Spoke with my roland rep today and he says the BK7M modules were just received by Roland here in the USA. Small amounts will be allocated this week. I'm hopping to get at least 1 or 2 in this initial shipment.

That's great news. Let's hope they're as good as the specs would have us believe.

chas

The BK-7m has several significant features from the TOTL Roland's, and some stuff even THEY didn't have!

First of all is the TWO independent Mastering Tools sections (EQ and compressor) for style/smf section and played Keyboard Parts. So, no longer will one 'duck' the other if it gets too frisky. Then, even MORE importantly, you get the return of the per-Part and per-drum sound 3 band parametric EQ, which was the main thing that made the OS3 G70's sound so much better than the original. Then you now have THREE independent assignable MFX sections, which I believe is one more than even the E80! And the MFX's can be assigned to style/smf or keyboard Parts at will.

For Dennis, the Performance List (the new version of the UPS) can now address 999 Registrations (or Performances, as they now call them), so there's probably a good chance that MIDI can call them up like they used to on the old 144 UPS list.

The Makeup Tools section can now do detail editing of the drum kit sounds just like the E80/60/50 and G70, which was something they dropped from the Prelude and GW-8's Makeup Tool section, which I always thought was a big mistake (maybe they can do an OS update to add them back?). And it has the return of the Cover Tools from those arrangers, which was the fastest, easiest way (in combination with the Makeup Tools for fine tweaking) to radically alter an existing style and turn it into something cool and fresh with little effort.

It also has a pretty powerful MIDI section, with the MIDI SETS feature from the big boys, allowing you to store up to eight totally different MIDI layouts (channels Rx and Tx, zone reception, controller reception, etc.) and associate those with different Performances. And, for those that like life simple, it has a nice dumb 'one controller, one MIDI channel' mode, that maps all the splits and layers and chord recognition zones onto it.

What it is missing is the Harmonizer (which as hardware ones have got SO good lately, might not be a bad thing), the HB organ section and the SMF Mark/Jump ability. Of those, only the Mark/Jump ability is the one I would miss heavily. The rest is very nearly a complete E80, at only a grand!

Bloody incredible! Imagine if Yamaha made a Tyros module at that price! (not going to happen, mind you)... And, maybe Fran's rumor of a 76 Juno cased version of it might actually happen. What a bargain!

I am seriously thinking of getting one of these to put at the business end of my KX-5 keytar, just for fun jamming and the odd guerilla action fast gig where the G70 would not fit! Kudos, Roland...

I haven't researched this much yet, but I'm wondering, since the BK-7M has only midi in and out, and my current Edirol controller only has one midi out, how I'm going to feed the chord signal to both the module and the outboard vocal harmonizer.
I see that there is a mode on the module to redirect the midi in back to a piano-type controller from the midi out so that the sound from the controller can play. I hope it is indeed a facility to make it a pseudo midi thru--in other words pass the chord signal through to the vocal harmonizer.
I also see that Roland has a new 61-note controller that has pads to which you can assign drum sounds. This would allow something similar to multi-pads except they would just play drum sounds when you hit them. That's mostly what I used multi-pads for anyway.
I'm also wondering how it would be to direct the signal from the vocal harmonizer into the aux inputs on the module, thus eliminating the need for an external mixer.
So many possibilities!
DonM

The easiest way is to make/buy a simple midi "Y" connector. I made my own and it works fine. No 'electronics' involved.

chas

I received 1 BK7m module yesterday. I was happy to get one but disappointed it wasn't more. Roland says they received very few in this shipment and more will arrive by the end of April.
I played with it for an hour yesterday. It is easy to set up and start playing. There is a "wizard" mode which automatically sees what you've plugged in and adjusts it's global parameters to work properly from whatever controller you plug in. It can also manually be set up as well.
The user interface is very easy to use and the size of the module is just right. With how big the Ketron modules are this will be of some comfort for many of you that just don't have the room!
The sounds are what I expected. The great Roland Pianos, Electric Pianos and Organs. The Brass, Strings and Woodwinds sound like the E80 and G70 with some new sounds as well. The Guitars are very good but don't have all the dynamic super articulation touchs the Yamaha Tyros and PSRS910 have. That said, they are still very good.
Many of the styles sound right out of the best of Roland's styles in the past but there are many brand new acoustic styles, etc. The 4 intros, endings, variations and one touch settings are all very well done. I only wish Roland would have put some ethnic styles such as middle eastern, etc. as presets. However, I copied from my computer about 2,000 Roland styles I had and they not only played on the BK7m but they played better than on any other Roland arranger I've had in the past. There are more drum kits on this module so perhaps they just mapped better.
I played several smf files and they too played great. It's easy to create folders and call up your songs quickly. I don't think lyrics display on the modules screen but only when you plug the video out to a tv. I didn't find anything in the manual saying different.
Finally, there is an affordable module with good sounds and features on the market. I will explore more about this module this weekend.
There

No lyric readout will be a deal break for many.....
Thanx for the review.

For the price you can't expect it has everything. Sounds like a great addon for my future PA3X

I feel if it plays smf files it should be able to read lyrics also no?..

Why I don't sing

Hi George , thanks for the update .
perhaps you would be kind enough to answer a couple questions for me ?

does it have a good 5/4 style for "take five"

also slow and fast rotary organ sounds and style for such numbers as "whiter shade of pale " Green onions , time is tight ..etc !!

regards ...Giovanni

There could be a Global on/off switch for the lyrics also?......but I'm sure many people will enjoy this new Roland offering , I guess I'll at least try one at Frans Studio next week ....more to come.

I agree Donny

I haven't read the manual, but George mentioned a TV monitor screen. Maybe you could utilize a 7" DVD player or similar. Or Fran could plug it into his Toshiba.

"Soft Thru: Off, Global, Piano

Select “Global” if the
BK-7m should transmit
all MIDI messages it
receives (using its MIDI
OUT socket)."

I found the above in the owners manual. It does have the ability to pass the midi signal through, via the midi out. Good news!
DonM

How about something like this, Donny?

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q...ed=0CFgQ8wIwBA#

Cheap and small...

I called my Roland rep and he said there are no lyrics on it's built in screen. I will check out the styles available for take5, etc. when I have time at my store today. There are lots of organs with leslie simulation on board.

Although I very rarely use lyrics on stage when I perform ....that is a nice display unit for whomever would need it.....just another thing to hook up.

I quess we will have to wait for version 2.....like the Prelude, version 2 added lyrics on the screen...

I am still not sure the rep is right on this...but we will see..

I ordered one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Haier-HLT71-7-Inch-Handheld-LCD/dp/B001E78UQY

If I don't use it with the module, I'll put it in my golf cart and use it for a tv while I wait on that slow group in front of me.
DonM

That's FAR too small a screen for you to even WANT lyrics display on it...

You'd end up squinting the entire show! I like the video outs. Pick whatever you are comfortable with rather than 'one size fits all' (or doesn't fit all!)

or manufacturers could use "wasted KB real estate" and make bigger diplays like on the MS

Has anyone seen Roland's new vocal harmonizer?
http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.php?ProductId=1062
Looks very interesting.
DonM

Listen to the demos--AWFUL!

The people I talked to that tried the Roland VP-7 said it was very artificial sounding...quality is not even close to Yamaha's old arranger harmonizer.

Ian

It's not real inexpensive either. Too bad.
DonM

I am confused again here Donny, you have stated many times in the past that using lyrics is a "crutch", and that you never use them, and yet whenever any new product is announced, amongst your first questions is does it have a lyrics display???

And then you state it's a deal-breaker for you to have no lyrics display when you "RARELY" use lyrics?

Why not just have a small card for the "rare" times you need the words?

Just curious....

The reviews were so bad I decided to go listen to it in person. It totally lived up to it's bad reviews - a real POS. What troubles me is that someone might mistakenly think that this is a module version of the VP-770; nothing could be further from the truth. The VP-770 is not only a different animal, costing over three times as much, but is a true 'best kept secret' used mostly by touring pro's. I got mine as a replacement for my VP-550 (which I also loved) and the improvement is monumental. Next to my C1, it is far and away my favorite instrument. It actually has (a few) usable solo voices (so-so piano, el. pianos, very good muted trumpet, great solo trumpet), plus the best brasses, strings, and choirs in the business. The bad news, it's somewhat overpriced at @ $2k. In any case, stay away from the VP-7; specs sound good, instrument sounds bad. My opinion only, of course.

chas

Thanks Chas!
DonM

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!"

I got my BK-7M on Friday and I can tell you that this module
sounds very good. The userstyles I have for my G70 are played
without a problem and sometimes they sound even better than in
my G70. The One Touch Settings which I made for these user-
styles on the G70 are good on the BK-7M.

I havn't received my BK7m yet, hopefully sometime this week!

Judging from these comments from the Roland V accordion forum, the BK7 is not doing to well.

"I've got it at home now and first impressions are that the sounds are nowhere near as "realistic" as those on the FR7."

"Nevertheless the majority of sounds sound like those when you open a birthday card that plays music..."

"I might buy it.. maybe for $200 bucks... but you got to be stoned at a rave to enjoy the cheap sounds that come out of this box."

"Thanks for the review. You just saved me $800 as I will cancel my order on Monday."

"What do you want for $800?"

Don P

That's too bad. The VP-7 Vocal Harmonizer and now this apparently.

Maybe that's why the demo guy at a recent Roland gathering put it in a corner to collect dust?? He wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole and apparently now we know why. Oh well, next in line please! Hopefully Roland will get their act together soon and start dishing out lower-end (mid-range) products that are not only reasonably priced... they also sound good too. Is that too much to ask? I really don't think so myself but apparently Roland does I guess. Pity.

Roland's redemption may come in the form of its new Jupiter-80 keyboard being released at Musikmesse. 76 keys and while it's considered a "Synth" it also has many many acoustic instruments in it as well.

Roland could have made an outstanding arranger module costing twice as much as a BK-7m and would have still been way ahead of the game as far as beating the competition in an otherwise ultra-high priced arranger module market that Ketron and company dishes out. $2,000 for a superb Roland arranger module vs. $4,000-$5,000 for the ultra expensive Ketron arranger module(s) whose innards could be plated in 24K gold for all we know considering their astronomical prices. They say gold conducts better than copper. But instead, Roland seems to have already given up on this their media/customer panned $800 BK-7m, where even Roland's own demonstrator left it in a corner refusing to allow the public to hear it firsthand... and now we know why. I guess he didn't want to risk being laughed off the stage. And to think I was actually considering getting one too. Boy am I glad I waited.

Hey Fran, if worse comes to worst you (and others) could always ship it back and get your money back. I had high hopes for it too but I try to hold off from purchasing any product sight unseen. Too risky in most cases if you ask me. Case in point... well, you know.

All the best,
Mike

I would base my decisions on buying or not buying products on facts...not opinions..

You guys ignore the very positive opinions and only accept the downers..

My opinion of overall negative..about Yamaha sounds in the PSR..didn't stop people from buying one..

PA800 owners that swear the harmonizer in the Korg is the best..in fact it is on par with the Yamaha harmonizer..My opinion won't persuade anyone to pass over it

My point..wait and draw your own opinion..after you try it..

I recall how some folks say the G70, E80..didn't cut it...fact..they still have better sounds overall ...

Fact or fiction...decide for yourself...

BTW: I am passing over the BK-7m....not because of opinions..and I don't doubt it sounds good (the Roland line all sound good)....I am passing for the reason it interested me in the beginning...I wanted it to read lyrics and chords from the USB drive content (not just the internal as on the Prelude)..I want this data shown on the screen...

Apparently "fact" according to folks with hands on experience...will not show on internal screen...

There are altogether too many hands on reports of the BK-7m comparing it favorably (to the point of 'indistinguishable' from a G70/E80) to Roland's last TOTL arrangers that I'm not that impressed with a bunch of naysayer posts with no history of experience.

What were these guys expecting for under a grand (I'd like to know where they are getting that $800 figure from)..? Personally, if it sounds the SAME as an E80/G70, well, we've ALL heard very good demos of what those can sound like in good hands. And we've all heard how bad they can sound in the wrong ones (just like any other arranger!)

You CAN buy one for $850 or less. $999. is MAP.
DonM

First youtube video of the BK 7m has arrrived

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d55tlN4HmXQ

I think I'm going to be sick. Bring on the musical greeting card.

chas

It should be against the law to show a musical instrument or sound demo using just a camcorder mic to pick up the sound.
It should be a law that ALL camcorders have line inputs.
You could video the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and make them sound bad.
While we're making laws, it should be illegal to make presumptions based on second or third hand hearsay.
Be patient. The real sound will emerge soon enough.
I have enough faith in Roland that I have ordered a BK-7M.

DonM

Don....I'm curious. You always seem to be upgrading and improving on your equipment and I see you as a "player." Is there a reason you're not going with the Ketron arranger module (aside from the cost)?

The Audya 4 is much larger and heavier, and as you mentioned, more expensive. Ketron support and communication from Italy are not great.
I may end up with one anyway though, if the Roland falls short.
The A4 has bigger screen, built in mic processing and vocal harmonizer, etc. Also I'm interested to see what A.J.'s new software package adds.
I like to experiment I guess! It would be much more expensive to experiment with an Audya 4.
I have been very pleased with the lowly Roland E50, and the specs and reviews say this module should be even better.
I am constantly trying to get my setup as light and quick as possible. There are always trade-offs, but I can work just fine with ANY current arranger if need be.
My next experiment could well be Yamaha's successor to the PSR910, maybe late this year.
I like to keep two complete setups both for backup and for those occasions when I have two jobs the same day and don't have time to move everything between them. This happens several times a year.
DonM

I'm not 'sick' about the sound of the module, just about who's allowed to buy and play (demo) one. For the guy that put up that 'demo', I propose a stiff fine, some prison time, followed by probation with an ankle bracelet alarm that goes off any time he comes within 100ft. of a musical instrument..........and I think I'm being very lenient.

chas

PS: Life without parole for a second offense.

I have a badge and gun!
DonM

Make sure it's a head shot.


KIDDING...........................pretty much.


chas

and Don dont forget your Trooper hat in the back seat of your car I saw when I was in Shreveport with ya?

Are we ever going to see a good Demo not professionally done by Roland or whomever, etc, but by someone in their house or whereever in a real playing situation that will showcase lots of styles and sounds as if you personally owned one?

Possibly, but they only became available on a limited basis in the past few days.
DonM

https://picasaweb.google.com/10037626111...802044266636754

Deputy Don!

Now that's Scary !!!!!

next you'll be joing Steven Seagal on this show...

http://www.aetv.com/steven-seagal-lawman/

Be afraid. Be VERY afraid.

DonM

NICE PHOTO, DEPUTY DAWG!

R.

Why are you so interested?? It has no lyrics display.

I think a hair of tolerance needs to populate this forum, especially when it is in regards to user demos. In fairness, we are mostly a forum of aging players and arranger enthusiasts, and few of us have any tolerance for 'dance' music from the 21st century, whether it's played well or not!

Bottom line for me... a G70/E80 equivalent, for less than $900?

Sign me up! Users are reporting tweak-free conversion from E80/G70 styles and registrations, including OTS settings. Plus this little wonder includes the 3 band parametric EQ from the E80/G70 that goes on each and every Part, style, song and keyboard, plus each and every drum sound in the entire kit (and a global one for the whole kit, too), which Don's E50 doesn't have, two independent Mastering sections for style and keyboard parts (which my G70 doesn't have!)...

So far, the only things I see missing is the VK organ, the harmonizer, the Guitar Mode (which sucks) and the Mark/Jump feature.

For $850!

Wait for the demos by players our own age...

My local store is getting one soon, I'll give you a hands on ASAP.

Diki is right, or course. To disparage a posted performance, whether good or bad, would likely have the effect of discouraging members from posting their own performances. I guess I was feeling a little more honest than usual because I didn't think the player was a Synthzone member (although I realize that that shouldn't make a difference). In fact, upon re-listening (after Diki's reprimand ), the performance was not that bad. I was probably responding to the type of music (obviously a subjective thing) which I freely admit, is not my favorite. In fact, aside from maybe Gilbert and Sullivan, it may be the only thing that would make me change channels to the Country Music Awards .

The problem I have with these types of 'demos', is that they only show one single area of an obviously multi-faceted instrument. One song, one style, one voice, one drum kit, one player. If that 'one thing' doesn't happen to be your cup of tea, it could lead to a lot of unjustifiable and undeserved negatives about the machine. Sorry for the intolerance.

So Don, maybe you could just wound him .

chas

Yeah, what Chas said. We stand properly chastised.
Maybe I'll just shoot his camera so he can't do it again.
DonM

This and your C1 is going to be a hell of a combo, chas...

BTW, wasn't really trying to chastise, but after the pretty polarized posts on the PA3X threads, perhaps it might be best to not spread that problem any wider than it already is!

There's bad music, then there's bad musicians, and sometimes there's bad musicians playing bad music! And, doesn't it always seem that, whatever we MOST want to listen to, that last category is the one who will provide the web demo..!

interested doesnt mean purchase mate.

Here's a tidbit for Dennis... it appears that the Performances CAN be called up by MIDI. All 999 of them!

p.90 of the BK-7m_OM.pdf available from Roland

Ooh cool thanks Diki....yes that is a BIG plus

Dennis

Okay cool...I was just curious as you seem to disparage anyone who uses lyrics, but whenever these units are released with no lyrics read, you say it's a deal breaker for you...

I found it an interesting paradox.

To me on stage if you head is down reading lyrics you ain't looking at the audience..... but hey to each his own.

I must admit, I am in accord with Dennis here... if you don't USE a certain feature, why is its omission so important?

Personally, I think the BK gets lyric display just right. For one thing, the display is too small. Yes, you WOULD be squinting just to read it. And then, the very nature of modules means REMOTE operation, whether from a MIDI accordion, guitar, or even another keyboard. So, you are unlikely to have the module somewhere where, even if it DID have a bigger display, you could read it.

But the video outs gives you the opportunity to drive a monitor of your choice (just how big do you NEED it? Well, that's the size it can be!), placed exactly where YOU want to put it, either just for your eyes, or as a big karaoke screen for the audience to sing along, or both. The whole POINT of a module is flexibility. This, IMO is more flexible that having them on that small screen...

But hey! What do you care? You NEVER use lyric displays, anyway, do you?

No I don't...actually only in rare cases I'd bring lyrics up on my laptop, ....my inquiries were mostly for my buddy Fran who considers this a very important feature for his needs...doesn't change my views that if you sing in public you should make eye contact.
that said...enjoy your day I'm off to the movies.

Yes!!! Lyric and chord read on the internal screen..are very important to me....Chord extraction helps me to comp over any midi file...and lyrics for my tunes..a must...I will still have eye contact (especially pretty ladies)

The lack of read on the screen..I have zero interest in the BK-7m now...I wanted te BK to replace the Prelude in my band..allowing me to use a 76 key controller...My interest peaked in the larger capabilitie of storage..and my hope to read all the lyrics and chord extractions...

The Prelude is limited to internal memory..200 songs max...reading lyrics..


I agree with DonM..about the sounds of Roland....I have been using the Korg PA800 with the band ..next to the Prelude...and it amazes me...how much better the Prelude sounds over the Korg....and comparing to the G70 is no contest..

I have no reservations about the sound quality on the BK-7m..I am sure it will be on par...

BTW: Sweetwater just called me and said the BK is ready to ship to me....but I cancelled..

PS: Maybe version 2 will make it right..

But one good piano is all you need!

A little EQ, and that one good one covers 99% of all I need. I just use a spikier, more brittle one for reggae 'chinks', and that's it...

I am surprised at Fran, though. How on EARTH can you read lyrics off a tiny screen like the BK and Prelude on a gig? You'd have to squint down pretty close, wouldn't you..?

The G70, sure, that's JUST about as small as you can go (so you can sit and play normally, and not look like you are reading something off the screen), IMO. But that little display on the GW/Prelude/BK?

I'd rather use a bigger screen and place it where I can see it without hunching over. TBH.

Diki,the screen on the Prelude is much larger than the GW-8..in fact the lyrics are larger than on the G70...and yes , even if they are small..I still have good eyes...I want lyric read on the screen..

WOW!!!!! so much for "private messaging"

Dennis , I never mentioned the styles..I actually like many of the Korg styles..in fact I have used a lot of the PAx styles for a couple years on my G70 and Prelude..

The comparison was sounds...Most of the other musicians in the audience have mentioned the difference....mostly sequence playback..but also MP3 playback..I am wondering if the PA800 has different audio outputs than the PA2x...or is the PA2x also not up to par...

As for sounds ..the GS way of sampling (pulse code modulation) has been a proven winner..Just compare the choirs , oohs, ahhs, scats, with other methods of sampling...Fantom, Motif, M3 or the PAx boards....they don't come close to G70/E80...

As for sequencing power...I think the outdated G70 is hard to beat....I do not care for the current Korg sequencers...they seem to have too many quirks..I will explain another time...and another post..

We all have our own opinions...what is most important in my world..."my opinion"..

Ummm, I will certainly be VERY careful who I 'PM' in the future. I would hate to think that someone would divulge the contents of a private communication in an effort to embarras me. But hey, what does a 'jerk' know.

chas

I am anxiously awaiting review & demo of the new Roland arranger module...
I am interested.

I heard that you can load all previous Roland dance styles (*STL?) into the BK7M, though the instruments will probably not match up. Anyone know anything about this?

Roland's have ALWAYS been backwards compatible... and the instruments ought to be CLOSE, at least. Thing is, with so many new and great sounds in a BK compared to much older gear (especially synth sounds), you will want to replace those dated kits and sounds with the newer ones...

And this is where Roland's SHINE.

The tools to easily replace sounds, effects, tweak velocity levels on everything from just a single drum in a kit to an entire style are the best in the business. They are so easy, in fact, that you WILL find yourself doing it, whereas most other manufacturers make this such a chore, few even bother, much.

My local dealer just called. My module has arrived. I will either pick it up this evening or in the morning. I have to be at work at 6:30 and the store is on the other side of town, about 27 miles from me. I plan to take a little nap, leave the house at 5:30, be at the store by 6:00 and be at work at 6:30.
It will be tomorrow before I can hook up the BK-7m.
DonM

Come on Don!!!!!!!!!! It's after 10 am...so...what do you think?

hey Don...good luck with the new Bk7m module......we all await your review and of course maybe a few short demo style demos also.....are you gonna us a controller Kb or the E50 to use it?......this is exciting.

I plugged some headphones into it about midnight last night and listened to most of the styles. They sound really good. Their are quite a few new ones and the old ones seem to sound better than the E50. Hard to tell with headphones though.
I just woke up today. I will probably get back to it in a little while.
I have an Edirol PCR-800 I will hook up to it.
Next step will be to listen to the sounds.
It is a beautiful day and supposed to be 80 degrees so it will be had to stay off the golf course.
Later!
DonM

Oh come on DomM, you can give up one day of golf for your SZ buds! We gotta know, is the BK-7m a "hit or miss?"

BTW, mine is on its way from Minnesota, should get it Saturday.
Don P

Sounds good Don.....awaiting your next post!

My local dealer just gave me the first one they got in to test out for a few days (used to work there, so they use me as a guinea pig on quite a bit of new gear), and I have it set up next to my backup G70. I'm swamped with gigs at the moment (finally!) so I have little time for the next couple of days, but I guarantee I will be putting some VERY critical ears on the sound quality compared to the G70.

So far, first impressions are very good, with the usual caveat of the OOTB mixes being a bit light on the drums. I just went through a bunch of styles and listened...

Part volume changes are not quick to get to, so I would probably recommend this puppy be played with a controller with some sliders to set up for the important Parts (keyboard, and Drums, Bass channels in style mode). It has a VERY handy 'Track Mute' button on the front panel that mutes whatever channels you want instantly off (default is set to all off other than bass and drums) which is very cool...

Panel layout seems logical, for such a small and light unit. No, you aren't going to get knobs and sliders galore, but that ain't what this is about. Cursory first impressions are quite good. There's a lot of MUCH better Guitar parts in some of the styles, dare I say it, not too far off some Mega voice stuff. I always said there's nothing wrong intrinsically with the samples themselves, just that Roland's programmers have dropped down a level compared to Yamaha in the recent past. Hopefully, this thing is a sign that they are getting their act back together.

More to come.

I agree with everything Diki has said so far. It will be necessary to program quite a few buttons or sliders to facilitate quick control to some of the functions for which the controls in menus.
The pianos are much better than E50. There are some great OTS sound settings. I found a really great Pedal Steel setting.
Jury is still out on the new Natural Trombone and Natural Sax.
They are like Yamaha Mega voices. The mod wheel adds natural nuances.
I can see putting in lots of time to customize the module to my needs, but it appears that can be done. I will have to brush up on programming the midi commands.
I'm looking for a way to globally change and save some parameters such as split point. I'm sure it's there, but right now it keeps defaulting to C3 every time I call up a OTS or Style. There was no fix on the E50 except a computer program.
I'll have to check that out.
Overall, after just playing styles with OTS settings for a couple of hours, I'm very pleased.
It seems to me that it sounds at least as good as my E80 did.
DonM

Thanx Don that's all I needed to know .....enjoy your new toy and good luck with it.

Don,
there is a global way to change split point. Go into performance edit page, go to split point and change it to whatever you want. Then go all the way to the bottom of the performance edit selections and you will see "save as default". When you say yes your new split point will be called up if you turn off the BK7m and turn it on again.

AAAH-HAAAA! Thanks George, I was missing the Save As Default screen.
The more I play with this thing, the more I like it.
Ain't George great for helping even though I haven't bought anything from him in several years!
BTW, I did try to get this thing from him but I got impatient and found one I could get right away.
DonM

Never heard the E80,but being it was the TOTL, I'm getting interested as an add on to the Tyros 2 (or 4 coming up). Wondering how I could make best use of it in conjunction with the other keyboard. Any ideas on that?

I like to use my eight Registration Memory buttons. Is there something similar on the bk7m?

So far, Roland haven't published a Parameter List for this thing, so programming sys-ex strings and controller changes for many of the internal workings is hard to figure out. Hopefully, this will be rectified soon.

I am auditioning the drums and their patterns alone at the moment (any arranger lives or dies on these, as far as I am concerned), and I have to say, two thumbs up! Very punchy, very dynamic, very good use of fills and variations. Defaults are a HAIR more reverb than I like, but I like pretty dry, and let the room itself color the drums (just like they do a real drummer) so I imagine most others will be happy.

You know, I hate to say this, but I prefer some of the kits in here (or at least the way the style programmer has used them) to my G70. 57 drum kits, for Pete's sake! Makeup Tools makes them a piece of cake to change (mind you, I am starting to realize how spoiled a good touch screen makes you... I can zip around a fair bit faster with the G70's screen).

More to come...

There are now more videos available on youtube of the BK 7m and I must say I am really impressed with this little module.

And a few others

It actually sounds better in person.
I played with it with headphones most of the day, but about an hour ago I hooked up two Podium 8-inch powered speakers, one on each side pointing back at me.
Wow, what a great sound! I almost forgot I had those speakers. Had to blow the dust off them. I actually have three of 'em, but one is still in the box unopened. I don't remember how or why I got three. Maybe I thought I'd need it for a monitor or to replace one if I had to throw it away. . .
Anyway, the BK sounds better with speakers than it does on phones. I'm not even using a mixer, just straight out of the module to speakers left and right.
I hooked the Roland FC7 foot controller up and it works great with it.
I want to figure out how to call up some sounds directly from the controller. It's not quick to change lead instruments in real time, unless you have them saved to OTS.
I could quickly call up all the voices I used from my Midjay. I'm sure there's a way to do the same thing here.
As Diki said, the button that mutes style parts is really neat. It is preset to mute everything but bass and drums. I assigned it to a switch on the FC7. I also assigned Break/Mute, Fade-out, and the four Style variations. I can use sustain from the controller foot switch and still have a foot switch input on the module itself. I will also have a foot switch for my Harmony M vocal harmonizer, so I may need to grow a couple of more feet.
Next step is to go out and get the memory card from my E50, copy everything I need to a thumb drive and see how that works.
I will try to record a few things later.
DonM

Wow !!! Not too shabby sound

Actually, I believe it has a better sound than the G-70...of course, it's a while since I've the latter, but the styles on the BK-7m sound more detailed to my ears.

Looking forward to more demos.

One of these things would be terrific on a Yamaha P-85/95 piano (only 25 lbs), or an NP-30 (only 12 lbs) if 76 notes is your preference.

Ian

You also interested in the BK 7M Ian? It's a nice addon on your Tyros 4

Actually, it would make a nice addition to a Yamaha P-95 or NP-30 piano, since they both have midi, and both are very portable.

My new Tyros4 is still amazing me...I almost bought the S910 before I sold it off as a demo...I'm glad I waited and tried the Tyros4. It sounded incredible right out of the box, and now I've started to customize the styles and set up registrations...plus, I've ordered an expression pedal (FC-7) to better control the awesome new organ sounds.

Using a BK-7m with the Tyros4 would just make things too complicated, and it really wouldn't add anything, in my opinion, but it would be a perfect addition to any digital piano...with an NP-30 (or even a P-95) it would weigh a great deal less than a big old G-70, and, if it sounds as good in person, as it does in the demos, it just might sound better too. The styles sound very nicely detailed and separated.

I used their arranger modules in the past (RA-50, RA-90/95) and this one looks like another winner to me.

Ian

From what I've heard so far, I don't think I can say it sounds BETTER than my G70, although in the drum department there is more choice. But I t5hink we are finally seeing Roland fine tune the style programming to something acceptable OOTB, which the last few arrangers weren't, in all honesty. And the use of the extra ruff and flam samples is better utilized. It's not so much that the G70 didn't have them, it's just that not too many styles were written that used them, IMO.

I only wish I had got this a couple of weeks ago, as I had a ton of time to kill. Last week, I couldn't BUY a gig! This week, I can't buy a day off... Typical seaside town, I suppose!

One use of the BK that really intrigues me is as a back end to my KX-5 keytar. It can't call up anything on the BK (old Yamaha gear only sent the first 64 MIDI PC#'s and no CC00/32 at all), but the Performance list can be set to FC-7 switches (up/down) and OTS can call up all the patches I would need. I mean, just for jamming with bands, it looks doable, and as a front end to a sequenced, MP3's and limited arranger use gig, I might be able to put something together entirely driven from the KX-5! That might be neat...

I've been using an old M-GS64 module for the KX-5 for donkey's years, and it really needs something a bit more modern. This might be the poo!

And, don't dismiss this so lightly Ian... even with the T4, this thing might add back the punchy drums that only the new kits provide. Just in case you get a more up front gig...

The more I play this, the more I'm impressed. Most of an E80, with better balanced and programmed styles, at a quarter of the price. Not too shabby!

Hello everyone. I am Sweentech.. the guy uploading all the videos... though now with a bullet in my head! Wow... that hurts!

For your information, i saw this at the NAMM show in Anaheim in January and preordered one as soon as I got back to the UK. I love it. It is very simple to operate, and does do bossanovas etc. I didn't want my first few videos to have that kind of music though because I wanted to show what the BK-7m does which is a bit different. Every arranger worth its salt can be used to play 'in the mood' just like the BK-7m. But we all know this. Unfortunately I wasn't a member here before.... I have been trying to join since the weekend to discuss this module with you since you have all found my videos. I found this site through the referral data from my videos. These are the first videos I have ever put on YouTube.

I also own a G70 and have owned over the years EM2000, G1000, VA7, VA76 etc so have a bit of history with Roland arrangers. In my store, we have tyros 4 which is a good keyboard. To me though for £3500 it is very plasticy and doesn't look like it is worth that much. The styles are very well programmed. I know Martin Harris who is in charge of the content in it, and I know how he goes about programming them with his team. However, for me they are too complicated and over-fussy. I often spend time muting parts of the style just so I can have something to play. Even with the BK-7m I still mute a few parts here and there. The make-up tools are still unique, with the variety of change they offer you... paticularly the user assignable effects in the styles (up to 3 at once) and individual part EQ (right down to individual drum instrument sounds). I also like that I can get into the basic envelope and filter parameters on any sound. This is not just usable for 'dance' music, but also in some of the classical stuff I do. Changing the attack rate and release on a string patch can really help you play a lovely legato style.

Anyway as you can see, I have used this module to refresh my aging Yamaha HX-1. Having 2 x 61 note keyboards and a 25 note pedal board, all with initial and after touch makes this a great midi controller, but the sounds are hopeless nowadays. However I have owned one for 20 odd years and wont part with it. I had been using my Sonic Cell with it, but find the flexibilty of the BK-7m and instantaneousness of it far more appealling. I would recommend it to anyone. It only weighs 1.7kgs for heavens sake! I'm not sure about the US, but here in the UK I get a free 3 year warranty from Roland too.

It would work well with a NP30 or P95, butIi would caution anyone using one with an NP30 as I don't think it's build quality is up to much. It feels very flimsy to me. Just my opinion though.

Of course there is no proof like tasting the pudding itself so why don't you go to your local dealer and experience this for yourself. I don't think you will regret trying it at least!

Regards

Sweentech

As I said already, Diki, I don't need the complications of running two arrangers, especially when I have one as powerful as the Tyros4.

I'm supposing you haven't played a Tyros4 yet?

The drums are plenty punchy...remember, there are new kits in the T4 that aren't in other Tyros models.

Where I see the value of the BK-7m is with a digital piano, especially the lighter models with dedicated midi (P-95/NP-30)...it still doesn't address the fact that the BK-7m will not play Yamaha styles, and perhaps this will make a big difference to most of my clients. I also believe it should work just peachy with the Roland FP-series.

Listening to the BK-7m, I can hear more detail in the parts playing...more so than I hear in on-line recordings of the G-70/E-80...could be an EQ thing, maybe, but if the BK-7m has EQ for each part (and I believe it does) then the factory has done a great job in the out-of-the-box setup.

The local Long&McQuade music store is bringing one in when available, so I'll try one out on a P-95 to see if it's worth recommending.

Ian