FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact:
Rebecca Eaddy
Marketing Communications Manager
Roland Corporation U.S.
(323) 890-3718
Rebecca.Eaddy@RolandUS.com

ROLAND RELEASES FIRST BACKING KEYBOARD
BK-5 Offers New Range of Keyboard Applications
Los Angeles, CA, January 19, 2012 — Roland is proud to announce the release of
its very first backing keyboard, the BK-5, the latest in a series of Roland musical
instruments with intelligent backing-track technology. Hundreds of great music,
rhythms, and tones from around the world are available at the touch of a button. With
exceptional sound quality, a comfortable user interface, and seemingly endless
accompaniment possibilities, the new BK-5 is perfect for one-man bands, hobbyists,
beginners, and professional entertainers.
The distinguished sound and music rhythm quality of the new BK-5 is derived from
the BK-7m, Roland’s world-class “band in a briefcase” backing module. Song and
rhythm makeup tools for standard MIDI files and rhythms are also offered along with
a second drum track for rhythms and SMF.
Music assistants and rhythms included in the new BK-5 backing keyboard cover a
variety of musical genres and are compatible with BK-7m/E-series/G-series/V-series.
Other features include 128 polyphony, over 1150 sounds, 60 drum kits, song
playback, recorder, rhythm composer, video output, and audio input.
USB memory allows for easy audio recording and hosts an embedded rhythm
composer lending to both performance and training applications. Backing music
(rhythm, SMF, MP3, WAV) can be pulled directly from USB memory as well.
Audio in and video out make it possible for a wide range of performance and
entertainment options. Video out also lets the performer enjoy SMF/MP3 lyrics with
friends or the audience on an external screen.
The BK-5 will be available in February 2012. MSRP on the BK-5 is $1,199. For more
information, visit www.RolandConnect.com.
---------
About Roland

There is a picture of the new BK-5 on this page.

http://en.audiofanzine.com/keyboard-arranger/roland/bk-5/news/a.play,n.12523.html


Looks pretty darn cool...and it has 61 normal sized keys!

Bravo,

Ian

You got the scoop!

Backing keyboard is an ingenious descriptive term. They will sell some to non-arranger players because of that.

Hmmm... I saw the pic on the page Ian posted... very uncluttered layout, BUT, not a whole lot of buttons to help you get around easily. That must be a touchscreen.

The writeup doesn't mention speakers but it has them.

If that is a touch screen, it looks a bit on the small side. Depends on how cluttered or uncluttered it is, I suppose. Not very conducive to jabbing a quick finger, as is often required.

http://www.namm.org/files/presskits/WN12/RolandNAMM2012VirtualPressKit.pdf

This is the rest of the Roland news. Obviously no new TOTL arranger or Workstation.

Tough the AT900 top of the line organ got a platinum update.

No surprise there Fran told me about this months ago..

Roland made a great move with this offering of the module & keyboard & will sell thousands of these units we already know it sounds very good as BK7m users love it... can't wait to get my hands on one soon.

It seems like an affordable quality backing instrument. From the image, it doesn`t look like a touchscreen display. From the design, it looks like Roland have a Microarranger competitor here. They could have squeezed the vocal harmony in there too. Eager to know what they have to offer for the higher end arrangers. Any news about other new arrangers ?

At only 1199.00 or so everyone will have one ...lol




Heres an idea of the styles...probably be the same on the BK5 also..

The street price would be even lesser.. those considering a micro would think about this one as well.
Seriously, I think its a good deal looking at the info available now. But then, by the time its availble for a try out in this part of the world(India) it could be another six months which would be enough time for Yamaha to launch their new arrangers and the decision cycle continues !!!

Roland had a good package with the Prelude and the BK-5 seems to follow in that stream. I doubt they have plans to go bigger or better. $999 will catch a lot buyers, so there will be no need to make a TOTL for the meager $4000 crowd. Unfortunately, I believe their is a $2000 market out there for a Roland with vocal harmony and a few more live buttons. My s910 is still the best under $2000 keyboard out there. The $499 KMA is a different board altogether. I'm sure I'm prejudiced, but I see MOTL $2000+/- as the sweet spot in the marketplace.

Here's are screenshots of the BK-5:

I want one !!

Rumor has it a 76 key model will be released also...

I will be there as a guest of Roland so I will report to all about this unit.

I can't see on-board vocal harmony being a big deal for this one...most people are using outboard processors.

If this instrument sounds as good as the BK-7M (and it should), it will have a much better sound than the TOTL G-70, in my opinion..I know DonM and a few others were very impressed with the BK-7M's styles and voices. They were sayin' E-80 quality.

A 76-note possibility?

Maybe, but I have my doubts...the idea is to keep the footprint of these backing instruments as small as possible...they aren't for piano players, but for the singer/keyboardist/guitarist looking for something to use on stage. Small is good in this situation.

This sure looks a far better deal than the Korg microArranger, even though it's price is a bit higher. It also looks far more professional.

It will be interesting to see who switches over...I have a feeling a certain fella from New Jersey might make the move...

Ian

Did Fran tell you this?

Here's a video overview of the BK-5 on Youtube

Please ask about the 76 key version. I wantone of these but 76 keys would make it even better. right on about vocal processing onboard. I think it would add too much cost to the instrument and most people prefer outboard units anyway

thanks

BTW Fran hit this one on the mark so he and his crystal ball will be providing lottery numbers in the future for a small fee !!

Even with 76 keys this will just be an upgraded boystoy.

Did you see and hear the all new AT900 platinum edition organ? Now thats something i would love to see in a portable version.

BK5

I can't see that it adds anything to the BK7m except keys. Still no vocal processing and there is a need for an external screen.
Probably still no Break/fill either.
I would probably prefer the BK7m to this.
Right now I prefer the Korg. Tomorrow, who knows?
DonM

Does the BK-7M and/or BK-5 have an onboard midi sequencer?

I didn't see it in the specs?

Ian

The 7 doesn't, just an audio recorder. I never use midi sequencers on board, so it doesn't affect me, but it might others.
DonM

That is a strange omission, DonM...I didn't know about that until now...I figured the BK-7M had a sequencer on board...and now the BK-5 is without as well.

On my T4, I use the midi sequencer more often, as it allows me some limited editing...still handier is being able to do multi-track recording.

I don't think I could do without a sequencer on board, but many will not miss it, if they are using PC based sequencers.

Ian

Just got pricing from Roland on all their new products.
The BK5 will have a retail price of $1,199.00 and a MAP price of $999.00.

Great news George, thanx for the info.. I figured as much Roland will sell a ton of these. PLus it will play mostly all styles from previous Roland units too, G70, E80, G1000, etc,..

And, after hearing the BK-7M that it is based on, it will sound quite a bit better than those older arrangers as well.

A very nice keyboard indeed (much more playable than the microArranger, in my opinion), and well worth the asking price (even without a sequencer).

I like the look...very pro, even with speakers, although the screen could be bigger for stage use.

Ian

Well...

As U know I have the Prelude , and so far so great

Although this new Roland may have it`s good points like video out and USB up-front ( very good idea ) , we still don`t know what the speakers will sound like ( those are speakers right ? )

So all - in all , I don`t think this can beat out the Prelude , IMO !!

Later

Gary

Gary, do the Prelude and the BK-7M use identical tone generators?

I was almost certain the latter is using something newer, as it does sound significantly better than an E-80 or G-70, but I could be wrong.

I have played the Prelude, and it was very nice instrument for sure, but the BK-7M sounds a little richer to my ears.

Ian

[Later added] Gary (or anyone), does the Prelude have a midi sequencer?

Can it use styles directly from the other series like G-70/E-80/G-1000 etc.?

George,
Do you know if the OS is the exact same as the BK-7M? I sold my BK-7M because it did NOT allow users to change the OTS voices and them save them for future use. I wonder if the new keyboard is the same?

Deane

Deane good question..I guess will have to wait till someone get it in the stores to go thru it and report to us on features.

Wow,
thanks for that Don.
That has unfortunately put me off buying one. It was sort of there on my wish list.
I think you may have mentioned it to me before, but it didn't totally sink in at the time..

If you are like me, Rikki, having an on-board midi sequencer is great for those moments of inspiration that can be captured with just one button push...and also be able to go back and add additional tracks or change the sounds.

Ian

Hi Ian,

"I WISH ". haahaa

no, unfortunately for me it's as simple as wanting to be able to record an onboard style as a midifile should I ever want to convert any for my korg.
Also I was going to use it with my clp clavinova which is in a different part of the house to my keyboard setup.

Bill you never know what Roland has in the wings regarding a 76 key model....hope to hear more demos soon. Voc processor/ VH units are better off separate units anyway IMO...Roland did the right thing with this new offering...

I would also like to know where the TRANSPOSE button is on the module or the keyboard I don't see it? I hope you dont have to go into the menu to change key?
Also why does the Transpose only go to -6 / +5... ?
This & the user OTS is imperative for live performance.

The Prelude has a 16 track sequencer...

Thanks Fran...I thought it did have a sequencer, but I wasn't quite sure(I suppose I could have looked up the specs).

What is surprising, at least to me anyway, is the omission of a midi sequencer on the BK-5.

Were they that concerned with cutting costs?

It is a shame, because the BK-5 sounds far better than the Prelude, to my ears.

Ian

Beats me..if a keyboard is going to be my primary keyboard..it has to have an on board sequencer....My G1000, and G70...were/are my go to sequencers...I am one of the folks that prefer the on board sequencers over the PC stuff..

The BK sound source is the same sound engine as the G70 and E80 (so called, or referred to as the SC engine)..It is easy to determine the sound engine...If it has "scat" or good "choirs"..it is the SC engine...No comparison to me ...the Fantom engine(XV) sucks compared to the SC...

I think the Sonic Cell, Juno G, Juno Stage, Prelude sound engine is a hybrid of the XV and SC........the G , E and BK are far superior..but differences can also be the samples used in each instrument more than just the sound engine..as I have mentioned before..an example the G70/E80 sample sounds, compared to the E50/60...side by side tells all you need to know (hear)..

Here is a link to the owner's manual.
http://www.roland.com/support/article/?q=manuals&p=BK-5

If the OS has changed from the BK-7M I could be real interested in this one.
Hope George or someone at NAMM can find out.

Deane

With a PC sequencer, you have to set it up and thereby lose time...inspiration waits for nobody. On-board sequencer...one button press, and you're good to go.

Also, if the BK-5 is to be used as a backing keyboard, surely the user is going to want to use those great styles and sounds to make their own SMF and thereby give their performance their own personal touch.

I am very impressed with the BK-5/BK-7M sound and styles, but it is omissions like a simple midi sequencer that make me wonder who was leading the design department.

Donny mentioned there were no transpose buttons on the panel...why would they put such an often used function in a menu?

They win on the swings and lose on the roundabouts.

Ian

PS...We can also bet that the G-70 is a far better built instrument than the BK-5 (or any other Roland arranger, for that matter), and it would have a much more robust and better feeling action, but it's this obsession with lightness and smaller size (witness the microArranger) that have manufacturers going a bit overboard, in my opinion.

I have now learned that the KEY Button acts as the transpose feature...but it is still a two or 3 step process....NOT very practical for live play & split second changes....
IMO it should have +/- on deck....even the KMA has that!
I will hold off further judgement until I hear & see more ...
My main concern is how it Sounds.

Another reason I would prefer the module. Transpose can be easily assign to a controller button, same as many other features.
Again, I rarely use transpose, but if I do, it's before I start a song, so no big deal.
DonM

Checking the manual, it appears that there is no connection for the FC-7 footswitch. I can't believe it! Lets me out.
Don P

Thanx for the info Don....wow I wonder what their thinking was on that omission.

I`m almost positive that the BK-7M and the new BK-5 , use a much newer sound set than the Prelude.

The only really great sounds are the organs and synth and a couple of pianos sounds are useable.

For the most part the sounds and styles on the Prelude need way more tweaking than Yamaha.

I think the reason I like my Prelude is for the organ sounds , IMO , they are better than the Tyros 3 I had.

I mean no tweaking necessary good !! , The T-3 had good organ sounds don`t get me wrong , I guess just different !
The Prelude organ sound are more realistic or I`m tone deaf !! LOL

In the end it is just a matter of taste and personal preference.

Later

Gary

Roland BK 5 Demo NAMM

Sounds Horrible!!! Yikes!

Maybe that was a handheld amateur camcorder video?
I'd still like to hear it done by a pro demonstrator.

unfortunate demonstration

Dear God!! That sounds pretty awful!!

I'm still waiting for the new Yamaha PSR S950.........God knows how long I'll have to wait though!!

Yep...that wasn't a demo Roland would be proud of...I'm sure the BK-5 sounds a heck of a lot better than what was heard in that obviously amateur video.

Ian

Just get the Prelude

I remember the Pa3x having very dismal opening demos when it was offered....but that turned out to be wrong as we all know it sounds really good now..so maybe the same thing is happening here with this demo? I hope so.....
at this point the Yamaha Psr650 sounds so much better.

Am I the only one who thinks this, but is there that big a shortage of arranger players who can pull off a decent demo of these new instruments?

Yes, Yamaha is lucky with Peter, Martin, Glynn and Michele, but surely there are other arranger players available with enough talent to demo the Korgs and the Rolands without making these great instruments sound second rate.

Ian

I agree.....its rediculous to showoff for the first time a companies product with someone who has no clue how to demonstrate it....I don't get it?
First impressions are everything. I was actually thinking of buying one....but after seeing this I'm not so sure now..

My thoughts . . .
I suspect, its not only the camera phone video, but
that we're merely hearing the BK-5 thru its built in speakers.
I will reserve my judgement about the sound until I hear a demo
digitally recorded directly from the keyboards audio outputs,
as this is the same negative press the TOTL Korg PA3X
got when only heard thru its optional & rather pricy auxlllary speakers,
Considering that fact, "relatively speaking" of course,
the BK-5's built in ones don't really sound so terrible.

Scott

I hope your right Scott.....meanwhile I'm lovin the KMA also as you & Fran are too...definitely one of the best arranger deals on the market!!

FWIW, I'm pretty certain that video sound is down to two things.

One, as already mentioned, it's a camera phone, and

Two, there's probably no tweaking been done on that keyboard - no matter how good any keyboard sounds OOTB, they all benefit from some amount of tweaking.

Plus, while I can see the intent of demonstrating it using its own speakers is to attract the 'home buyer' - I hate that term - anyone who would be using it on stage most probably wouldn't be relying on its built-in speakers, anyway.

Roland has been making quality gear for long enough that I can't believe they'd put out anything that initially sounds as substandard as that.

Scott, I too feel that it doesn't sound all that bad. The drum and bass was really good to my amateur ears. I found another demo showcasing some balkan sounds .. I think :
Bk-5 demo
But one thing they should have added is a full blown sequencer; that would really distinguish it from the bk-7m feature wise. This will help in selling both the 7m and the 5 of course to different user segments. Bk 7m is a lot of value for money especially for those wanting to play right out of the box(quite literally without the need for sequencing.
Won't be surprised if a Bk-9 (76 key) totl comes up some time later this year.

Hi Jez, thanks for that Bk-5 song link.
While on the Sound Cloud link you gave,
I found another tune, recorded on the BK7M by the same artist.
Equally Impressive vocal & keyboard performance and Roland sound of the
Classic Jim Morrison and the Doors tune:
Riders On The Storm

btw: I'm a big fan of Sound Cloud for disovering new artists and sharing music.
I have it installed both on my desktop as well as here on my iPad.

Cool ! Thanks.

Just so you all know I was there today to see the Bk5 and saw that demo live much better live then in that video , i thought it was empressive for the price it has a new piano 2 section the tracks your playing just like you would be playing a piano and arranger funchions and tracks right along even complex chords this is very good , sounds pretty good it sounded a little thin opn some patches I spent about a hour with the keyboard the keys are not full sized but much larger then mini over all it was pretty cool not I have to have one kool but I could see using it I felt as a playable keyboard much better then mini , the screen display small no touch screen at all , I was still stinging from the 35.00 parking fee I had to pay crazy I have never seen so many people at a Namm before , I think Roland has a good un it for the Price my ears say the sounds on the mini and the Bk5 seem to be thined out a bit not the thickness I am used to hearing seem to be a trend , not new sounds in the Bk5 that arnt in the bk7 mod it does track a padel board very well pk-6 unit for the price I feel much better then the mini it feel more like a keyboard and not a toy read up on piano 2 func it is pretty cool.

I can post some songs I did on BK7m if that will help anyone.
DonM

Don, That will be great !!
Thanks in Advance.

Nice .... I loved the doors since I was a kid......when I was a kid with my rock band our opening song was "Hello I Love You"
great stuff......whoever did this did a very good job.

Don
After reading that the BK5 doesn't have full size keys I'm back to the idea of the Casio PX3 and BK7m duo. Love to hear some of your stuff. Please post or send to me direct. No music stores carry this stuff so you have to shoot in the dark when buying.
Appreciate you sharing
Thanks

Hello People
Just Curious, a few questions:
1. Does the BK-7m sounds better (sounds and styles) than the GW-8 and Prelude?
2. As far as I know, in BK-7m you can´t create/edit styles, or Am I wrong?
3. Can BK-7m read G-70 Styles?
4. Do anybody knows which is max measure length in styles (BK-5, GW-8 or G-70)?

Thanks for the information!!
Best Regards
Jo

Are the keys the same size as on the Roland Prelude and GW-8?

Ian

1. Haven't played a Prelude or GW 8.
2. You can only changes sounds, volumes etc. However there is a built-in easy process to completely change the genre of a style, on the fly if wanted. In other words, say you have a Big Band style called up. You can change it totally, or selected parts, to a Pop, Rock, Vocal, Rap, etc. instantly by using the Cover function.
3. BK can read all Roland styles, including G70.
4. Don't remember, but styles can be really long. I think I remember seeing 32 measures. BTW, number of style measures are displayed as the Style plays, and number of remaining measures are displayed as intros and endings play.
DonM

Thanks Don
Still remains if BK-7m sounds are better than previus synths...

Jo, the sounds that I use are. Pianos are excellent, guitars and saxes are great. Organs are really good, but seem to lack the facility to change leslie speed via joystick. Maybe there is a way to set that up though. Scats, oohs, aahs, etc. are very believable.
I will dig out some recordings that might help later this weekend.
DonM

Don,

While you're in a digging mood, c'mon up here and we have some white stuff on the ground you can dig.

Cheers,

Gary

Here down the shore we got a nice dusting overnight almost gone now!!

I do not feel bk-5 sounds better then G70 the sound seems very thin to me it is worth 999.00 but not in the same sound league as G70 I have a casio px3 if you are intrested the Yam MO8 good unit and very light as a portable stage piano/synth 32lbs good sound and 88 keys

It was 80 here yesterday but a cold front came through and it's down near 60 today.
DonM

"Every day I'm Shovelin"....

Just walked outside to get the mail--the thermometer on the deck read 27-F, the driveway has about an inch of ice on it, and I had to wear golf shoes with metal spikes to get to the mailbox at the top of the driveway. If I can keep myself from falling apart, this time next year I'll be playing at a tiki bar in the Florida Keys.

Damned it's cold here,

Gary

I think that's why I like the BK-7M/BK-5 sound better than the G-70...it doesn't sound "thinner" to my ears, but sort of like a more detailed and separated sound, especially in the styles.

The G-70 has a heavier, thicker sound that some find very appealing, whilst others think it's a bit too thick. I happen to like it as well.

If the BK-5 had a sequencer, I'm sure it would sell better, but, it probably will do well, considering it's relatively low price.

Ian

23°F here, and feels like 16°F with the wind chill. Lots of snow last night...I'm not a fan of shoveling.

As my dad used to say, "Colder than a mother-in-law's kiss"

Ian

You can easily edit any sound and tailor it to your liking on the G70 with ease...makeup tools are phenomenal, especially if you want to edit each individual piece of drum kit which to my knowledge your CANNOT do on any Yamaha arranger including the T4 ....IMO the G70 it has the best editing tools & sequencer of any arranger on the market new or old that I have ever used.

Then why aren't you using a Roland?

One should always use what works and sounds best, despite any other minor shortcomings.

You can easily do a SZ search from years ago on my Roland G70 days to get your answer....weight & size was a bit too much for my every day gigging needs.....But I really miss playing the ROLAND G70 arranger, I often play Frans in his studio when I need a fix.......in my new SZ profile pic I am actually playing the G70 on the bottom rack. Maybe on T5 Yamaha can try to include the editing of separate pieces of drum kit it would be very useful ...I hope so..

You must be late for that gig?

Ian

7-10pm Dinner Dance .....leaving soon it's close by...truck is packed ready to go!

I had G70, E80, E50 and BK7M. There is a small difference in sound between E50 and the others, but only to people like us. The difference between the others is most likely the way they are set up or tweaked.
I have recordings of myself on all four units and can't tell the difference listening to them, except some of the lead sounds on the BK seem better. I also think some of the factory settings are better on the BK, as well they should since it's the newest of the lot and they have had more time to develop and perfect them. I'm talking about the way the styles and sounds are set up from the factory.
To be fair, I've experienced exactly the same thing between generations of Yamahas and Ketrons. The later models have more evolved sounds and effects that are triggered via pressure, switches, buttons etc. Other than that it's truly hard to tell on which model the songs were recorded on, with the exception of the Audya (live drums).
They are all wonderful.
I prefer drums from Ketron, Roland, Korg, in that order, but all are satisfactory. Others will surely have a different order of preference and include Yamaha.
I'm now after optimum size, weight, and ease of operation. The PA3X is winning that war, taking into consideration that it means I don't have to carry a laptop for text files and MP3 playback, an external mixer, an external screen, or vocal processor. It has a very good lightweight pedal, (EC5), and facility for 2 more foot controllers if needed. It has the joystick I prefer that is located where I want it, it has great factory support and a good record of reliability. It has multipads. It is good breaks and fills, intros and endings. And Korg has a history of providing free updates and upgrades, as needed. It is easily edited. Far from perfect, but the leader at this time for my needs.
I wish I had an Audya 5 too though.
DonM

Now, in order to pay for this stuff, I have to go play music for wealthy people who will not know that I'm not doing Karaoke!
DonM

ROLAND BK5 demo NAMM 2012

Well looks like each Video it seems to get a bit better sounding....

BK5 Demo