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#315391 - 02/05/11 08:50 PM
Re: I'm waiting for the Roland BK-7m: Backing Module
[Re: Dnj]
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Registered: 04/25/05
Posts: 14294
Loc: NW Florida
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Thing that strikes me about this is, with only clocking together, you might be able to create a Yamaha/Roland hybrid by running the BK from the PSR. Just send the NTA channel from the PSR to the BK (I think you can mute its reception of other MIDI channels in the MIDI set). That way, you can mix and match styles together, and have certain Parts from one style play one unit, certain on the other. You'd have to tap dance a BIT to get them to do fills and Variation changes at the same time, but sometimes, that might not be what you want! Think of it as maybe an external Multipad on steroids! Life would be SO MUCH simpler if there were a standardized set of codes for MIDI arranger operation. Basically, if ONLY Fills, Variations, Breaks and On Bass were standardized (start/stop already are) that would be enough to run most setups (a standard code for transpose value would be nice, too). I talked to Steve Demming about it, but he said that very little interest had been shown in that, and until users start clamoring for it, it's unlikely the manufacturers would be willing to sit down with each other. But with the BK, and Audya modules out now, and who knows, maybe a few others following (if the BK takes off), more arranger users will start to see the importance of this. Quite honestly, if you COULD link together two or three MOTL arranger units, I believe you would end up with something that sounds MUCH better than any one TOTL piece of gear. The strengths of each line would mitigate the weaknesses of the others... But, you want this vision to come true, you have to ask for the features that will make it possible. And, I imagine, as in ALL new arrangers, that the styles in the BK will be a combination of some new, some rehashed and reworked, and some from other, older arrangers (E80, G70, etc.). As it always is... 
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An arranger is just a tool. What matters is what you build with it..!
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#315397 - 02/05/11 09:12 PM
Re: I'm waiting for the Roland BK-7m: Backing Module
[Re: Diki]
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Senior Member
Registered: 09/21/00
Posts: 43703
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Thing that strikes me about this is, with only clocking together, you might be able to create a Yamaha/Roland hybrid by running the BK from the PSR. Just send the NTA channel from the PSR to the BK (I think you can mute its reception of other MIDI channels in the MIDI set). That way, you can mix and match styles together, and have certain Parts from one style play one unit, certain on the other. You'd have to tap dance a BIT to get them to do fills and Variation changes at the same time, but sometimes, that might not be what you want! Think of it as maybe an external Multipad on steroids! Life would be SO MUCH simpler if there were a standardized set of codes for MIDI arranger operation. Basically, if ONLY Fills, Variations, Breaks and On Bass were standardized (start/stop already are) that would be enough to run most setups (a standard code for transpose value would be nice, too). I talked to Steve Demming about it, but he said that very little interest had been shown in that, and until users start clamoring for it, it's unlikely the manufacturers would be willing to sit down with each other. But with the BK, and Audya modules out now, and who knows, maybe a few others following (if the BK takes off), more arranger users will start to see the importance of this. Quite honestly, if you COULD link together two or three MOTL arranger units, I believe you would end up with something that sounds MUCH better than any one TOTL piece of gear. The strengths of each line would mitigate the weaknesses of the others... But, you want this vision to come true, you have to ask for the features that will make it possible. And, I imagine, as in ALL new arrangers, that the styles in the BK will be a combination of some new, some rehashed and reworked, and some from other, older arrangers (E80, G70, etc.). As it always is... This is all bringing me back to my KORG M1 synth/Roland RA90 module days....made some great music with that combo.
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#315413 - 02/05/11 10:14 PM
Re: I'm waiting for the Roland BK-7m: Backing Module
[Re: Dnj]
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Registered: 04/25/05
Posts: 14294
Loc: NW Florida
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This is all bringing me back to my KORG M1 synth/Roland RA90 module days....made some great music with that combo. Exactly... I used to run an RA90 with some Ensoniq gear (SQ2, couple of Mirage's, ESQ1) and, for it's time, it was great. I still haven't figured out why modules went away. I'm just glad they are back. Hope it's to stay. You know, if what the Serbian guy said about the BK is true, that's the deal of the century! An E80 quality arranger that plays MP3's (with tempo and pitch adjustment, which I think the E80 doesn't do), a video out for lyric and chord display, Style and Song Cover Tools and Makeup Tools, all for about a grand...? Amazing!
_________________________
An arranger is just a tool. What matters is what you build with it..!
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#315435 - 02/05/11 11:25 PM
Re: I'm waiting for the Roland BK-7m: Backing Module
[Re: Diki]
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Senior Member
Registered: 07/27/05
Posts: 10606
Loc: Cape Breton Island, Canada
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You know, if what the Serbian guy said about the BK is true, that's the deal of the century! An E80 quality arranger that plays MP3's (with tempo and pitch adjustment, which I think the E80 doesn't do), a video out for lyric and chord display, Style and Song Cover Tools and Makeup Tools, all for about a grand...?
Amazing!
Looks like a great rig...I had an RA-50, and later, an RA-90...used them with my old(and heavy) portabilized Yamaha CLP-300 Clavinova. That BK-7m wouldn't be out of place on a Tyros4 either...  Certainly, those with Yamaha P-85 and NP-30 would be able to tap into the BK-7m as well, as they have dedicated MIDI ports, and even though pitch/mod wheels aren't on these instruments (or many other lightweight digital pianos from Roland, Korg etc.) I wonder if the pitch bend/modulation could be controlled by pedals inserted in the BK-7m?  Ian
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Yamaha Tyros4, Yamaha MS-60S Powered Monitors(2), Yamaha CS-01, Yamaha TQ-5, Yamaha PSR-S775.
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#315441 - 02/05/11 11:50 PM
Re: I'm waiting for the Roland BK-7m: Backing Module
[Re: Dnj]
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Registered: 04/25/05
Posts: 14294
Loc: NW Florida
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For some weird reason, Roland don't seem to dig footpedal controlled pitch. Have no idea why. On an arranger, without a chord sequencer, pitch bend levers are almost useless. I've always wondered why the old Mk2 ARP Odyssey idea of two BUTTONS isn't used. I have to say, using a pedal only allows you to bend in one direction, which is a compromise.. A couple of foot switches, giving a bend at a preset speed (programmable for the UPG, say) would do the job quite well.
Especially for accordion players, who have both hands busy just like arranger players, this might be a boon.
To be honest, for an arranger player that already HAS an arranger, and only wants to play arranger, I'm not sure this is the solution. As Don says, more wires, more hooking up, more things to carry, the list is quite big.
But for someone that loves some of the new WS's, but needs true arranger capability TOO, this looks like the tool for the job! And for someone willing to try to run two different arrangers at the same time to expand their sound and style diversity, again, the perfect product. For one guy with one arranger? Not so sure. I think I'd rather have an E60 than an A-33 and a BK-7m (if I was looking for a light 76 setup). Unless MP3's were a big part of your show. And I still have yet to hear an arranger VH that was as good as the newer dedicated units...
Personally, my mind is being blown by the thought of one of these and a Kronos or a MoXF. Best of both worlds, half the weight!
_________________________
An arranger is just a tool. What matters is what you build with it..!
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