Roland FR-4XB RD

The V-Accordion legacy in a more portable format

With the FR-4xb, Roland continues the evolution of the V-Accordion family by offering a model that is both easier to transport and particularly accomplished musically. This model captures the spirit of the high-end FR-8xb, inheriting its sound module and user interface, while targeting accordionists looking for a more manageable instrument for the stage, rehearsals, or frequent travel. The result is a modern digital accordion, made in Italy, that preserves the familiar aspects of traditional playing while opening up access to a much broader sound palette than a classic acoustic instrument.

Keyboard design

The Roland FR-4xb features a button configuration that is particularly reassuring for accordionists accustomed to traditional instruments: its 92 right-hand buttons and 120 left-hand buttons offer a familiar layout designed to preserve playing habits. The bellows feature a high-sensitivity pressure detection circuit, providing an immediate and nuanced response according to the intensity of the player's movements. A bellows resistance regulator also allows the inertia to be adjusted to suit the musician's preferences. Compact and lightweight, this V-Accordion remains comfortable to carry during long sessions and is equally well suited to practice at home and mobile performances.

Sound quality

The FR-4xb stands out with an especially rich sound base for an accordion of this size. Its sound generator draws on the power of the FR-8xb and provides 100 accordion sound sets, including 67 preloaded sets, covering a wide range of styles from musette to international sounds such as Bayan. In addition, there are 162 orchestral sounds, 32 organ sounds, and 3 drum kits, considerably expanding the instrument's scope for solo and ensemble playing. The integrated amplification system, consisting of two speakers and a tweeter, delivers broad, balanced sound, making it practical to play without external equipment. Four expansion ports also provide access to additional libraries, with the Balkans and Dallapé expansions already pre-installed.

Built-in effects

To shape the tone without making operation more complicated, Roland has selected essential and effective effects: chorus to broaden the sound, reverb to add space, and rotary to recreate the characteristic movement of organ tones. These treatments make it easy to customize an accordion register, enrich an orchestral sound, or integrate the instrument more effectively into a live setting.

Technical specifications

Max polyphony	128	Type of accordion	Chromatic
Velocity sensitive	Yes	Key format	button
Category	Digital	Inputs	USB, MIDI
Number of bass buttons	120	Outputs	headphone, jack, USB, MIDI
Number of right-hand buttons	92	Color	Black

Bellows pressure detection	high sensitivity	Effects	chorus, reverb, Rotary
Bellows resistance	adjustable	Amplification system	built-in
Display	character LCD	Number of speakers	2
Sound generator	inherited from the FR-8xb	Number of tweeters	1
Accordion sound sets	100, including 67 preloaded	Audio recorder	built-in
Number of orchestral sounds	162	Playback of backing tracks	via USB flash drive
Number of organ sounds	32	Settings backup	to USB flash drive
Number of drum kits	3	Connections	Line outputs, headphone output, MIDI In/Out, USB flash drive port
Expansion ports for sound libraries	4	Dedicated editor	yes
Pre-installed expansions	Balkans and Dallapé	Compatibility with additional sound libraries	via expansions