USB midi for FR 3-X ?

[Squeezeplay]

Does anyone know if the WIDI USB midi works with the Roland FR 3-X ?

 

[oldbayan]

I think the USB port is only to access storage, such as settings and audio files, not to provide communications of any kind.

 

[Squeezeplay]

I receive midi via usb port on my arranger, so I was thinking it might be possible on my accordion. The midi socket is very fragile, so I am hoping not to use it…either that, or put a midi connection inside the grille, like I did on my Victoria.

 

[Ventura]

i have not heard a single report of fragility in any FR3 Roland
MIDI port

if you are concerned, there are several right angle midi cables
on Amazon including a 4 pack from CME

 

[mbaggio65]

The WIDI Bud https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7I2TUS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 works on the USB port of my Roland FR-8x. I don't think it would work with the FR-3x, but the CME WIDI Master should: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Z76FG9F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Give it a shot.
Markus

 

[Squeezeplay]

I have the widi master…..it has been flawless. I bought from the first batch offered.

 

[Pipemajor]

I have the Widimaster and it works perfectly on my FR3xb

 

[JerryPH]

The CME WIDI would work, BUT you have to take the right model. V-Accordions with only one MIDI connector can only be set to be send or receive on their singular MIDI connector. This presents an issue/challenge that can be by-passed if your V-accordion supports MIDI communication via USB.

 

[Squeezeplay]

Exactly, does it the FR3X support usb midi. ?? I am currently using. WIDI. ….. I have since I built my first MIDI system for my Hohner Atlantic. I just am trying to avoid purchasing something I can not use.

 

[Ventura]

no, it does not

it is a data port only, not a full USB protocol implementation

in the MIDI scheme of things, an accordion type device is
obviously a controller, and that would be the massive
amount of it's potential usefulness.. what possible functions
do you require a MIDI in to the device to access ? an FR3
or 3x has little programmability, switching sounds during a song
is easy enough with ones fingers, you cannot even access a GM
soundset as there are no "hooks" through the software

what could your Hohner Atlantic MIDI possibly do that an FR3 midi out
port cannot ?

 

[Squeezeplay]

It’s not that the midi out port can’t do something, it is simply about not having to remove the widi unit every time I go to a gig, then install it again when I get there. If I can’t get the usb midi working, transmit only, then I will make an adapter inside the accordion to take the widi dongle and permanently install it inside the grille. I did that on my Victoria in which I installed magnetic midi. Once I got the midi working properly, I wanted the widi installed permanently. Works great, no parts to forget at home. It is all battery powered. The battery is permanently installed, and charges from an I pad cord. Plays for roughly twelve hours on a charge.

 

[Airy]

Once I got the midi working properly, I wanted the widi installed permanently. Works great, no parts to forget at home. It is all battery powered. The battery is permanently installed, and charges from an I pad cord. Plays for roughly twelve hours on a charge.

I think installing the MIDI adapter permanently inside the grille is a good idea. At least as long you don’t need to press any reconnect or reset buttons on the adapter.

Some Rolands do even provide enough power on the MIDI out connector to drive the adapter. Even the single MIDI connector equipped FR1x does so. This means in that case no extra batteries or extra wire to power the MIDI adapter is needed.

I don‘t know if the FR3x is one of them. Try to find the discussion we already had about the topic which adaptors will be sufficiently powered by which accordion model.

 

[Squeezeplay]

The 3x powers the standard Widi ….. no problem. It was a simple question I posted “ will the USB widi dongle work on a Roland FR3-X “
We seem to have covered every imaginable perceived issue, problem, and or scenario ….. but not one definitive answer.
Yes or no by someone who has actually tried it.

 

[Ventura]

• Yesterday at 9:53 PM

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• #10

no, it does not

it is a data port only, not a full USB protocol implementation

ok, what part of that was not definitive ?

 

[Ventura]

it is simply about not having to remove the widi unit every time I go to a gig

yeah that would never have occurred to me, because the
first thing i did to my first fr3 was velcro the cigarette pack type
WiDi to the front of it with a right angle midi plug and
it lived there till i gave it back to them

did the same thing to the next one

did the same thing to the fr4

never have had to remove it

 

[Squeezeplay]

thanks. Now THAT was a help.

 

[Squeezeplay]

Thanks again Ventura, I tried it, and it works perfectly . out of the way. I also removes a power issue on the other end. I use the widi jack on the accordion, and the widi master on the arranger. so no need for a usb power source, as the midi out on my Ketron SD40 supplies power.

 

[pentaprism]

You can put the WIDI unit inside the accordion.

I did that for my FR-7b and FR-1xb.

 

[Squeezeplay]

Cool way to do it…that’s what I was looking to do, when this all started. I did it on my Victoria, but was somewhat hesitant to pull things apart on the FR3-X.

 

[KeysFla]

Does anyone know if the WIDI USB midi works with the Roland FR 3-X ?

Another option…
I think the same as the FR1x. You can use a Widi uhost on the square usb port B on the bottom. But you need to power it, which I use the front usb port.