Brands of digital accordions

[the flying bunny]

I have seen the Roland digital accordions, however, I was wondering if there are other brands of digital accordions competing with Roland?

 

[Chrisrayner]

If I remember correctly you play a diatonic bisonoric accordion. Roland used to make such an instrument. The FR18, now discontinued, but to be found from time to time on ebay etc. It is not universally admired among diatonic players. There is a make of diatonic electronic accordions who pursues it as a part time interest. If you order one of his then prepare yourself for a long wait. Mine was delivered about 15 months after I ordered it. It is a properly good instrument with the option to try any tuning you like and use midi sound sample for voices. Tubular bells are popular as a stunt. His website is here: http://www.streb.co.uk/. There are occasional used instruments for sale, particularly on melodeon.net. Mine, which I received about a year ago is serial no. 124. It’s not for sale. So the market is limited to the other 120odd items one or two of whose owners may be interested in selling them on. They will, of course, be overwhelmingly British, probably mostly English.

 

[Alan Sharkis]

I have seen the Roland digital accordions, however, I was wondering if there are other brands of digital accordions competing with Roland?

Not yet.

There is the promise of a digital coming to market next month, the Mia by Proxima Digital Accordions of Italy, covid-19 permitting.

Of course, there are others out there now, like the reedless accordions from MusicTech, Master, and Cavagnoli, the Bugari EVO (which uses Roland Electronics,) and some from the past that occasionally show up on eBay like the Sem Ciao. But I wouldn’t call any of them competitors of Roland in terms of number of units sold.

If, however, you wish to consider acoustic accordions with midi installed, that would bring many more accordions into the “digital” designation, and then, if you lump them all together ... But I’m spitting hairs here?

 

[the flying bunny]

If I remember correctly you play a diatonic bisonoric accordion. Roland used to make such an instrument. The FR18, now discontinued, but to be found from time to time on ebay etc. It is not universally admired among diatonic players. There is a make of diatonic electronic accordions who pursues it as a part time interest. If you order one of his then prepare yourself for a long wait. Mine was delivered about 15 months after I ordered it. It is a properly good instrument with the option to try any tuning you like and use midi sound sample for voices. Tubular bells are popular as a stunt. His website is here: http://www.streb.co.uk/. There are occasional used instruments for sale, particularly on melodeon.net. Mine, which I received about a year ago is serial no. 124. It’s not for sale. So the market is limited to the other 120odd items one or two of whose owners may be interested in selling them on. They will, of course, be overwhelmingly British, probably mostly English.

Yes, I am playing a diatonic, but I enjoy learning about accordions in general. Might even consider getting a CBA, too. Also, I love the idea of practicing with headphones so the whole family doesn’t have to endure my noise ?

 

[Chrisrayner]

Yes, I am playing a diatonic, but I enjoy learning about accordions in general. Might even consider getting a CBA, too. Also, I love the idea of practicing with headphones so the whole family doesn’t have to endure my noise ?

The headphone thing is the reason a lot of folks get a Streb. Having myself recently moved from a diatonic to a CBA I would warn you that they are not close to identical instruments. The technique is very different. I also play guitar and several other instruments. Musical theory travels from one instrument to the other, technique, less so.

 

[the flying bunny]

Thanks, Christayner. I play guitar and piano so I am comfortable with music theory, so I can spend more time learning technique. I am just adding to my hobbies by recently getting the diatonic accordion. I don’t mind that diatonic is not a smooth transition to CBA if I choose to get one some day. I am just enjoying the challenge of learning new things. I am not a big fan of TV or video games...I prefer to entertain myself with lots of hobbies.

 

[Dingo40]

I would think, playing PA is more like piano, CBA more like guitar, in the mental gymnastics required ?

 

[Alan Sharkis]

I would think, playing PA is more like piano, CBA more like guitar, in the mental gymnastics required ?

Playing piano-accordion as well as playing CBA (which I haven’t done) is also an exercise in harmony. Think of it this way: you start with Stradella bass, and immediately get introduced to the Circle of Fifths, the I-IV-V chord progression without knowing its significance. Then, your right hand begins to wxplore pitch as applied to melody, you learn thirds, then triads, then sixths and sevenths. Hmmm. Some of that echoes what you’ve been doing with your left hand, but some can go beyond what your left hand can do, but you can still make your left hand fit into it harmonically, since all those fancy chords are based on triads. Some of you might even switch to free bass to expand what your left hand can accomplish. Now, we add bellows to th mix. A pianist or a guitarist has to struggle with such elements as sustain and dynamics. In the case of the pianst, it calls for mastery of touch and pedal technique. An accordionist can achieve both through bellows control. The accordionist can sustain a note longer than a pianist and produce subtle dynamic changes with subtle changes in bellows pressure. It’s almost instinctive — you hear a crescendo in your mind or see one notated on a piece of sheet music and almost automatically your left hand gradually pulls or squeezes harder and harder. You feel the music and translate It into performance more easily and with less thought than another instrumentalist. Your instrument is part of you earlier and more naturally than in the case of another instrumentalist. And yet, you struggle and pactice just as any other student of music, but the set of advantages and disadvantages of your chosen instrument make your experince unique.

 

[JerryPH]

I have seen the Roland digital accordions, however, I was wondering if there are other brands of digital accordions competing with Roland?

Several.
- There is the recently released Proxia.
- There is the MusicTech.
- There is the Cavignolo
- In "hybrid fashion (real accordion, good digital electronics), there is the stupidly expensive Concerto (which I'd not really recommend because besides the ridiculous price, there is zero evolution here in the last 5+ years).
- There is the Bugari Evo which is now defunct, but still being sold (basically a prettier but way more expensive Roland FR-8X).

I'm sure that I am missing out a few more but that's just off the top off my head.

 

[davidplaysaccordion]

This is a list I put together over the last year or so while I was thinking about going electric (PA rather than Diatonic) although I know nothing about most of them.

Roland FR-4X and FR-8X
Bugari Evo (basically the 8X engine in a 'real' accordion body (Still reedless though)
MusicTech
Cavagnolo Digi (French?)
Gwerder DA7
Concerto (electronic add on to a 'real' accordion) - Very expensive!
Limex but this is really an Add-On to an existing phyical accordion. Bit like the Concerto
CIAO Reedless digital accordion - By SEM accordions I think!

Excalibur XR Reedless Ultralight LTD Accordion Built in Rythyms - Jim Laabs - New ??

I've played a Concerto. A lot of fun but Heavy and it's still a 'real' accordion so when you play it's loud like a 'real' accordion so no late night practice while the family sleeps I am afraid.

In the end I've gone with a Roland FR-4x. It's great fun and I'm glad I got it but it will never be the same as a 'real' accordion. The dynamics are just different (speakers vs real reeds and air blowing over then and all that resonance you get) but it does sound good and at last I'll be able to go to an open mic and actually 'plug in' vs trying to mic my instrument.
I always used to think that non accordion sounds coming from an accordion sounded wrong (although I've played synths for years so it's not a strange concept) but now that I have the 4x, it's fun to play around with.
All I need now is a battery powered PA and I am good to go busking withe the box and pedal board. $6k of gear to earn maybe $10 an hour playing on the street.... So worth it LOL

 

[Alan Sharkis]

This is a list I put together over the last year or so while I was thinking about going electric (PA rather than Diatonic) although I know nothing about most of them.

Roland FR-4X and FR-8X
Bugari Evo (basically the 8X engine in a 'real' accordion body (Still reedless though)
MusicTech
Cavagnolo Digi (French?)
Gwerder DA7
Concerto (electronic add on to a 'real' accordion) - Very expensive!
Limex but this is really an Add-On to an existing phyical accordion. Bit like the Concerto
CIAO Reedless digital accordion - By SEM accordions I think!

Excalibur XR Reedless Ultralight LTD Accordion Built in Rythyms - Jim Laabs - New ??

I've played a Concerto. A lot of fun but Heavy and it's still a 'real' accordion so when you play it's loud like a 'real' accordion so no late night practice while the family sleeps I am afraid.

In the end I've gone with a Roland FR-4x. It's great fun and I'm glad I got it but it will never be the same as a 'real' accordion. The dynamics are just different (speakers vs real reeds and air blowing over then and all that resonance you get) but it does sound good and at last I'll be able to go to an open mic and actually 'plug in' vs trying to mic my instrument.
I always used to think that non accordion sounds coming from an accordion sounded wrong (although I've played synths for years so it's not a strange concept) but now that I have the 4x, it's fun to play around with.
All I need now is a battery powered PA and I am good to go busking withe the box and pedal board. $6k of gear to earn maybe $10 an hour playing on the street.... So worth it LOL

Master Production of Castelfidardo also makes a reedless accordion, as well as a flat keyboard and what has been named the AxE-Cord in the US (Master has another name for it.) All are based on the same midi unit that Master installs in acoustic accordions -- the Midi Play, or PlayMidi. I own an AxE-Cord. It looks like a keytar, with 41 treble piano keys at the lower end, and 96 bass buttons and the midi controller at the other end. I bought it when I was recovering from a total knee replacement and since it was my left knee that was replaced, I couldn't put any pressure on my left thigh for a while. It goes on your body like a guitar, and weighs something like 10 pounds. I still play it occasionally. There may also be a chromatic button model of it.

 

[the flying bunny]

This is a list I put together over the last year or so while I was thinking about going electric (PA rather than Diatonic) although I know nothing about most of them.

Roland FR-4X and FR-8X
Bugari Evo (basically the 8X engine in a 'real' accordion body (Still reedless though)
MusicTech
Cavagnolo Digi (French?)
Gwerder DA7
Concerto (electronic add on to a 'real' accordion) - Very expensive!
Limex but this is really an Add-On to an existing phyical accordion. Bit like the Concerto
CIAO Reedless digital accordion - By SEM accordions I think!

Excalibur XR Reedless Ultralight LTD Accordion Built in Rythyms - Jim Laabs - New ??

I've played a Concerto. A lot of fun but Heavy and it's still a 'real' accordion so when you play it's loud like a 'real' accordion so no late night practice while the family sleeps I am afraid.

In the end I've gone with a Roland FR-4x. It's great fun and I'm glad I got it but it will never be the same as a 'real' accordion. The dynamics are just different (speakers vs real reeds and air blowing over then and all that resonance you get) but it does sound good and at last I'll be able to go to an open mic and actually 'plug in' vs trying to mic my instrument.
I always used to think that non accordion sounds coming from an accordion sounded wrong (although I've played synths for years so it's not a strange concept) but now that I have the 4x, it's fun to play around with.
All I need now is a battery powered PA and I am good to go busking withe the box and pedal board. $6k of gear to earn maybe $10 an hour playing on the street.... So worth it LOL

What kind of gear do you have for busking?

 

[davidplaysaccordion]

For busking with the accordion, up until now I have just been taking my Borsini although I'll probably try it with just the Roland some time soon, no pedal board or pa though to keep it simple.
People seem to like the accordion on it's own anyway. I'll have to experiment some more with the pedal board before I commit to trying that live in any sort of setting. I've only had the 4x a week so I am still exploring that yet.

In the past I played a keytar (Roland Lucina) through an effects unit, loop pedal and beatbuddy drum machine into a small mixer and then into my pa (QSC K10 combo speaker/amp). Mic went into the mixer as well on it's own input. I used to sing but I have pretty much stopped since I started playing the accordion, not that I was any great singer but it was 'passable'.
Since I usually played farmer's markets that did not have power, all this was powered by two 12v Sealed Lead Acid batteries powering a 600 watt pure sine wave inverter that provided 110v ac power to all the wall warts for the pedal boards and to the speaker.
Overall, not very portable (the batter box weighs around 50 lb!)
Since I built all this stuff, battery technology has improved a lot so I have converted my pedal board to run off a couple of lithium power banks that give me 5v that I then convert up to 9v to power all the pedals and stuff.
So now my pedal board is portable as well, I 'could' go electric with the Roland if I had a small battery pa.
An alternative way of rigging things, although I lose the loop and effects pedals, is to plug the drum machine output into the FR4x stereo input and basically play the drums through the Roland. It works but I cannot loop anything. With the loop machine in the line I can pre record 'backing' tracks as loops (using the Roland or the keytar) and then select them when I want to play along with them, pretty much the same I did with the keytar.

It sounds complicated but it's not really.

This is my keytar



And this is the pedal board

 

[the flying bunny]

Master Production of Castelfidardo also makes a reedless accordion, as well as a flat keyboard and what has been named the AxE-Cord in the US (Master has another name for it.) All are based on the same midi unit that Master installs in acoustic accordions -- the Midi Play, or PlayMidi. I own an AxE-Cord. It looks like a keytar, with 41 treble piano keys at the lower end, and 96 bass buttons and the midi controller at the other end. I bought it when I was recovering from a total knee replacement and since it was my left knee that was replaced, I couldn't put any pressure on my left thigh for a while. It goes on your body like a guitar, and weighs something like 10 pounds. I still play it occasionally. There may also be a chromatic button model of it.

I watched the demo video for the Axe-cord....that was really entertaining! I looks like such a fun instrument.

 

[the flying bunny]

For busking with the accordion, up until now I have just been taking my Borsini although I'll probably try it with just the Roland some time soon, no pedal board or pa though to keep it simple.
People seem to like the accordion on it's own anyway. I'll have to experiment some more with the pedal board before I commit to trying that live in any sort of setting. I've only had the 4x a week so I am still exploring that yet.

In the past I played a keytar (Roland Lucina) through an effects unit, loop pedal and beatbuddy drum machine into a small mixer and then into my pa (QSC K10 combo speaker/amp). Mic went into the mixer as well on it's own input. I used to sing but I have pretty much stopped since I started playing the accordion, not that I was any great singer but it was 'passable'.
Since I usually played farmer's markets that did not have power, all this was powered by two 12v Sealed Lead Acid batteries powering a 600 watt pure sine wave inverter that provided 110v ac power to all the wall warts for the pedal boards and to the speaker.
Overall, not very portable (the batter box weighs around 50 lb!)
Since I built all this stuff, battery technology has improved a lot so I have converted my pedal board to run off a couple of lithium power banks that give me 5v that I then convert up to 9v to power all the pedals and stuff.
So now my pedal board is portable as well, I 'could' go electric with the Roland if I had a small battery pa.
An alternative way of rigging things, although I lose the loop and effects pedals, is to plug the drum machine output into the FR4x stereo input and basically play the drums through the Roland. It works but I cannot loop anything. With the loop machine in the line I can pre record 'backing' tracks as loops (using the Roland or the keytar) and then select them when I want to play along with them, pretty much the same I did with the keytar.

It sounds complicated but it's not really.

This is my keytar



And this is the pedal board

Thank you so much for the photos! That really helps to explain the set up. You are right though....it does sound complicated to me

 

[Alan Sharkis]

I watched the demo video for the Axe-cord....that was really entertaining! I looks like such a fun instrument.

The only addition to it that I would suggest is some kind of small strap akin to the bass strap on an accordion to help the player’s left hand orient the buttons better, but after some time with the instrument, even that isn’t necessary.