Originally Posted By: Dnj
Originally Posted By: Mark79100
I had a good listen to the BK7M today at my dealer. I was very disappointed with the styles. They seem to get more fluffy with each generation of arrangers. Understandable though as the manufacturer can't put together a new unit and leave the old (basic) styles in it.

But basic styles are what works best, unless you're not a great player. Then you want all that "fluff" in there to fill out what you're unable to play.

I thought those styles sounded like Lawrence Welk music. Or, an entry level arranger keyboard.

To be fair, I didn't hear it under ideal conditions. But when I played a keyboard over the arranger, I didn't feel any real "punch" behind me. Only a lot of "fluff!"


You can always mute tracks in the style mix if you like it stripped down .....thats what arrangers are for arranging.


Donny......arrangers are made NOT for arranging styles. Most players, who are busy working, want their styles to be ready-made. Further, you can "mute" tracks all you want, but there's no cure for bad styles to begin with!

These are the worst styles I've ever heard Roland come up with. And I like Roland equipment. Some, no, MANY of those styles don't even sound like they're supposed to. I think one of them might have been the mambo, or one of the Latin beats.

Speaking of Latin, whoever put those styles together knew nothing about Latin music. There's no guts to them. Ketron has "guts" if you're wondering what I mean.

Further, the variations of each style are not real variations like in the old days. Back then, a "variation" often sounded like a whole new style. These variations consist of "one" added instrument to each press of the tab.

My feeling is Roland knocked themselves out putting so much into that machine, that they did the styles last and they just threw something together for that.

My friend has a machine. But to be fair, there's so much in there he hasn't tweaked it to perfection yet. Still, I wouldn't buy it based on those styles alone.

This is my opinion. I respect others who happen to love this unit. Maybe my opinion will change when I hear more members posting what they've done with theirs. Or my friend will hopefully get HIS up and running.