It sounds great,,,...

What features is it missing ?
Why do people not call it a TOTL arranger?

Price wise it is in the MOTL category, so this is what it is compared to.

Bill

The G70 is Roland's TOTL Arranger!! ......ask Fran

G70 was TOTL back in 2004-2007. Regarding the sounds, the BK-9 is even somewhat superior to the G70, due to the SuperNatural sounds (with one exception: it doesn't have a slot for SRX boards). But IMO some features suggest that it's MOTL: e.g. the two small displays.

Now this sounds really stupid... Do you really want to pay two times as much if you can get the same for half the price?

What features do Audya, PA3x and Tyros have that this keyboard does not have?

And so far none can name a single one..

Because of:
- 2000 euro price tag
- no harmonizer
- less expansion options
- no touchscreen
- less real-time parts (no second left voice, no third right voice)
- some features less or modified compared with G70 (eventhough there are many enough that weren't present before)
- keybed of less quality than G70

people will not think of it as the top keyboard.

But Roland clearly stated IT IS the flagship for BK series. I don't think there will be a "topper" offer and I do believe the BK will stay for a while to be the arranger instruments line from Roland.

Maybe a future refreshed G series will come back, but I don't think is for very soon.

And to answer the question - I believe there absolutely nothing wrong with it. I wonder myself how come there's so little noise about it. Or maybe there is enough, but not here.

First of the 2000 price is not a reason to call it not a totl arranger..

And then there are some of your reasons not present in other TOTL arrangers, like T5 not having a touchscreen, not having a 2nd left voice. and on top of that not having many other features that the BK9 does have like a step sequencer, a chord sequencer, the D-beam, better sound edditing capabilitties..


It says clearly this is rolands top of the line Keyboard... and what people fail to see is that the contenders are much much much overprised of Roland can sell this contender at this pricepoint. Just face it, this is Rolands new TOTL arranger at a great price, and its a great effort... if you like the Roland sound, i guess your get an awesome deal.

LOL... nothing wrong with the BK-9. In fact, it's got a few things nothing else does. Admittedly, they are a bit advanced or not in line what most of the more senior players tend to think as good for more 'oldies' music, but it is a very good arranger at the price point.

In fact, right now, the MOTL arranger segment is quite frankly the more interesting than the TOTL, which dwindles yearly.

For starters, street price puts it almost $1500 less than the G70, new, so it definitely fits the MOTL description. It compares in many ways far closer to the E60 than the G70. No speakers (which keeps its weight down to that svelte 20 lbs), but the same no aftertouch, 2UPR/1LWR/MBASS Parts (rather than the 3UPR/2LWR/MBASS on the G70), and lacks the touch screen, although iPad apps return much of the convenience of the touch screen, and no VH (although theres an XLR mike in with phantom and a dedicated vocal reverb - barebones but functional).

But from the G70, it gets a (much improved) Hammond sim, easily one of the best in any keyboard, let alone an arranger, and then a vastly improved soundset, adding Roland's version of SA voices for the first time, the return of the Chord Sequencer (yay!) and the addition of MP3/WAV/AIFF playback of backing tracks, and the ability to put your OWN audio loops up on either the top 7 keys (making it a sort of 61 if you discount the bottom end!) or on the switches on the FC-7 footswitch unit. Oh, and FIVE different Insert Effects (MFX), with two for the KBD Parts and three just for the style/SMF section..! G70 had one (and a kluge where you could use the MFX for the audio ins to effect any Part by patching it in).

All in all, it's quite a unique product in the arranger market, an inexpensive but great feeling 76 (only one of its kind), light weight but quite advanced arranger.

Personally, I think its strengths are its amazingly live sounding drums, easily the best in the business if you don't count audio loop arrangers (and I don't because of you inability to edit those!), its great rock, pop and jazz styles, and the ability to add loops, in tempo and key with what you are doing, which opens the door to a sound FAR closer to modern WS's. Add to that the pick of the SuperNatural (Roland's SA section) litter, which for me the standouts are amazingly playable guitar patches, and an incredibly comprehensive and well balanced sound set, it's a worthy successor to the G70, despite some of the little losses.

You all know how fond of my G70 I have been for the eight years or more I have had and used mine, but purely as an ARRANGER, the BK-9 betters it by quite a huge margin (that's why I bought one!). As a live band keyboard, the G70 still holds a slim lead due to the fabulous action and ease of the touchscreen to set everything up on the fly (no WS can come within a mile of it!), but I have yet to try the iPad apps with it, which may very well sway my decision to use it in that context too.

Yes, no SRX slots, but sometime down the pike (hard to tell with Roland's reorganization recently when it will come out, though) there's an expansion area that will probably allow as much extra sound ROM to be added as a single SRX card, which is all the G70 had (the E80 had two slots), so that's a push, too if you discount the wait or choice.

I am having a blast playing mine, the G70 sits gathering dust until I get a live band gig. I think that's all you really need to know!

NOTHING wrong with the BK-9. It's an excellent new arranger in the MOTL market segment, bringing TOTL performance to that segment with few compromises.

And yes, no matter HOW low end or middle end an arranger company's best arranger made is, by definition, it is ALWAYS the company's 'flagship'...

It's a marketing term. Don't let your perception of the word color the truth. This is Roland's best MOTL arranger EVER.

If they ever rejoin the TOTL segment, it will be with something pretty amazing to better this little gem!

Well, it's really only by comparison with G70 that people will call it a MOTL. It there wasn't that, no real reason why BK9 should be on pair with other TOTL.

Of course, in some areas there are differences, but this could stand the fight very well.

And price it is a reason, again just because of comparison reasons, as Diki said.

Anyway, BK9 is not so close to what E60 was. Not at all - I bought my E60 years ago for only 900 euros, brand new. BK9 is double and some more. But of course the sounds are different too.

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

Actually, three of the Tyros5 sales I was indirectly involved with, were 76 keys, and two of them are being used to gig.

One guy is replacing his 9000 Pro with the T5-76. He has a mini-van so the size isn't an issue. The other buyer uses a van as well.

The Tyros5-76's size only seems to be a problem with those moving them in cars, as it will not usually fit on the back seat of most small sedans.

I still feel most of Tyros sales are to home players, although that can always change.

What I find hard to understand is most of those who cried for a 76 note lightweight mid-priced arranger have not taken more interest in the BK-9, as Roland seems to have filled all their wishes and then some.

Ian

I have always considered Roland's an arranger that never sounds its best OOTB. For whatever reason, Roland's style makers struggled with getting the balance between each style Part and the RH Parts correct. Mind you, listening to swamped user demo after demo here and other arranger sites, it's a common problem! However, I think Yamaha do the best job of balancing the style Parts with each other OOTB. And, quite possibly, Roland the worst.

So, you buy a Roland, you really need to tweak each style you use. Not exactly the instant gratification that most arranger players are looking for..! But, as an audio professional, I usually EXPECT to have to work long and hard to force anything I buy off the shelf to how I want to hear it.

Add to that, Roland, by dropping the touchscreen, also dropped the OS they have spent the last eight years perfecting, and moved to a FAR more menu driven OS (until you get the iPad apps), which has probably been one of the main complaints I have had to deal with over at Roland-Arranger.com. It's not that you can't actually DO most things other arrangers do, it's just that figuring out how to do it, and getting used to doing it differently than you used to is often more than many casual players want to go through.

Then factor in that the BK-9 was the LAST arranger to come out in the BK series (by quite some time), and you have the situation that a large percentage of players that wanted a new Roland had already got the BK-5 (or passed, because it was something of a cheap feeling arranger - not as bad as an S950, but still quite lower than Roland had made in the past) and it's fair to say that the market was already saturated by the time it came out.

In fairness, Roland, particularly in the US, has been promoting and making dealers stock their arranger line poorly for a decade or more. Their WS's and synths are received very well, but the arrangers have long been a bit divergent from things like the PSR's and Tyros's, gradually getting perhaps further and further away from what the rapidly aging arranger market share is turning into. They have failed to age as much as the rest, I guess you could say. So it has been quite difficult for anyone to even SEE a BK-9, let alone play one in a store. That has been going on for a LONG time, and obviously is a poor decision.

Not only that, but Roland, particularly with the BK-9, have not shipped it with some content that shows it off at its best... The audio loop feature is absolutely a ground-breaking new feature, easy to use, and capable of making the arranger sound VERY contemporary, combining the best of sampled drums with audio loops is virtually the blueprint for modern music, and also goes a long way towards things like Yamaha and Ketron's audio drum features, allowing you to spice up what are already very live sounding drums with whatever you feel they don't do their best on (say some percussion, or brush jazz loops, or synth burbles and arpeggio figures).

But Roland failed to provide a USB stick with the arranger (either in the sale to the customer or to the dealer for him to demo it) with a bunch of these audio loops already set up to show this stuff off, so the feature never got the 'wow!'s it ought to have.

Personally, I still think Roland make fantastic arrangers, easily the equal or better of others, but they do BY FAR the poorest job of marketing and promoting them, and getting them into the stores.

And perception is everything, isn't it? LOL

I checked with our local dealer and no BK-9 for floor stock (demo), and none have been ordered since it's introduction....it may be different in the other provinces.

Again, I think it's rather weird that so many here on SZ were crying for a mid-line lightweight 76'er, yet when a good one is made available, very few even as much as commented on it.

Not the fault of Roland or the BK-9, (it appears to have hit all the buttons) but it does make one wonder about the value of such a poll.

Ian

What's wrong with it ? Nothing for me or really anyone if you get into it enough. 76 decent feeling keys, lightweight, great sounds and Styles, very good organ (I'll soon be selling my VR700 ) and features I'll probably never use but nice to have for a "maybe someday" . And its a professional looking Black too with no onboard speakers to ruin the sound or add weight and price. LOL ! JMHO

Everything Diki said especially poor demoing and marketing is true. Great instrument. Surprized it not a super hit here.

And for those wanting more than one LH voice you can set up a 8 patch soundset of Favorites for all parts. UP1, UP2, Lower, MBass. That means for each part you can have 8 choices of your favorites with one touch.
It does take a lot of work to get it where you want but I think everything you need is there. As I've said before get a second hand IPAD and your've got your touchscreen feature too. And the Ipad is useful for a million other things.

I really don't see the advantages of a 5K keyboard that everyone is jumping at. Whatever floats your boat but don't overlook the BK9 if your shopping.

TBH, most of those crying for a lightweight 76 REALLY wanted a lightweight 76 Yamaha!

If Yamaha introduce a 76 S950, I'm pretty sure you are going to see the forum poll reflect reality. Just look at the droves who are flocking to the 76 T5, despite many saying back in the day it would never float (or even be made)!

The making of the Tyros5-76 was just as much a surprise to me as the introduction of the chord sequencer on the BK-9 was to you.

I knew quite a bit about the earlier Tyros models well before their introduction, but in the case of Tyros5-76, we didn't get the slightest, tiniest, ittsy bittsy clue, so it may have been a very late decision.

In all likelihood it was to compete with the Korg PA3xPro-76.

What will be really interesting is if the 76'er continues on with Tyros6.

I hesitate to say there won't be a 76 note PSR series...but, if I'm proven wrong, at least there will be lots of people happy over it...ha ha!

Ian

I'm guessin that those that want a great sounding 76 key arrangerd, those that ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE A 76, for one reason or another, will end up with a T5-76. Now, what percentage of the arranger keyboard players that constitutes is up for grabs at this point, but I'm bettin that it's a lot less than 40 percent, especially if the pricetag is significantly higher. Just a guess, mind you, but from the standpoint of someone that has been around the barn for more than 50 years.

Cheers from on old codger,

Gary

Haven't we seen a post here recently (sorry where it is doesn't spring immediately to mind) that seems to claim that 40% or so of T5 order in the EU were for the 76?

That's pretty darn significant...

It really doesn't take any stretch of the imagination to conjecture that, if that kind of percentage of players would be into a 76 Tyros, if offered, that the same percentage would be into a 76 PSR also.

At this point, Ian, I would be careful about predicting anything!

As I seem to recollect, back a few years whenever this issue was brought up, you didn't so much 'predict' that Yamaha would never make another 76 after the PSR9000Pro, but as much as guaranteed it! Why, after all, would Yamaha make anything that none of its players had any need for whatsoever? LOL

I guess about 40% of all Tyros users are now thanking God that you weren't in charge of Yamaha!

It came fro a comment of the Yamaha sale manager in the Neterlands, 40% of all oreders where 76 keys

Yep, I was sure wrong about that one...

Perhaps I should predict that Yamaha will never have a chord sequencer?

Or, Roland will never again have aftertouch on it's arrangers?

There's an idea? Maybe I'll come out of retirement...Roland could sure use some help. Ha Ha!

Yamaha certainly doesn't need it.

Just like steering out of a skid...opposite lock. Who'd of thunk it?

Ian

Roland will have aftertouch if they ever make a TOTL arranger again.

Just like the S950, or the E-60, most MOTL arrangers don't have aftertouch enabled keybeds. Korg's the only one bucking this trend.

And if it has taken Yamaha over 10 YEARS to respond to what seems significant customer demand, perhaps having the most sales isn't necessarily the best thing..? It has made them complacent and unresponsive.

It is only significant if there is an increase in demand for the Tyros five keyboard as a result of the offering of 76 keys as opposed to just the normal offering of 61 keys. If the same numbers of tyros keyboards are purchased ,Yamaha won't have gained anything by offering two models . Time will tell though . We will only know if it has truly been a success when Tyros six is produced and if they offer that also as a 76 key model. I would suggest that some smart person at Yamaha has seen an opportunity because Roland no longer produce high-end 76 key ranges and that their client base would be left wanting a 76 key offering that was top of the range

Much like Roland's response to the chord sequencer...let's just hope the BK-9 sells enough to warrant another MOTL arranger, let alone a TOTL.

Sales and overall interest (including here on SZ) appear rather tepid at best. If Roland has a lot riding on the BK-9, you'd never think it due to the poor promotion, and, if it doesn't achieve some sort of reasonable success...well, a TOTL would be a stretch to say the least.

They used to have great marketing at one time...maybe there's still a bit of complacency hanging on?

Korg's new arrangers will be out soon...that should really make things interesting.

Ian

And by what amazing crystal ball reading did you come to that conclusion after the pa3x, pa900 is relatively still new?

Nothing amazing..."soon" could mean almost anything...weeks, months...

For some reason, I don't think the PA4X is too too far away.

What might be a real eye opener is if Korg makes a semi-weighted 76'er of the PA-600, something similar to what they did with the PA-588 (only that had 88 weighted keys). I'm not sure if the PA-588 has been discontinued or how well it did sales-wise.

Competition keeps the companies on their toes, and almost always benefits the user.

I doubt if Yamaha would have done the Tyros5-76 if Korg didn't have a 76 TOTL that appears to be doing quite well (certainly better than the BK-9).


Sales numbers are extremely important, as some of that revenue gets put back into research and development. The TOTL instruments allegedly bring in a higher profit, and play a major role in paying off development costs and advertising/promotion campaigns.

They also represent the state of the company and it's commitment to introducing new technology.

Ian

That's my feeling as well: somebody, at Yamaha headquarters, must have had a good look at the PA3X-76 sales and then wondered why they were leaving that slice of the pie to Korg.
Re. Korg's counter-move, there are rumors that we could see something at the next Musik-Messe (March 2014); it should be a mix between the PA3X and the Audya (think of a PA3X with more RAM and audio styles).
Finally, speaking of the BK-9, to me it simply lacks the "wow" factor: you read the specs, watch the videos and think "Yes, but..."
Besides, I own already the BK7-m but find it very clumsy to operate, with that plastic wheel that makes the navigation a nightmare (and this is still a problem in the BK-9).

There is more that yamaha steals from korgs ideas.. and the other way around...

Personally i have heard rumors that Korg will throw in stuff from the Kronos intoo the next PA4x combined with audio capabillities..


And to poor Diki...

This is Rolands Top Of The Line arranger.. they dont plan on anything more expensive, according to many of the dealers i spoke in revent years... however all those dutch dealers could be wrong..

The reason other arrangers in that price range like PSR S950 and Korg PA900 are selling that well because people link them to the top model of the brands line..

As regards a Pa4X, Korg seem to release TOTL on a four-year cycle. The 3X in 2011, the 2X in 2007, the 1X in 2003. So a 4X by that regimen would be released in 2015. But who knows? With the appearance of the T5, that might just push Korg to roll out a 4X a bit sooner. Time will tell.

Agreed, the BK-9, in marketing terms, is so non-wow. It's almost as if Roland make a very capable board and then run and hide. I don't get that - such a waste of effort and money.




I like the sound of your 'rumour', Andrea.

I'm a big roland fan and they're marketing in the US amazes me. They've come out with some great products that never took off. I pay attention to their keyboard and amps but I'm sure theres other products that are in this category.
Remember the SA300 & SA1000 amps? They looked to be great and I was thinking of getting two for a super Keyboard/DJ stereo setup. Anyone ever seen or heard one? I think one member here bought one that I know of.
Seems to be going that way with the BK9. I think a great board and would sell if people knew what it was capable of. This says it all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF2ayWcJfxo

The video you posted is blocked on Youtube Germany by the copyright society GEMA (copyright infringement). Does it just contain BK9 music?

I have SA 300 which I keep in Mexico. I 'll be using it soon on some holiday parties that I'm doing down there. Anyways, the SA 300 is way better than the BA 330...

HA !! No its just a joke. Its "Things that make you go Hmmm" by CC Music Factory.
Sorry no new demos.

I remember talking to you about selling it and you decided to keep it . They're been a few on Ebay but I've passed. Going for some Yamaha DXR's next

I think the Yamaha powered speaker is a better choice Bill. However the SA 300 is a neat " all in one" little PA system.

As far as what's wrong with the bk 9, some keyboardists have told me that they don't like that it has no break button.

Does the BK-9 have Multipads that sync with the style like the Yamaha units?

No dedicated button but you assign one. On the far left there are four programable buttons. You can also assign functions to the FC7 footswitches too. The BK9 has a load of things that can be prorammed in. I've just started scratching the surface of adding these features to my Styles.
A useful on is being able to go from doing LH Bass to full arranger play with a button or one of the footswitches on the FC7. Never have to move your hands from the keyboard. Theres a long list of other useful functions. Check out the manuel online.

Unless they have changed since the BK7m, the Break/fill is just a total break, all silence, no fill. Yes it can be routed to a footswitch or programmable button.

Well, I have a used BK-9 coming my way. Can't wait to hear it through my Yamaha DXR10 speakers.

I got bought it through a fellow Synthzone member. It should be here kn Christmas Eve!!

Main reason I went with the Roland BK-9 is...
--- Low Weight
--- Low Profile
--- Ability of playing WAV or mp3 in a playlist
--- High quality piano sound for my main sound
--- Buying used fit into my budget
--- convenience in my current musical situation

I'm using the BK9 as a way to take tracks I produced in the studio and to take them with me for performances. My wife and I do 10-15 gigs a year. But I lead worship 52 times a year and run 52 rehearsals. That's a lot of lugging around... At under 20 lbs, this will be so much easier than before.

The added bonuses are the styles, audio keys, great quality of sounds I don't have in my studio... the list goes on!

So, nothing is wrong with the BK9... It fits my situation the best at this time.

It will sound good I have Dxr 12s and it sounded great.

I'm convinced the BK-9 can sound very good as th BK-7m already does in most sound categories. But I wonder why there is so much bashing in Youtube comments. Something is definitely wrong with many official/ dealer demos of the BK-9.

ditto on the powered Yamaha DXR 12's I love em!!

Donny

I'm not sure what Multipads are, I've come to the BK9 from a G1000, but as you've read it can trigger audio loops from the upper keys. Not a feature I'll be using for some time. I'm more of a straight ahead player/singer.
There's so much you do with this board to make it "yours" its scary. You can program as much or as little as you want and sound good. Just use the basses and drums and play over them (Mute track button knocks out all the other fluff in a style) with a piano sound and your there.
Wait till Fran gets his and he'll be more adept at the heavy technical stuff LOL

Maybe I don't understand but you can get a variety of fills by just hitting one of the Styles buttons 1-4. Lots of variety in Intros and Endings too using the same 4 buttons.
I have a BK7M too and the only reason I don't prefer it is you really need an FC7 pedalboard to use it live. I guess thats good for guitar/accordian players but more than I want to deal with in a live situation..

{ Well, I have a used BK-9 coming my way. Can't wait to hear it through my Yamaha DXR10 speakers. }

Your gonna have a a great Christmas ! Please let us know how it sounds through the DXR10's. By that I mean I know they will sound great but can they really push it out to a medium/large crowd.
Don has posted he likes the 12"s but I'd like to go a bit smaller/lighter if I can

Some of the demos I've seen I think are quite good. I haven't read the bashing comments but I'm sure they're from people who've never played one. The only way to know is to play one for an extended time. The drums, basses and pianos and styles alone are worth it. Then theres a ton of other stuff to keep you busy for a long time. Its light yet feels nice and solid on the stand and I really can't imagine what is missing for a working pro.

I Know my BK5 didnt have MULTIPADS so I doubt the BK9 does....I'll check out Frans soon enough..

The dual LCD screens on the BK-9...I realize they aren't touch screens, but are they color screens?

I couldn't find out for sure in the specs.

Ian

Ian here is an example...

Thanks Donny...they are a bit like the one on the PSR-S750 as far as I can tell by that picture.

Not really color, but still pretty readable.

Ian

It kinda reminds me of my old Ketron X1 & Sd1, Midjay etc...not bad just not many colors.

Don
Another feature besides the 4 Assingnable buttons is in the upper LH there are four more for D-Beam control. Each one can be programmed to do a different thing when you wave your hand over the D Beam. IE: Give yourself a round of applause with a wave of your hand. Corny but fun. Theres a bunch of programmable sounds for these buttons

No not color and if I have a complaint about the BK9 I find them a bit hard to read. The BK7M had a much easier screen to read. But the ability to have two screens with different info that you can quickly switch back and forth is quite useful .I don't read a lot of info when I work live so its just good for the studio programming. I think when I get an IPAD things will get even better. Plus I can do my DJ thing on the IPAD. Great gig setup.

A friend of mine has a Roland Juno Stage and said he was at a gig one night and every time he used the D-Beam, the people at the front table thought he was waving at them, and kept waving back.

if the D beam was assignable & "USER" customizable it would be a super feature.

That must have gotten old fast LOL. I wonder how long it took them to switch seats.

Bill... I'll let you know the results of the DXR10 and the BK-9. Here's a video link from my last gig... DXR10 speakers are 70 feet away from the person recording my performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26eOwwZSKXw

Congradulations on your new addition ! Very nice video and very good voice. The sound is good but I'm concerned with the later part of a party where I have to crank it up with the dance stuff. Are these really just good 10" speakers or is there some magic Yamaha put in them so they can compete with 12" I have now. ? If I can eliminate bring a powered mixer and having smaller speakers that would be a plus

Thanks for the response.

Jonathan ... great job on vocals ...
May God bless you and your family ...
Merry Christmas

Thanks Tony and Bill... I have fun singing!

Bill... Like anything, the further you go away from the speakers, the lower frequency drops off. The 12" DXR will give you deeper response. The 15" will give you a subwoofer experience but much more to carry. Yamaha has some DSP by the company NEXO (Tour Grade Audio) built into the DXR series. Tonight's gig had me singing Brown Eyed Girl from a track I did on the Motif ES. The bass and bass drum really kicked where I was... Not sure about the rest of the room which was a room with tall ceilings... The room could hold 100 with out tables.

Once I get the BK9, I'll take my setup to my church and I will let it fly! I'll use the USB recorder to record my performance and play it back at the same volume and walk the room. I'll report back to you my findings. As a note... When we do wedding gigs... The dance floor has to boom so we add the EV SbA760 subwoofer to the DXRs running full range.

Roland have never got into MIDI Multipads... I have no idea why, it's definitely something I'd like to see. OTOH, you CAN have up to 7 audio loops, that DO sync to tempo and pitch, and either trigger them with keys at the top, or FC-7 footswitches.

On the whole, I'd rather have the audio thing. While popping a nice conga part in or some tambourines from the MIDI drum set is OK on a multipad, MUCH nicer to add them as real audio. I still haven't figured out why Yamaha users aren't up in arms about how crippled Yamaha made the audio multipad feature on the S950 and T5. It only would take a VERY simple update to allow audio to loop, and the same thing as the BK-9 has would be a snap...