Out of curiosity I was wondering why more people don't use the Roland BK-7m and a 61 key controller keyboard combination? Much has been written about how great the BK-7m is and one can pick up a 61 key controller keyboard with semi-weighted keys and aftertouch for $400 or less (e.g. Akai MPK261). Add in a small keyboard amp and the price is about the same as a MOTL keyboard (e.g. Korg Pa900).

What are the pros and cons of going this route? (Other than not having a voice processor.)

I used a setup like that and BYW have it for sale. Check the For sale forum.

Pros-Very light and compact, easy to use and sounds great. Inexpensive
Con- more cables than a single board.

I fell into a great BK9 deal so thats why I don't use the setup

I used that setup for quite a while and it worked very well. I was having to use a lot of peripheral gear with it though.
Needed an external screen if you want to see midi lyrics, a laptop for text files, a mixer for vocals, an external vocal harmonizer, an external recorder, and all the power supplies cords, midi cables, etc to use all this.
A lot, but not all, could be left connected if you have a setup that allows it.
I found I prefer an all in one keyboard.

I just purchased a BK7m for the same purpose, but I want to pair mine with a Hammond XK-1. I agree with Don about one keyboard, but this is a special situation for me. I'm glad to read that others have had good experiences with the 7 and another keyboard.

Once you list all the peripherals requiring setup and tear down an all-in-one does seem much more appealing. (And the Korg Pa900 does have semi-weighted and aftertouch keys.)

I'm quite happy with the PA900.

Apart from using the BK-7m selection wheel (I think it contributed a little to my chronic tenosynovitis near the ellbow), I think it is an extremely practical and good sounding module (except acoustic guitars and certain strings).
Here's a new recording of BK-7m with MoXF: "Killing me softly". Only the strings (coming in later) are from the MoXF, everything else from the BK-7m. It is played with a style, no midi file. With the MoXF and BK-7m together, you have a great choice of sounds, and the MoXF6 is very lightweight.

http://youtu.be/_qoezMe_6wM

BK7M does have some very nice styles....well done

Thanx

The biggest gripe with modules like BK7m is the placing of the buttons, they are smaller and in most setups further away from the keys...

I think its better to use a keyed arranger as the base of your setup, and then add a soundmodule to that..

If you are able to place it like in my video (it is on the edge of the MoXF, supported by the back part of the keyboard stand with a supporting specially cut styrofoam block underneath), you can reach the imporant live buttons for arranger functions easily enough, and the buttons are fairly big. Changing individual sounds however is difficult, you have to prepare sounds/sound changes at home, e.g. by preparing performance lists for the USB stick.

I tried the same backup with my kronos and the audya module... Just didnt feel right to me...

One of the reasons i ended up with a pa3x now.. ( with a 27" touchscreen and vsts where your bk7m is. The touchscreen is ideal for setting up sounds and such, but when real life playing, i just use the controlls of the Pa3x..

But then its a good thing we are all different, glad this works better for you, and as long as you are happy, you should stick with it

Hi Fellas,
The Manual is a little confusing. I use the Music Assistant feature. When you try to save an Edited style on USB flash stick, is it shown as a New Song List 1? And then every other saved style is listed as New Song List 2 etc.
OR
Should you be able to put a bunch of songs styles under each New Song List?
Thanks Frank

Yes, I remember: In order to get the edited style stored in an existing performance list, you have to call up the respective list on the usb stick first (don't advance too far up to an individual entry of the list, because then your edit will be lost), and then save it! Otherwise a new list will be created.

I use this configuration in my studio/rehearsal room. Roland VP770 (sitting atop my organ) midied to BK7m. I use the 770 mostly as a controller for the BK and as a vocal processor. Works great. Very easy to control, maybe because both are Roland products. The VP770 makes up for all the missing features of the BK7m and the BK makes a terrific drum machine with a few great solo voices (love the piano and brasses).

You really need to use the FC7 pedal with the module. Saves a lot of button pushing.

Pedal is essential, and there is a free app if you are using Roland or Edirol controller.
Makes assigning things much easier.
I have a spare Edirol 61-note controller if anyone needs it.

Yeah, forgot about that. The FC7 helps a lot. Mine sits atop the PK7a pedalboard. Come to think of it, that's an awful lot of Roland gear; am I turning into Fran? Nahhhh.

chas

Yeah, but think of all the fame, fortune, hot chicks Fran pulls . . .

Yeah, I think it's great that his great-granddaughter's girlfriends are willing to pose with him.



chas