Hey Guys,

I've been away for a few days because I was doing a demo event in my store with BK7m at the weekend. It was very successful and we sold quite a number of them. I used the Roland A800-Pro controller for my demonstration. The aftertouch pitchbend worked brilliantly on it too.

Ian, I hear that you would like a pitchbend controller included, and think it is an ommission. To be fair, it could have been done (probably) but as everyone else has said, most people who want it will buy a controller with the correct facilities. People prefer to have the pitchbender on the keyboard. For this reason I believe that it would be silly to include it on the device as it would add to the cost and weight of the unit, and suit few people. I also don't think Roland need support Yamaha's sales of NP30 etc

I had a Roland Pro-E many years ago, but it did have a very small keyboard on it (it was rather like the RA50) so it could be argued it wasn't a module.

For those asking about old styles working with this... I have a collection stretching back to the E86, and everything works really well on the BK-7m. They sound a bit fresher with the mastering processors.

During my demonstration my customers spoke about the clarity of sound the module had. TBH I had not particularly noticed it before then, but when you listen closely, you really can hear all the instruments very clearly, with no muffling. I was extremely impressed again.

To all of those who seem to want to pick a brand fight, I'd say this. All the manufacturers now make good gear (on the whole.) What we are really talking about in terms of differences is varying degrees of good. Personally I have liked the Roland sound for a number of years, but respect those who like others. It's not worth falling out about!