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FR-3s/FR-3/FR-3sb/FR-3b V-Accordion
used. There are actually two kinds of master keyboards:
those that only transmit MIDI data and contain no tone
generator, and those that can also be used for playing
back music (synthesizers, digital pianos, organs, etc.).
Sequencers do not record the audio of the notes you
play. They only register “events” whose position and
distance specify when the notes are to be played. The
sequencer as such usually cannot sound what you
record – you need an instrument with a tone generator
for that. A sequencer must therefore be connected to
an electronic sound source, like your FR-3, for example.
The FR-3 can be used for two things: to “input” new
parts (i.e. MIDI events) and to play them back.
When you play on the FR-3’s keyboards, it sends MIDI
data to the MIDI OUT/IN socket (if the “MId” parameter
is set to “Out”). That socket must be connected to the
sequencer’s MIDI IN port. MIDI data always go from
OUT to IN:
If the FR-3 is used as tone generator for an external
sequencer, you must connect the sequencer’s MIDI OUT
socket to the FR-3’s MIDI OUT/IN port and set the “MId”
parameter to “In” (because MIDI data always go from
OUT to IN).
Though you can also play the FR-3 from another MIDI
instrument, we do not really recommend doing so,
because your V-Accordion has far more versatile per-
formance functions than any other MIDI controller
available today: the FR-3 translates all known accor-
dion techniques and physical effects into MIDI mes-
sages to precisely reproduce the natural behavior of an
acoustic accordion. Conversely, it might be interesting
to try out the FR-3 with a Roland Fantom-XR module,
because the FR-3’s countless expressive “gizmos” are
bound to further enhance the stunning realism of the
module’s sounds.
If you use the FR-3 as a MIDI controller while recording
a sequence, all actions you perform on the FR-3
(including the bellows pressure strength) are included
in the recorded part. They can therefore be sent back to
the FR-3 (by the sequencer) – and then, all expression
details are preserved. Be aware, however, that you also
need a versatile sound source (like the FR-3’s) to use
the recorded MIDI events to their full potential.
A “sequencer” can also be a software program running
on a computer. Most computers do not have MIDI sock-
ets to which you can connect the FR-3’s MIDI socket.
You therefore also need one of the following:
• A sound card with a joystick port to which you can
connect MIDI cables;
• A card called a “MIDI interface” that is installed in
your computer;
• An external device to which you connect the MIDI
cable coming from the FR-3 at one end and whose
other end is connected to the computer’s USB port
(companies like Edirol, www.edirol.com, offer several
models with a varying number of inputs and out-
puts).
You also need a software program that allows you to
record and play back your music. Such programs are
available from companies like Cakewalk. Please ask your
Roland dealer for details. And finally, you may need to
install applications called “drivers” on your computer to
ensure that it can talk and listen to the MIDI interface.
MIDI
MIDI IN MIDI OUT
External sequencer
FR-3s/FR-3’s tone
generator
(FR-3s/FR-3)
MIDI
MIDI IN MIDI OUT
External sequencer
FR-3sb/FR-3b’s tone
generator
(FR-3sb/FR-3b)