They seem impressed

http://www.jazzhooves.com/2011/07/roland-bk7m-review-1010/

Scroll down to the bottom for a brief demo

Enjoy

Bill

Yes, Leigh seemed very impressed, and the demo was absolutely the best I've heard a Roland sound since my old E-70.

It is surprising that several SZ'ers who tried it, were disappointed in it enough to return it....maybe they didn't give it a fighting chance and took it back too hastily?

I think it has far more detail than Roland's G-70/E-80, especially in the styles, and the piano (as in Leigh's demo) is very, very good indeed, so I don't think the sound and styles could have been the reasons some gave up on it.

I'll get to spend some time on one next month, during my Atlantic tour, as several dealers have them in stock.

Thanks Bill.

Ian

A stupid question ?

Ok __ I don`t think any question is stupid , I just don`t have a lot of MIDI experience , so here goes !

Can you use the BK7m like this :

Somehow ( don`t know how ) hook it up to a digital piano and turn it into an Arranger ?

Always played live , never bothered with midi. Years ago I tried hooking up a Yammy X4500 to a PC using the really old Roland MIDI box + MIDI card , but never had much luck with it.
Not sure if it was me or the fact that the X-4500 only had 8 note poly

Anyway , thanks for your help

Gary

In a word, YES, Gary, it can be midi'd to a digital piano (or a controller keyboard) and used exactly like an arranger.

That precisely what Leigh has done in his tests.

I think it sounds wonderful.

Ian

Gary... I control my unit with a Yamaha Motif XS8 - absolutely wonderful. The Motif gives me workstation capabilities, and the Roland turns the Motif into an arranger. Great combo.

I've had mine hooked up to my Fantom G7, VP770, and A70 KB controller.

w/Fantom G7 --- most flexible
w/Roland A70 -- most control
w/VP770 ------- most FUN

Great sounding module, just not a huge fan of Roland styles (because of the kind of music I play - the quality is actually very good within it's genre'). Very easy to use, IMO.

chas

I heard that you can import older E and G series Roland styles and load and play them directly from the BK-7m USB stick?
True?
Do they play the same as the original, and do they load with OTS?

Yes, they will play directly from the usb stick and they sound better than on the original instruments because of the better sound engine. Fran sent me a bunch and they all play perfectly.

chas

Thanks for the link Bill,

DonM seems to be very happy his.

If I hadn't bought the PA3X, I'd probably already have one.

Hi Guy`s ,

Thanks for all your help and reassurance that it would work that way !!

Sounds to me , if you want an arranger with great action and all the settings of one , then this would be a great way to go.

Too bad Frank isn`t a Roland dealer , sounds like the FP-7f and the BK-7m would be a perfect match , especially if your "heavy fingered" and like the action of a piano , but want the versatility of an arranger.

Thanks again , take care !

Gary