Roland FR-18 DIATONIC User manual

Take one, get more.
RAM 4677 RAMRES 807-15 605.00.0246
www.roland.com
Note: in the interest of product improvement, the specifications
and/or appearance of this unit are subject to change without
prior notice.
FR-18 diatonic SPECIFICATIONS
Keyboard, Bass & Bellows
Right hand 37 buttons, velocity sensitive.
Left hand 18 bass buttons velocity sensitive.
Tablature 12 types to congure treble button keyboard and Bass&Chord buttons.
Key 12 keys to play in all tonalities: C, C#, D, Eb, E, F, F#, G, Ab, A, Bb, B.
Bellows Real pneumatic detection of bellows pressure (high-resolution pressure sensor), Bellows Resistance regulator.
Sound source
Tones (Accordion Set) 12 accordion sets, each including: 8 Treble registers, 3 Bass & Chord registers, 3 Orchestra Bass registers, 3 Orchestra Chord registers,
8 Orchestra sounds, 4 Organ sounds.
Reed Footages 5 Treble, 3 Bass, 2 Chord.
Orchestral sounds
8 dierent for each Set.
Organ sounds
4: Blues, Distortion, Full Draw, 3rd Percussion (slow/fast Rotary settings for each).
Orchestral Bass sounds
3 dierent for each Set.
Orchestral Chord sounds
3 dierent for each Set.
PBM (Physical Behaviour Modelling)
Noises Stopping-reed growl, closing valve noise, left button noise.
Individual Reed Simulation Hysteresis threshold, expression curve, pressure-variant lter, pressure variant pitch deviation.
Reed sound wave switching By bellows acceleration, by note repetition speed.
Musette Tuning
Micro-Tuning Presets 15 (Dry, Classic, F-Folk, American L/H, North Europe, German L/H, D-Folk L/H, Alpine, Italian L/H, French, Scottish).
Eects
Reverb/Chorus 8 types, 8 types.
Rotary Slow/Fast (for organ sounds).
Panel Controls
Knob Controls Volume, Registers: 4 x Treble, Orchestra, Organ, Set; 3 x Bass, Orchestra Bass, Orchestra Chord.
Buttons Power On/O, Orchestra/Organ, Orch Bass, Orch Chord, Left Register/Battery, Drums/Default, Key/Demo, User Prog/Dec, Tablature/Inc.
Operation mode
User Programs 4
Octave Down(-), 0 Up (+) (for Treble, Orchestra and Organ).
Orchestra/Organ Modes Solo, Dual.
Chord mode: Full or without the 3rd chord degree.
Metronome On/O; Time Signature: 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 6/8, 7/8, 9/8; Tempo: 20-250.
Drums 4 drum/percussion sets.
Power supply
Supplied External AC adapter PSB-1U (100V~240V universal) or optional batteries.
Power consumption
500 mA (using external adaptor).
Battery
(optional) 8 x AA type Ni-MH 2000 mAh – batteries ±5.5 hours. This varies depending on the actual conditions of use.
Note: Carbon and alkaline batteries should not be used. Be sure to only use rechargeable Ni-MH AA-type batteries.
Others
Connectors MIDI connector OUT/IN (adjustable via Function parameter), USB MIDI (computer connection) DC IN socket.
Output Jack L/Mono (Treble), R/Mono (Bass); Headphones jack (Stereo).
Power Supply External AC adaptor PSB-1U (100 ~ 240V, universal).
USB Memory port storage devices.
Wave Expansion 2 internal areas (8Mb each) to load new sounds.
Size and Weight
Size (mm) 375 (H) x 365 (W) x 195 (D) mm; 14-13/16 (H) x 14-3/8 (W) x 7-11/16 (D) inches.
Weight 5.3 kg/11 lbs. 11 oz. (without straps and optional batteries).
Supplied Accessories
1/4” phone (guitar) cable, Earphones (with 1/8” 1/4” adaptor plug), External PSB-1U AC adaptor, Owner’s Manual, Strip for securing the adapter, MIDI and/or audio cables, Hexagonal
wrench, Straps, Replaceable “traforo” inlay sheets.
Optional Accessories
Colour variation Black, Red.
BAG FR-1 Accordion soft bag.
CM-30 Cube Monitor.
CUBE street Stereo Amplier.
SA-300 Stage Amplier.
Mobile Cube Stereo Amplier.
AMC-3 Audio/Midi cable.
AAP-1 Music Rest and Throne.
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USER PROGRAMS FOR INSTANT SAVING AND RECALLING
INSTRUMENT DATA
Four user programs to easily recall settings.
PERCUSSION CONTROLLED BY BASS AND CHORD
Percussion accompaniment controlled by Bass and Chord to simplify
your performance.
The FR-18 diatonic V-Accordion is a dream for
accordionists seeking a world-class diatonic instrument
that can do it all. With the same sound quality as Roland’s
acclaimed V-Accordion line-up and with dedicated new
samples, the FR-18 digital diatonic will satisfy traditional
folk-based musicians.
Available in black and red, the FR-18 fits into a variety
of playing environments, preserving elegance and
respecting tradition.
Traditional diatonic acoustic accordions have only one tonal
key, but the FR-18 has no limits because musicians can
create their own instrument in real time. The introduction of
orchestral and percussion sounds as well as virtual tone wheel
organs means that the FR-18 can adapt to any kind of musical
genre.
The FR-18 has no internal speakers so it’s extraordinarily light.
A pair of inner-earphones is also included so the musician can
play diatonic accordion immediately after opening the box.
As a silent diatonic accordion, the FR-18 is perfect for
practising in the evening and in small apartments. A long
battery life means the FR-18 can be used in all types of
situations, indoors and outdoors.
Red
Black
12 TABLATURES TO SELECT VARIOUS DIATONIC MODELS
The FR-18 diatonic comes with 12 typical tablatures to cover the most important Treble/Bass
and Chord layouts. These tablatures allow you to try new configurations and play different
kinds of tuning without changing instrument.
It’s now possible to immediately select different diatonic models, ranging from a two-row-
plus-eight-basses model to a three-row-plus-18-basses model. The diatonic musician can
create their own tablature by choosing the desired opening/closing notes for each button.
12 TONALITIES PLAY IN ANY KEY
With 12 tonalities in one instrument, playing in a band is no problem.
The Key function allows diatonic musicians to easily play tunes in any tonalities without
being forced to change their technical or layout configuration.
REPLACEABLE GRAPHIC INLAY SHEETS TO PERSONALISE THE INSTRUMENT
The FR-18 diatonic comes with changeable inlay sheets which enable owners to change the
accordion’s appearance by replacing the sheets.
End-users can create their own custom-designed inlay sheets using an A4 printer or using
commercially available paper such as wall papers or cutting sheets etc.
12 SETS TO COVER WIDE MUSICAL GENRES
12 Accordion (tone) Sets to cover a lot of musical genres.
DEDICATED ACOUSTIC AND ORCHESTRAL SOUNDS FOR EACH SET
The FR-18 diatonic comes with eight treble orchestra, three orchestra bass and three
orchestra chord sounds that are different for each set. This means that each set (Folk, Classic,
Tradition, Organetto and so on) will recall dedicated orchestral sounds relevant to that
set. Three user sets allow the musician to customise the FR-18 diatonic with new acoustic
and orchestral sounds. Dual mode function allows the accordionist to layer orchestral and
accordion sounds for the right hand, so as to extend the melody part.
USB MEMORY FOR USER DATA AND SOUND LIBRARY MANAGEMENT
The USB port allows you to customise your instrument with new orchestra and accordion
sounds. You can also save and load user program data, load user set data and manage
tablature files.
AIR BUTTONS AND BELLOWS RESISTANCE REGULATOR
The Bellows resistance regulator allows the musician to control the sensitivity of the bellows,
making the bellows easier to push or pull.
HEADPHONE SOCKET TO PRACTISE WITHOUT DISTURBING NEIGHBOURS
A headphone socket enables you to practise at night and in small apartments without
disturbing the neighbours.
MIDI IN/OUT
MIDI IN/OUT connection to expand your creativity using sequencers, sound modules and so on.
CHORD MODE SELECTION
This function selects chord mode in the left hand, removing the third degree in the
chord and allowing musicians to play complex chord combinations, especially when
playing jazz music.
Full Chord mode. -3rd Chord mode.
TABLATURE SOFTWARE CREATOR
A free software program for PC and Mac will soon be available on the Roland website.
This dedicated software will allow you to personalise the layout of the FR-18’s keyboard
and bass buttons, turning the FR-18 diatonic into a truly “open instrument”.
Users can create their own layout for keyboard and bass buttons and also decide how
many buttons in the keyboard and bass sections they want to play. Thanks to the USB
port, tablature sets can be loaded easily into the FR-18 diatonic.

Take one, get more.
RAM 4677 RAMRES 807-15 605.00.0246
www.roland.com
Note: in the interest of product improvement, the specifications
and/or appearance of this unit are subject to change without
prior notice.
FR-18 diatonic SPECIFICATIONS
Keyboard, Bass & Bellows
Right hand 37 buttons, velocity sensitive.
Left hand 18 bass buttons velocity sensitive.
Tablature 12 types to congure treble button keyboard and Bass&Chord buttons.
Key 12 keys to play in all tonalities: C, C#, D, Eb, E, F, F#, G, Ab, A, Bb, B.
Bellows Real pneumatic detection of bellows pressure (high-resolution pressure sensor), Bellows Resistance regulator.
Sound source
Tones (Accordion Set) 12 accordion sets, each including: 8 Treble registers, 3 Bass & Chord registers, 3 Orchestra Bass registers, 3 Orchestra Chord registers,
8 Orchestra sounds, 4 Organ sounds.
Reed Footages 5 Treble, 3 Bass, 2 Chord.
Orchestral sounds
8 dierent for each Set.
Organ sounds
4: Blues, Distortion, Full Draw, 3rd Percussion (slow/fast Rotary settings for each).
Orchestral Bass sounds
3 dierent for each Set.
Orchestral Chord sounds
3 dierent for each Set.
PBM (Physical Behaviour Modelling)
Noises Stopping-reed growl, closing valve noise, left button noise.
Individual Reed Simulation Hysteresis threshold, expression curve, pressure-variant lter, pressure variant pitch deviation.
Reed sound wave switching By bellows acceleration, by note repetition speed.
Musette Tuning
Micro-Tuning Presets 15 (Dry, Classic, F-Folk, American L/H, North Europe, German L/H, D-Folk L/H, Alpine, Italian L/H, French, Scottish).
Eects
Reverb/Chorus 8 types, 8 types.
Rotary Slow/Fast (for organ sounds).
Panel Controls
Knob Controls Volume, Registers: 4 x Treble, Orchestra, Organ, Set; 3 x Bass, Orchestra Bass, Orchestra Chord.
Buttons Power On/O, Orchestra/Organ, Orch Bass, Orch Chord, Left Register/Battery, Drums/Default, Key/Demo, User Prog/Dec, Tablature/Inc.
Operation mode
User Programs 4
Octave Down(-), 0 Up (+) (for Treble, Orchestra and Organ).
Orchestra/Organ Modes Solo, Dual.
Chord mode: Full or without the 3rd chord degree.
Metronome On/O; Time Signature: 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 6/8, 7/8, 9/8; Tempo: 20-250.
Drums 4 drum/percussion sets.
Power supply
Supplied External AC adapter PSB-1U (100V~240V universal) or optional batteries.
Power consumption
500 mA (using external adaptor).
Battery
(optional) 8 x AA type Ni-MH 2000 mAh – batteries ±5.5 hours. This varies depending on the actual conditions of use.
Note: Carbon and alkaline batteries should not be used. Be sure to only use rechargeable Ni-MH AA-type batteries.
Others
Connectors MIDI connector OUT/IN (adjustable via Function parameter), USB MIDI (computer connection) DC IN socket.
Output Jack L/Mono (Treble), R/Mono (Bass); Headphones jack (Stereo).
Power Supply External AC adaptor PSB-1U (100 ~ 240V, universal).
USB Memory port storage devices.
Wave Expansion 2 internal areas (8Mb each) to load new sounds.
Size and Weight
Size (mm) 375 (H) x 365 (W) x 195 (D) mm; 14-13/16 (H) x 14-3/8 (W) x 7-11/16 (D) inches.
Weight 5.3 kg/11 lbs. 11 oz. (without straps and optional batteries).
Supplied Accessories
1/4” phone (guitar) cable, Earphones (with 1/8” 1/4” adaptor plug), External PSB-1U AC adaptor, Owner’s Manual, Strip for securing the adapter, MIDI and/or audio cables, Hexagonal
wrench, Straps, Replaceable “traforo” inlay sheets.
Optional Accessories
Colour variation Black, Red.
BAG FR-1 Accordion soft bag.
CM-30 Cube Monitor.
CUBE street Stereo Amplier.
SA-300 Stage Amplier.
Mobile Cube Stereo Amplier.
AMC-3 Audio/Midi cable.
AAP-1 Music Rest and Throne.
Download a QR scanner
application for your
Smartphone and scan this
image to instantly access
the relevant web page.