I had to call Roland today and ask a question about using the BK7m and was able to speak with the head of Roland Technical Support for Arrangers and Keyboards. He asked me if I was coming to NAMM next week when I asked him if there was anything coming in the future from Roland in arranger products. All he would say to me was "are you coming to NAMM next week?". And then he told me to find him! Does this mean there will be something new? I think a strong maybe! We will know soon enough.

When I would talk to my reps in the past, they would never tell me directly but they would strongly hint at stuff. Like this for example from a few weeks ago... new speakers are coming out at winter NAMM from a big company to compete with another company that has a big chunk of the powered speaker business. All I asked was, "Is their a 10" model?" And the answer was yes!!

Hope the Roland thing is true!! They have been a company to fill niches in the keyboard area... VP series... V-Combo... V-Synth... V-Piano. Why not get back into the arranger business with a BIG BANG!! V-Arranger that blows away the current specs of Tyros and PA?!?

I love the time before winter NAMM.

I'd like to see Roland return to the arranger field...their last few offerings, weren't what a lot of people expected (a TOTL arranger), but they certainly have the resources to produce a very competitive instrument.

If it knocks people's socks off, all the better, because that will send Yamaha and Korg scurrying back to their respective research and development departments, and come out with one to equal or top the Roland.

Competition always benefits us people...the consumers.

Ian

Johnathan,
I think the new powered speakers you are speaking of are from Yamaha. They are introducing a new line of powered speakers with 8", 10" and 12" woofers. I've been told they are priced well and the sound is superb!

You are correct!! I heard the same thing!!

The DSR line is going up in price because of the price of neodymium magnets. The new line will compete really well with the QSC line. Lot's of power and processing built into the box. Can't wait to see the real specs!

The E80, would have been better if it had the 73 key version some of the newer features we find on workstations now, I mean Fantom arranger???? how good would that be????

I agree. May be even an 88 key TOTL with an all new sound engine, of course with the right pricing. Dream on !!

George

Thanks for the heads up.
I don't care what it is but if its got full size keys I want it !!! LOL !!

Can't wait to see it and the new speakers too

yah maybe they can make it smaller then the micro arranger and everybody can go even off like they have been on the micro arranger. LOL

BK7 with keys.....Hmmmm?