![Rainer von Vielen-Heimatsound-2015 (12)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/Rainer_von_Vielen-Heimatsound-2015_%2812%29.jpg)
A digital accordion is an electronic musical instrument that uses the control features of a traditional
accordion
Accordions (from 19th-century German ''Akkordeon'', from ''Akkord''—"musical chord, concord of sounds") are a family of box-shaped musical instruments of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone type (producing sound as air flows past a reed ...
(bellows, bass buttons for the left hand, and a small piano-style keyboard (or buttons) for the right hand, and
register switches) to trigger a digital
sound module
A sound module is an electronic musical instrument without a human-playable interface such as a piano-style musical keyboard. Sound modules have to be operated using an externally connected device, which is often a MIDI controller, of which the ...
that produces
synthesized or
digitally sampled
Digital usually refers to something using discrete digits, often binary digits.
Technology and computing Hardware
*Digital electronics, electronic circuits which operate using digital signals
**Digital camera, which captures and stores digital i ...
accordion sounds or, in most instruments, a range of non-accordion sounds, such as orchestral instruments,
pipe organ
The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air (called ''wind'') through the organ pipes selected from a keyboard. Because each pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ''ranks ...
, piano, guitar, and so on. Digital accordions typically encode and transmit key presses and other input as
Musical Instrument Digital Interface
MIDI (; Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a technical standard that describes a communications protocol, digital interface, and electrical connectors that connect a wide variety of electronic musical instruments, computers, and re ...
(MIDI) messages. Most digital accordions need to be plugged into a
keyboard amplifier
A keyboard amplifier is a powered electronic amplifier and loudspeaker in a wooden speaker cabinet used for amplification of electronic keyboard instruments. Keyboard amplifiers are distinct from other types of amplification systems such as g ...
or
PA system
A public address system (or PA system) is an electronic system comprising microphones, amplifiers, loudspeakers, and related equipment. It increases the apparent volume (loudness) of a human voice, musical instrument, or other acoustic sound sou ...
to hear their sounds.
Purely digital, reedless instruments are not to be confused with "accordion hybrids", which are a standard acoustic accordion with sensors for all the keys and buttons to interface with electronic sounds. This allows the instrument to be played totally acoustically, with no electronic sounds, or operated to just use the electronics, or used with a mix of acoustic and digital sounds. There are a myriad of sound combinations of acoustic and electronic sounds, which require a trained ear to play properly mixed sounds. These hybrids also require an amplifier and sound module, of which some models have said module mounted inside the acoustic instrument along with the reeds. (See Terminology below)
Terminology
A digital accordion may also be called an electronic accordion, MIDI accordion, or reedless accordion. Some instruments referred to as "MIDI accordions" may be hybrid acoustic-electronic instruments,
[Davidson, Miriam. ''Alfred's Teach Yourself to Play Accordion''. Alfred Music Publishing, 2005. p. 86] in that they contain the traditional acoustic elements (reeds, bellows, valves) with sensors and electronic circuitry that converts button and key presses and bellows pushing and pulling into MIDI messages. These MIDI messages can be plugged into an external synthesizer, sampler, or
sound module
A sound module is an electronic musical instrument without a human-playable interface such as a piano-style musical keyboard. Sound modules have to be operated using an externally connected device, which is often a MIDI controller, of which the ...
to produce sounds. A hybrid acousic-electronic accordion may have an "all off" or
mute
Muteness is a speech disorder in which a person lacks the ability to speak.
Mute or the Mute may also refer to:
Arts and entertainment Film and television
* ''Mute'' (2005 film), a short film by Melissa Joan Hart
* ''Mute'' (2018 film), a scien ...
register switch which stops all of the acoustic reed sounds; this enables a player to use an entirely synthesized sound (electronic synthesizer strings or trumpet, for example), or play with headphones plugged into a synth module for night-time practice.
Hybrid acoustic-electronic conversion kits are available for players who wish to add electronic MIDI capabilities to a traditional acoustic instrument. These kits contain the sensors, jacks, circuitry and wiring needed to be able to turn an acoustic accordion into a MIDI accordion. These kits are typically installed by a professional accordion repair shop.
History
![Farfisa Transicord](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Farfisa_Transicord.jpg)
The first electronic accordions were developed in the early 1960s by the Italian
Farfisa
Farfisa (Fabbriche Riunite di Fisarmoniche) is a manufacturer of electronics based in Osimo, Italy, founded in 1946. The company manufactured a series of compact electronic organs in the 1960s and 1970s, including the Compact, FAST, Professiona ...
company, which was formed by the merging of the
Scandalli,
Settimio Soprani, and
Frontalini companies.
Farfisa made reed organs using pressurized air (e.g., Microrgan and Pianorgan)
and developed the first
transistor
upright=1.4, gate (G), body (B), source (S) and drain (D) terminals. The gate is separated from the body by an insulating layer (pink).
A transistor is a semiconductor device used to Electronic amplifier, amplify or electronic switch, switch e ...
accordion, the Farfisa Transicord. It was not truly designed to imitate an accordion's acoustic sound; an "accordion-shaped
combo organ
A combo organ, so-named and classified by popular culture due to its original intended use by small, touring jazz, pop and dance groups known as "combo bands", as well as some models having "Combo" as part of their brand or model names, is an elect ...
" would have been perhaps a more fitting name. There were no reeds in the purely electronic instrument. It was designed to be used in conjunction with Farfisa's amplifiers, and had a multi-pin cable that connected the controls of the accordion, with the controls of the amplifier, or the F/AR, an external
reverb
Reverberation (also known as reverb), in acoustics, is a persistence of sound, after a sound is produced. Reverberation is created when a sound or signal is reflected causing numerous reflections to build up and then decay as the sound is abso ...
, preamp and power supply unit. The Transicord came in two models, a "standard" and a "DeLuxe." The Transicord DeLuxe includes organ percussion effects.
Opening and closing the bellows engage an effect similar to the "tone boost" knee lever on Combo Compact model organs.
In 1960-1962, Farfisa developed the first-generation Cordovox
vacuum tube
A vacuum tube, electron tube, valve (British usage), or tube (North America), is a device that controls electric current flow in a high vacuum between electrodes to which an electric voltage, potential difference has been applied.
The type kn ...
accordion, the CG-2 and CG-3, which used tubes in a suitcase-sized tone module for the tone generation (the accordion was connected to the tone module with a thick cable).
In 1967, Farfisa developed the CG-4 and CG-5, transistor accordions that had more electronic features, such as keyboard percussion and organ stop presets. In 1971 and 1974, the third and fourth generations of Cordovox accordions were developed.
The CAG-1 was a combined tone generator and combo keyboard amplifier/speaker in a large cabinet.
The CRD-251 from 1974 had updated electronics made by Japanese manufacturers. The CL-20 was a speaker cabinet with a
rotating speaker, which added a
chorus effect
Chorus (or chorusing, choruser or chorused effect) is an audio effect that occurs when individual sounds with approximately the same time, and very similar pitches, converge. While similar sounds coming from multiple sources can occur naturally, ...
. In 1974, Farfisa launched the Transivox series, which had an onboard tone generator which included vibrato, sustain and
wah-wah effects.
The
Hohner
Hohner Musikinstrumente GmbH & Co. KG is a German manufacturer of musical instruments, founded in 1857 by Matthias Hohner (1833–1902). The roots of the Hohner firm are in Trossingen, Baden-Württemberg. Since its foundation, and though known ...
Electravox is an electronic accordion which has one channel (combined left hand and right hand) or two channel (separate left hand and right hand channels, which enables independent volume changes), 92 bass/chord buttons, keyboard percussion effect for the bass buttons and keyboard, a vibrato effect (with slow/fast options), and a separate power supply unit, which sits on the floor.
The Electravox had 16', 8', 5 1/3', and 4' registers.
The tuning for the Electravox could be changed to match another instrument, such as a piano or organ, but this required changing all 12 master tone generators with a special tool.
Other manufacturers imitated the Farfisa Cordovox, such as the Bell Accordions Duovox, which used
Crumar
Crumar was an Italian manufacturer of electronic musical instruments. It was established by Mario Crucianelli in the late 1960s, and manufactured synthesizers and keyboards during the '70s and '80s. Its name is a portmanteau of "Cruci ...
organ electronics.
In 1979,
Elka ELKA, Elka, or Elkas may refer to:
* Aspioti-ELKA, Greek publishing and printing firm, active 1873–1997
* An Italian synthesizer manufacturer, now defunct; brand now owned by Generalmusic, used for their amplifier products
** Elka Synthex, a synt ...
, an Italian organ and accordion company, developed the Elkavox and the Iorio Accorgan, both of which are electronic accordions. These Elka accordions have an external sound module, power supply, and pedal which lies on the ground. The Italian-American firm Petosa Accordions imitated the Elka 77/Iorio G accordion electronics to create their Petosa Series II electronic accordion.
Sound output
Many digital accordions are
MIDI controller
A MIDI controller is any hardware or software that generates and transmits Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) data to MIDI-enabled devices, typically to trigger sounds and control parameters of an electronic music performance. They mos ...
s, as these accordions' keys and sensors do not make sounds without their sound module. When the keys are played, MIDI messages are produced which can trigger sounds when plugged into an external
sound module
A sound module is an electronic musical instrument without a human-playable interface such as a piano-style musical keyboard. Sound modules have to be operated using an externally connected device, which is often a MIDI controller, of which the ...
(or by being connected to a built-in sound module. Like other electronic instruments, such as
synthesizer
A synthesizer (also spelled synthesiser) is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals. Synthesizers typically create sounds by generating waveforms through methods including subtractive synthesis, additive synthesis and ...
keyboards, digital accordions or their sound modules are usually plugged into a
keyboard amplifier
A keyboard amplifier is a powered electronic amplifier and loudspeaker in a wooden speaker cabinet used for amplification of electronic keyboard instruments. Keyboard amplifiers are distinct from other types of amplification systems such as g ...
and speaker or a
PA system
A public address system (or PA system) is an electronic system comprising microphones, amplifiers, loudspeakers, and related equipment. It increases the apparent volume (loudness) of a human voice, musical instrument, or other acoustic sound sou ...
for live shows (or directly into a
mixing board
A mixing console or mixing desk is an electronic device for mixing audio signals, used in sound recording and reproduction and sound reinforcement systems. Inputs to the console include microphones, signals from electric or electronic inst ...
for recording). Some digital accordions, such as the
Roland
Roland (; frk, *Hrōþiland; lat-med, Hruodlandus or ''Rotholandus''; it, Orlando or ''Rolando''; died 15 August 778) was a Frankish military leader under Charlemagne who became one of the principal figures in the literary cycle known as the ...
V-Accordion, have a built-in power amplifier and small speaker, which means that these instruments can be played at rehearsals and small venues without plugging them in (the V-Accordion also has an output jack for plugging it into a keyboard amplifier or PA system).
Some digital accordion sound modules use sampling of real instruments.
Some digital accordions use synthesized sounds.
Power module
![AlYankovicByKristineSlipson](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/AlYankovicByKristineSlipson.jpg)
Digital accordions need electric power to operate. The Roland V-Accordion can be powered with a rechargeable battery pack.
Units often have a separate power module which is set on the floor or a tabletop. The power module typically contains a
patch bay
A patch panel is a device or unit featuring a number of jacks, usually of the same or similar type, for the use of connecting and routing circuits for monitoring, interconnecting, and testing circuits in a convenient, flexible manner. Patch ...
of jacks for MIDI cables, sustain pedals and expression pedals (if used with that accordion) and audio outputs. Some power modules also contain a wireless transmitter. Some power modules contain
expression pedal
An expression pedal is an important control found on many musical instruments including organs, electronic keyboards, and pedal steel guitar. The musician uses the pedal to control different aspects of the sound, commonly volume. Separate expres ...
s for volume and/or buttons for triggering effects units or controlling other features of the accordion. The benefit of floor-mounted buttons and pedals on the power module is that it enables the player to make changes to their sound without taking their hands off the instrument keys or note buttons.
The benefits of having a separate power module is that it can minimize the number of cables connected to the accordion to one multipin MIDI, MIDI-style, or computer cable, which means the performer does not have a variety of cables (two to six) plugged into their instrument, which could be cumbersome and increase the risk of accidental disconnection. As well, a separate power module reduces the weight of the accordion.
Switches and interface
![Treble secsion of Roland chromatic button V-accordion](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/Treble_secsion_of_Roland_chromatic_button_V-accordion.jpg)
Digital accordions have buttons for changing the registers of the bass buttons/chords and the right-hand manual, and an air valve for letting the air out of the bellows without making sound. Unlike a traditional acoustic accordion, though, the register buttons are not opening valves or other mechanisms to pass air over reeds and produce acoustic sound. Digital accordions have a sensor that detects bellows pressure, which affects the loudness, sustain, and in some instruments, the timbre of the synthesized or sampled sound. Since digital accordions already have the bellows sensor for controlling volume, velocity-sensitive keys, like those found on a piano-style MIDI controller, are uncommon.
As well, digital accordions have other types of buttons or switches: a power button, a volume knob or buttons, program and sound buttons, buttons for selecting
effect unit
An effects unit or effects pedal is an electronic device that alters the sound of a musical instrument or other audio source through audio signal processing.
Common effects include distortion/overdrive, often used with electric guitar in ele ...
settings (for reverb and other effects), other instrument sound buttons (organ, piano, guitar, etc.), and buttons and keys for notes (on some instruments these are velocity-sensitive). Some instruments have chin switches to change registers, programs, or act like a
sustain pedal
A sustain pedal or sustaining pedal (also called damper pedal, loud pedal, or open pedal) is the most commonly used pedal in a modern piano. It is typically the rightmost of two or three pedals. When pressed, the sustain pedal "sustains" all ...
and provide other functions without taking the hands off the instrument.
Some digital accordions have a display panel to indicate the settings: this may range from a small LED panel that can give short numeric codes (on the Scandalli EWA) to a small full-colour display (on the Roland FR-8X V-Accordion).
A digital accordion may have various output and input jacks, such as left and right 1/4" outputs, headphone jack, MIDI in and/or out jacks, an auxiliary in jack (for plugging in recorded
backing tracks
A backing track is an audio recording on audiotape, CD or a digital recording medium or a MIDI recording of synthesized instruments, sometimes of purely rhythmic accompaniment, often of a rhythm section or other accompaniment parts that live music ...
or a
drum machine) and, in some cases, a USB jack.
Some digital accordions allow the entire instrument to be transposed to a different key and/or change the tuning.
The Scandalli EWA has a wireless transmitter and receiver, which means that the instrument can be played onstage without a wired connection to the sound system.
External pedals can be plugged into the Scandalli EWA, such as a
sustain pedal
A sustain pedal or sustaining pedal (also called damper pedal, loud pedal, or open pedal) is the most commonly used pedal in a modern piano. It is typically the rightmost of two or three pedals. When pressed, the sustain pedal "sustains" all ...
, or pedals to control transposition or portamento/pitch glide effects.
External sound modules
Many 2010s era digital accordions have an internal sound module. Accordionists who add
aftermarket solid state contacts or spring contacts and a MIDI system to an acoustic accordion need to plug the MIDI out into an external
sound module
A sound module is an electronic musical instrument without a human-playable interface such as a piano-style musical keyboard. Sound modules have to be operated using an externally connected device, which is often a MIDI controller, of which the ...
. A typical sound module designed for a keyboard player might only have a few accordion sounds. Specialized accordion sound modules offer tens or even hundreds of different accordion sounds. Some Ketron and Orla accordion sound modules also have a programmable
drum machine and
music sequencer
A music sequencer (or audio sequencer or simply sequencer) is a device or application software that can record, edit, or play back music, by handling note and performance information in several forms, typically CV/Gate, MIDI, or Open Sound Cont ...
that can play
backing tracks
A backing track is an audio recording on audiotape, CD or a digital recording medium or a MIDI recording of synthesized instruments, sometimes of purely rhythmic accompaniment, often of a rhythm section or other accompaniment parts that live music ...
in a variety of musical styles. An accordionist with a digital accordion which has an internal sound module can plug the MIDI out into an external sound module to gain access to more sounds or features such as a sustain pedal or separate left hand and right hand outputs, if these are not available on their instrument.
References
{{squeezebox
Accordion
Keyboard instruments
Rhythm section
Electric and electronic keyboard instruments
Folk music instruments