maybe a NEW Bk7m redesigned with a larger Display screen at Music Messe Show in Frankfurt April along with the NEW BK9 ?

Anybody know if one can sync the bk7m to the registration memory buttons on a Tyros/PSR? If so, how much of what could be saved?

Dropping the touch screens is a HUGE step backwards for Roland. Particularly as the component price on them, compared to when they first came out (2005?) is much lower. Modern arrangers are so capable, so complex, that having front-panel buttons for everything is completely impractical (and expensive). So everything gets shunted to menus and sub-menus, and editing becomes much more of a chore.

The touch screen is the perfect answer to the problem, because one button can call up a screen with DOZENS of virtual buttons, and another button call up yet another screen. Nothing is more than a couple of button pushes away. This new system is nowhere NEAR as user friendly or fast, and those are the two things that make people USE editing features!

Trident... some of the 'sizzle' is newer drum kits, with better hi-hats, some of it is different EQ on the Parts, and more 'Mastering' Tools, but if you take all that off, overall, there's not a huge difference to the G70 other than the noticeably shorter loops on some of the major sounds... Obviously, the BK-7m doesn't have the full 192MB of ROM that the G70 said it did. But this is standard procedure for downmarket arrangers compared to the TOTL.

Overall, there is much to like about the BK-7m, compared to the G70. Drums are improved, and electric and acoustic guitars have been bettered substantially. The styles are well balanced (other than the reverb overload on some of them) and EQ'd, and I think this latter aspect is the primary reason most hear a difference to the G70. The 3-band parametric EQ per Part and per drum was an upgrade to the G70 after it had been out a year or more. And, to be perfectly honest, the styles were all made prior to that capability, and after it was added, Roland, although they issued newer styles, they seem to have taken this long to fully understand and utilize them. But many of the EQ 'tweaks', when applied to older G70 styles and kits, can help it sound pretty close to the BK series.

I wouldn't trade my G70 away in a million years in comparison to the BK-7m, and from what I've seen so far of the BK-9, I don't think this one will make me do it either. I always like to tweak and personalize my styles, and the speed and ease of being able to do this is probably (other than great drums!) my primary need in an arranger.

Hi Don,
I gather you're using an actual controller keyboard to access these functions, have you ever tried it with the korg?

Had been considering the s950, but a module would be a better setup for my pa3x.

So, if anyone else could also please chip in,

How well does it play some of the older Roland styles? Had a heap for my VA7 (if I can still find them).
I also vaguely remember reading something on Technote,a few years back, that they made some of the Technics styles available for sale for Roland Keyboards. That would be a bonus for me, just wondering if anybody ever tried them on a Roland.

I gather there's no NOTE editing for styles, but sounds etc can be changed?

Also the sequencer records as audio not midi ( which put me off originally ).
So can the bk7m play audio files from an external source ie if I recorded an mp3 file in Band in a Box for instance, could it be played back in the BK7m?

There's apparently some sort of a pedal available, is it a neccesity for easy acces for intro's , variations etc

Thanks Guys.

Hi Rikki, I haven't tried it with the Korg.
It does play the older Roland styles just fine. I kept the E50 partly because on the original OS the BK7m wouldn't write OTS settings, so I could do them on the E50 and use them in the BK.
Now the upgrade allows us to write OTS settings of our own.
Yes, it does have audio in, and again works just fine. You can also play recorded songs from the USB drive.
I use the FC7 pedal, and as I wrote above, it is quite useful.
It's not essential for me, because the controller has sustain pedal input and the module has an assignable pedal input.
It's very easy to change style sounds. The makeup and cover tools are great. You can instantly change the genre of a complete style, or part of a style, as you choose.
There are Technics conversions available. I don't recall if I use any of them.
DonM

Hi Don,
thank you.

The makeup & cover tools sounds quite interesting.

Downloaded the manual so I'll have a read thru, definately interested.

The actual Technics styles I referred to, I don't beleive are conversions ( I could be wrong).Technote, who created the 3rd party style series for the Technics keyboard, actually ended up doing their series for Roland keyboards, so I would imagine they should sound better than an EMC conversion, or at least I would hope so. haahaa.
Better do some checking first & make sure they're still available befor I get too excited.

Thanks Don.

I wouldn't get a BK-7m without also getting an FC-7 too...

There's just too much that needs these switches that isn't on the front panel. Perhaps if your controller keyboard is VERY capable, but I think there is some important stuff that ONLY the FC-7 can get to.

Thanks Diki
I be using it with my PA3X , the last thing I need is another set of keys so a dedicated controller keyboard is out.
I'll do some checking into an FC-7, thanks guys , for the advice.

Wouldn't life be grand if one arranger keyboard could control the functions of another arranger.