There are many happy BK users. They, along with many others, no longer post here.
DonM

They don't post on Roland arranger forum either...must be the ecstasy from BK-7M use...ha ha!

Why anyone would no longer post here on SZ is rather puzzling...this place is the very model of politeness...especially lately.

Ian

Thats pretty cheap Don, sells in the UK for about $4500, I would be looking to buy one at the price in the USA must be cheap because of the Low Voltage. LOL

Tony

The main reason I passed over the BK-7m.....It does not read lyrics embedded in SMF's (or chords)...on the internal screen...If it had...like the version 2 Prelude.....it would have been a great arranger with portability...Since I already own the "Cadilac" (G70)...with all the great features a top Roland gives me...with the exception of a mp3'wave playback option...the BK is not a must have for me...

I ..like Don, like the advantage the G70 allows me...with all in one design..and a very capable all in one arranger....at 46 pounds it answers the bell for me..even against the new stuff...

The "smart" vocalizer, markers, total editing for styles and songs., easy on stage OS..best piano, drawbar organ, drums built into an arranger...makes it "stil the one"...for me...
Everytime I A-B it to something new..it amazes me ..that I already have the better instrument.....FOR ME..

Forgot to mention, I also use a Tascam recorder that sits on the G70 and serves as my MP3 or wave playback...I also have a 250g Archos 7" tablet that sits easily on the G70 that serves as a playback device..

The best option of this type remains my Toshiba 13" laptop..it also can sit on the left side of the G70...

What is strange, is that the BK-7M's shortcomings were posted here on SZ, long before they appeared on other forums, and although many seemed to disagree with the posts (some even leaving a a huff), the shortcomings proved to be true.

The G-70 is a terrific arranger, Fran, in spite of it's aging platform (it still has a great piano sound, and a fine feeling keybed), but manufacturers have moved on with DNC and SA/SA2 voices (and lighter weight instruments) that appeal to the discriminating arranger player, rather than have them employed as a glorified SMF player (with a nice piano sound etc), and quite frankly, the G-70 was literally Roland's greatest and final kick at the arranger tin.

I rank it just below the Tyros2 (and quite far below the Tyros4) and almost on par with the PA3X, but, if it works for you, then you are a lucky man, and have found your Holy Grail (for now).

The BK-7M was not one of Roland's finest efforts by a long shot, and appears to be indicative of their complete lack of interest in making arrangers as good as they used to do in the past.

Ian

BTW..."Cadillac" is not really much of "the standard of quality" anymore...now Lexus is the one against which all others are compared.

BTW..."Cadillac" is not really much of "the standard of quality" anymore...now Lexus is the one against which all others are compared.

The Lexus is the Cambry's brother...even the parts are interchangeable


and yes..I knew I spelled Caddy with one L

I prefer to drive American made cars...a former "motor head"...and muscle car guy..I remember how hard it was to build an 11 second racecar....now a family import can run low 13's....of course I could bring the front wheels off the ground with my big block Chevelle SS...try that with any front wheel drive..

Hi Don,
I liked the BK-7M. The ONLY reason I sold it was because it did not allow users to change the OTS voices and save them. Had it allowed those changes I would have kept it. When I called Roland support they did not have any indication that any software updates were in the near future so off it went.

I am not sure I am going to be a buyer for any more $4000.00 keyboards. Right now I am very happy with my Tyros 4 and will probably keep it well beyond it's useful life. Until other manufactures develop a multitude of additional styles I will stay with Yamaha. For me that is the most important feature - availability of "free" styles.

I have tried Korgs in the past, both the PA1X and the PA2X Pro and did like the styles. Had Korg developed the support for styles that Yamaha enjoys I would have kept both of the Korgs. I believe all the TOTL arrangers are pretty good - but whichever arranger you buy it has to fit into your gigging requirements and for the working pro that is the "ONLY" thing that matters.

Deane

Whatever floats your boat, Fran...by the way, the big Lexus 400-series is not the Camry's brother...you're thinking of the smaller front-drive Lexus.

I too was a "motor head", but during the "malaise" years (mainly the 70's), the American motor industry was "out-motored" by the Japanese, mainly by quality and, of course, economy. I had my share of Camaros, Mustangs, and even had a Hemi 'Cuda...lots of fun as long as it was in a straight line.

Today, having a 400 hp vehicle is mainly bragging rights, as there really is no place to drive these vehicles at or near their full potential except a race track...public roads are either too well watched, or full of potholes.

My last American car was a vintage, original condition, 1949 Cadillac, back when they really were the "standard of the world" and it was a real hoot to drive, but for sheer practicality and, still a lot of fun, I really enjoy driving my front-wheel drive (great in winter) 2002 Honda Accord Special edition...great handling (front and rear sway bars), lots of power (VTEC engine) and it even holds all my gear.

I sold the Caddy a few years ago...sometimes I miss it...but, not enough to get another.

Ian

PS...I suppose we've drifted far enough off topic...hee hee!

Latest info says there will be a big upgrade in January, correcting a couple of omissions and adding some things that users have requested. We'll see!
DonM