Roland have come out with the second new OS for the BK-9, and it's a doozie! Version 1.06 is available at Roland's Downloads section: http://www.roland.com/support/article/?q=downloads&p=BK-9&id=63052872

There are some VERY significant new features...

Version history
[ Ver.1.06 ]
Please refer to the "BK-9 Addendum ( BK-9_AddendumV106_e1.pdf )" for detailed information.
[New functions]

Compatibility with BK-9 Performance editor.
Copy performances
a. Now you can copy one, several or all Performances from one Performance list to another.
Importing User Programs from G-/VA-/E-series.
The DYNAMIC ARRANGER
a. function allows you to control the volume of the accompaniments parts depending on the way you strike the keys in the chord recognition area (velocity sensitivity).
Mark&Jump function to variation 1-2-3-4- during the smf playing.
User Drum Kit
a. Added the possibility to edit some parameters that characterize the sound of a drum instrument.
Fade IN/OUT Setting
a. It is possible to set the Fade In and Fade Out time duration.
These parameters can be selected using [MENU] button -> "Global"
H.Bar Level Slider Assign (H.Bar Level)
a. This parameter sets the "H.BAR Level" slider (Red slider) to adjust either the overall organ volume level or the overdrive level.
Set the transpose to 0 in One Shot
a. Now you can set the transpose to 0 immediately, press the [KEY] button while the display shows the "KEY" pop-up window.
MIDI (Rx Common Exp)
a. This parameter allows you to specify that Expression messages received on the channel you select here (1~16) should affect all of the BK-9's parts (except for the song parts). Selecting "Off" Expression messages should only affect the part that receives on the MIDI channel used by the Expression messages.
Pedal Controller FC-7
a. You can use the FC-7 footswitch unit Board to activate the Audio Phrases. The Audio Key function uses the 7 right most keys of BK-9's keyboard. If you want these keys available to play notes, you can assign the activation of the Audio Phrases to the optional FC-7 footswitch unit Board.
Assign Switches (Unlock All function)
a. You can to unlock in one shot all filters acting when changing performances.
Scale Tune Switch
a. The "Scale Tune" settings now can be applied to the Upper1 and Upper2 separately.
Linking a MIDI Set to the Performance memory
a. You can link a User MIDI set to the Performance memory.
Performance Hold (New filters added)
a. Three new filters "Assign Switches" and "DBeam" and "MIDI Set" were added.
One Touch Hold (New filters added)
a. Two new filters "Assign Switches" and "DBeam" were added.

It is great to have the Dynamic Arranger back... and the Mark/Jump feature for SMF's.

G70 UPS import is very handy for us going from one to a BK-9 (but architecture is somewhat different, so I'll have to see how well it works)

And putting the audio loops onto the FC-7 (so you can still use the full keyboard for regular playing) is something I wanted right from the start (would hate to accidentally trigger one!)

Plus the housekeeping tools to help you move Performances around between different Performance Lists is really handy!

Fantastic job, Roland... keep it up!

There's also a ton of bug fixes...

Did you notice a ton of bugs, Diki? So far your reviews have been pretty positive.

And to add to Daves question - now that you have had it a while Diki, can you give another opinion on the keybed?

Thanks

Dennis

Important BK-9 tip before you update to v1.06

The update wipes out ALL your Global settings (and there is no way at present to save them to USB).

So, before you do the update, write down all your Global and Utility settings.

On paper! How 20th century

TBH, guys, I hadn't come across any of these yet.. but I'm on a fairly heavy live band playing schedule, so I haven't exactly been pushing my BK-9 hard yet. Just mostly Makeup Tool-ing my sequences and styles.

But here's the list:

[Bug Fixes]
The following bugs were fixed.

The C1 value is not recalled on performance
The MBS key touch doesn't work correctly
Select the same tone in up1 and up2, now the window doesn't refresh
a. Power on.
b. Select 0001 GranPiano1 to up1.
c. Select 0001 GranPiano1 to up2.
d. Try to change the part up1 and up2 but the window always shows only one part.
The fade in doesn't work perfectly on MIDI Files
The slider of CC1,CC2,CC3 show wrong values (0~127)
Wrong Supernatural sound with MP3 and USB midi
a. Connect USB MIDI to a PC (Windows) and power on.
b. Select mp3 (U2 - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.mp3).
c. Press Play.
d. Select SuperNatural trumpet.
e. Play trumpet.
you will hear a remarkable delay in note on and off (similar to hold effect....).
Wrong SRB Styles
Wrong behaviour in smf Makeup tools and in Style Makeup tools
a. Load a midi file or a style.
b. Enter in Make up tools.
c. Select the drum part.
d. Select Drum istrument field.
e. Change the velocity value (es. + 40).
f. Change the Drum Istrument value.
The Velocity value is 40 again.
The mixer environment doesn't refresh
a. Select Style "001 Space Beat".
b. Press ONE TOUCH 3 (then you select H. BAR).
c. Press MIXER to select the PART MIXER screen.
d. Remain the mixer open and press ONE TOUCH 4 (then you select "SC Loud Gtr").
Now there is no MIXER PART for UP1 !!
The numeric function doesn't work in left screen (tone number).
The rhythm intro is cut when you use the audio loop.
the Lock rhythm function doesn't change the tempo of the style.
In style composer the Time signature is not set in INTRO 2.
It's impossible to select the tone number of the user tone family that has pc=127.
MFX2 CTRL1 Sens/Source not recalled at performance change.

And the action is very nice, despite not being my G70's action.

The keys are about 1/2" shorter than the G70's (by comparison, a full sized piano key is 1/4" longer than the G70's) but only 1/8" shorter than say a Korg Triton.

Width is standard (13" for 2 octaves) the same as regular pianos and most everything 'normal' sized.

I find the action very crisp and precise, comfortable on key-down, with none of the sponginess from the BK-5/3 in the springing. Mind you, even the BK-5/3 are MUCH better than the PSR action on the S950 (yes, I've played one!). Can't for the life of me understand how a $2000 keyboard can feel that bad!

All in all, I can play very comfortably on this keybed (the BK-9's). No, it isn't QUITE as good as the G70's, and it does have a piano style 'lip', so palm smears run the risk of snagging a little bit more than the G70 (but side to side stability is very good, no play, so so far this isn't an issue - organ playing is very comfortable), and sadly, no aftertouch... (I still don't understand why Roland cut THAT corner!) but all in all, I am very pleasantly surprised.

I have a friend with a PA3X61, and it compares quite well to that. You guys know how picky I am about actions... I wouldn't be endorsing this one if it didn't meet my needs.

I am content.

It is good to see that Roland are continuing to update their instruments (Some of the large updates obviously at cost) rather than forcing you to buy a new instrument to get them. (Yamaha take note)

Bill

All updates are free... (was that what you meant?)

The iPad apps range from free to $5. Hardly going to break the bank.

Didn't the Abacus cost quite a bit to upgrade?

Roland Upgrade

It was price on application from dealers, which manifested as roughly $1200 in the US and £1500 in the UK.

As to the Abacus, which update/upgrade are you talking about as there have been many over 13 years (There’s been 46 in OAS 7 alone and that didn’t come out till 2005) not forgetting that the Abacus is part of the Organ Not Keyboard range.

Bill