Add all the sounds of the Integra 7, add all the features of the G70, add a huge touchscreen and there you have it... But this is probably as good as it gets in the Roland arrangers from now on.. (which is absolutely a lot at that price)

Seems Roland is definately moving away from their one instrument (TOTL arranger or Workstation) can do it all strategies..

I think this topic was bound to come up, and is very interesting, but I'm wondering why the OP (Bachus), who considers the BK-9 such a good buy, chose to pass on it?

Personally, I was quite surprised the BK-9 didn't do better sales wise, at least here on SZ, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one who felt that way.

It does appear to have a lot going for it, especially considering the relatively modest price, it's great feature content, and the fact that it's sporting 76 keys.

According to a poll we took here on SZ, approximately 50% (or more) thought that their next (or the next) arranger should have 76 keys, and of course, be lightweight, have all the important features, and be reasonably priced as well.

There were also a few that suggested that Yamaha should make a 76 note PSR (based on the S9** series) or Roland should come out with a more lightweight version of their venerable G-70.

Instead Yamaha decides to give us a 76 note top of the line arranger (and no 76 PSR), but when Roland, more accurately following the poll's wish-list here on SZ, finally comes out with a "little gem" as Diki calls it, the interest level was considerably lower than expected (at least by me).

It even has the much vaunted and wanted "chord sequencer", that was also on the wish-list of several in the poll.

So far, a few here bought or tried a BK-9, yet returned it or sold it (or tried to sell it)...a few have kept it, but are looking to replace it with a Tyros4-76 or a Korg PA3xPro, and, of course, there are those who have decided it is exactly what they need for their arranger duties.

As far as I could tell, most of those not keeping the instrument (or considering replacing it) were either pros and/or advanced players.

One or two that passed on it were (and still are) strong Roland supporters.

Of course, this is just among active SZ members, and may not reflect what's happening elsewhere.

It would also be interesting to see that poll again (I can't seem to find it...maybe someone can?) and get an idea of what the wants were then, versus, the wants we have now.

In my case, a 76 note arranger didn't interest me in the slightest, and still doesn't, but I do consider Roland's effort to give arranger players what they were asking for (especially in the SZ poll) more than just a slight success...I think think they hit the target dead on.

Or, maybe the target changed (or was made smaller) in the ensuing time since the poll was done?

Ian

I have had my BK-9 now since they first came out. Have had a lot of fun with it and when I use it on gigs my audiences tell me they really like it because they can feel the rhythm of the songs. The more I experiment with it the more I tend to like the thing - kind of a love -hate relationship. The OS is a mountain to climb compared to other keyboards I have owned but eventually it seems to fall into place. I don't like the fact that a lot of "tweaking" is needed - even to get some of the voices right. Seems the Roland folks have never sat next to great instrument players. Oh well, maybe it is just me.

What has truly surprised me is the complete lack of interest in the BK-9. I have been trying to sell mine now for about 2 months on Cragslist, Ebay, and several forums and have yet to get a serious offer. Oh, if I wanted to sell it for HALF of what I paid for it I guess you could say I got serious offers.

Anyway, I play it about everyday but that will soon come to a halt - my Tyros 5 will be delivered on Wednesday. By the way, I actually agree with what Diki posted - it isn't that the BK-9 is TOTL, MOTL, Bad, or Good - it is just really different from the Korgs and Yamaha keyboard produced today. And, Diki has a great point - if you are a typical "ARRANGER" type player, like me, the BK-9 is probably not for you. If however, you do a lot of full keyboard playing with no split it has real options not found on other keyboards.

Deane

Deane, which Tyros5 did you get...the 61, or the 76?

I'm betting it was the 61...more compact and a tad lighter.

Ian

is the T5 /76 as popular in sales as expected....
seems everyone is complaining it "TOO BIG" ? isn't this what so many players asked for? If not will they continue a 76 model in T6?

Donny,
I got the Tyros 5-61. It will fit perfectly in the gig bag I used for the Tyros 4 and I really don't need the 76 keys. There has been a lot of non-sense posts on every forum from posters who have no personal experience with the Tyros 5. A few who did get the Tyros 5 before expressing an opinion have all had positive things to say about the keyboard. I currently have the S950 so the Audio style issues are well known to me and my UK friends, who now own the T5, have confirmed that has not changed in the Tyros 5.

Deane

I understand Dean,....good luck with your new T5...use it well, hopefully for a very long time.

40% of the T5 sold overhere in europe are 76 keys..

The complaints for it being to big come from the same people that allways complained that76 key arrangers where to heavy.. But then at only 16 kg thats less then 2 more then a 61 ..


Overhere in europe 95% of T5 never see a stage and end up in poeples homes, replacing the home organs they had in the 70s and 80s... For those people size is not an issue..


You are generalsing comments based on 2 complaints comming from a very specific group of users...

Well I guess with this we'll have to see the stats a year from now to be able to make a informed opinion. I personally like 61 keys. But I can see why Piano style full KB mode is effective too with the right players.

Bachus,
your post is right on point. My wife and I visit the UK at least once each year and while there we always attend two of the Yamaha club music events. During the past 6 years we have made dozens of great UK friends all of whom are elderly people and all but a very few who are not gigging musicians. They are not very concerned about size or weight but are very much into the sound produced by the Tyros lineup. Many of these people have played Yamaha products be they organs or keyboards for decades and are walking Yamaha encyclopedias. A few of the folks we have met are in close touch with the UK Yamaha people and seem to have input into what happens with future keyboards. We have always been treated like royalty on our visits, have learned a lot, and always look forward to our next visit. By the way, the events are now being held in Skegness.

Deane