone else will ever make everyone happy.

 

[Thomas N]

Make the box just a controller. Have a wireless USB to brain. Computer editing. No speakers in box option. Yes more gear but less weight to hold up. A small battery would run the box for a long time.

Weight of the box would not be all that important. Stick a bigger and easily removed sealed lead acid battery in the external brain, be able to play for 24 hours straight on a single charge, recharge it in 3-4 hours and be ready to go again for another 24 hours or leave it plugged in to a power source. A single 9 volt battery in the accordion is all that is needed to power the transmitter for long periods of time. Leave the option of offering internal speakers for those that want the extra weight, but of course, thats too logical, so dont expect anything like that to ever appear... at least not from Roland.

Personally, I still prefer the acoustic/midi combination boxes and consider it as still being the best option. The only thing that would bring one of these over the top is having a superior sound engine to the Roland FR-8x with integrated arranger in the external box with full computer guided editing being possible.

Unfortunately, no one has gone the distance and done something like this... yet. [/quote]

I find the battery life excellent. I play a couple hours a night and charge maybe once a week, if that. I alter between using the internal speakers or an external amp, and never play with the internal speakers with the amp together.

Battery life on the FR-8X is one area where I have no complaints and wouldnt change anything. Ive never had longer than a four hour gig in my life, with most of them now hovering around two hours with maybe 90 minutes of playing total. The battery in the FR-8X is overkill for what I do.

 

[Glenn]

I agree wrt battery life.
I play with internal speakers most of the time hence using the battery to its maximum and I find it lasts me a week.
Even when it gives its little warning you have plenty of time left.
Of course a lighter battery pack with an equivalent performance would be ideal (you can dream can't you?)
Not that I'm hankering after an explosive Samsung like lithium battery but perhaps one which is smaller (more expensive no doubt) and thus lighter.

 

[JerryPH]

I agree wrt battery life.
I play with internal speakers most of the time hence using the battery to its maximum and I find it lasts me a week.
Even when it gives its little warning you have plenty of time left.
Of course a lighter battery pack with an equivalent performance would be ideal (you can dream cant you?)
Not that Im hankering after an explosive Samsung like lithium battery but perhaps one which is smaller (more expensive no doubt) and thus lighter.

I think I can make your dream come true, Glenn.

Most manufacturers that use rechargeable AA batteries use ones with low mAh ratings of something between 1300-1700mAh. The battery packs cases in the Roland V-accordions *I believe* give you access to replace these batteries, yes? If so, swap them out with PowerEx 2700mAh batteries and you have just increased playing time by at least an additional 50%.

If you are an EneLoop user persion, get the XXX versions, I believe they are around 2400-2500mAh variants. I prefer the EneLoop variants in situations where you dont play much and putit away for a few weeks. Get the PowerEx if you play often and almost everyday.

 

[acordiansam]

I have no prob. with battery life in my 3x. Once a week usually.

I stand up and play when out so box weight is huge in my back, oh book.

An all in one package is what most people want and I understand.

I still think the 3x is good and not ready to switch just yet.

All just food for thought.

 

[JerryPH]

One can be totally happy with the battery life, but this is one of those things that is at most $50 and adds an approximate 50% increase in playing time for a small investment and 15 minutes of time, so its easy to justify and easy to implement, also instead of replacing the entire pack for a new Roland part after the batteries die out, this is what should be done. Better results than factory for about 1/8th the cost.

Man, I wonder where you guys find the 2-4 hour gigs. Short of playing exhibitions, I was always around 8-12 hour per night and I did those a couple fimes a week when I was in my performing days. Even when playing with the band, they did the whole 45 minutes playing, 15 minutes break... and I volunteered to be the fill music during their breaks, playing my music all alone having only a couple breaks per night.

 

[acordiansam]

I love to play but not mor than 4 hours. Best is 2 to 3.

There just bar and city gigs. Occasionally a private party they're the best you usually get fed to!