E-A7

Love/Hate is driving me crazy..
I chose the E-A7 over my BK9, for features like the sampling, pads,
and a better user interface.
Thus given up my 16 track seq, SN sounds, better keys and more of them..

There is one thing that annoys me about the E-A7 that may force me to
rethink my keyboard choice.

In fact I may go back to just using my G70.

Maybe get another BK9, and sell the E-A7..

What is the annoying thing.... No dedicated manual bass..
Most of the time I play manual bass, and as I do on my G70 ,
I just play the drums and mute all other parts.
Without a manual bass button, when I play an intro or ending,
the bass drops off becaus it is a lower voice,
not a manual bass voice. No problem with the G70 or BK9..

At this stage (not working as many gigs) I am so ready to use the G70,
for the things it does that the other two do not.

I cannot think of a way to get around this problem without using another
upper part as a bass, losing my piano part ( not acceptable).

I guess I am getting a phone call soon...

Answer your phone

Check with Ted...He has a excellent BK-9 with a whole bunch of stuff with it...Harold

Why doesn't Ted like the EA7?

Haha I've barely scratched the surface of the BK-9! Actually I'm still waiting for a suitable monitor system. Believe it or not this is my first "pro" board without speakers.

I will say, the key feel is leagues better than my E-50, and about on par with the Tyros 5. Sounds are generally excellent through headphones. I'm disappointed though that my user styles seem to need a lot of tweaking (even after using them on a BK-7m!) I'm not an expert when it comes to DSP and effects; I suspect that's what they need most. Another way to tackle this problem would be to re-create them starting with styles that are native to the BK-9.

I miss the big screen of the Tyros. I've just begun messing around with iPad connections and apps to create and manage registrations. Also looking for an iPad-based solution to display music, especially if it can also play MIDI files, with a "follow the bouncing ball" real-time score display.

The E-A7 looks bewildering... I'm surprised Fran thinks the UI is better than the BK-9. I had a BK-5 briefly, and compared to the Prelude/GW-8, controls are laid out pretty thoughtfully for a real-time arranger. Not giving up my E-50 just yet though... :-)

Ted when I mention a better interface I am also referring to dedicated buttons beside user tone areas etc. The cursor arrows on the BK9 also annoy me

Ted
Once you get the hang of it the Bk9 is very editable and not hard at all. I have also found that editing the OnBoard Styles seems to sound better than editing older imported ones but I don't know why. Moved my BK7M Styles right over with no problem. Wish I still had the BK7M for my DP.
I also have those Roland apps but never bother using them as I know my way around now. Haredest thing was doing the OT preformances and now I think "What was so hard in the beginnig" I do 4 for every Style.

Although it does indeed look difficult, E-A7 has the best interface of any arranger I've used and I've had several. If Roland would put out a new E-A7-like arranger with a large touch screen and jog wheel, they would have a winner, although I might not switch since I have so much time invested in my PA900 now.

Hi Fran,
Isn’t it a case of what works for you. If it’s missing such an important function that you use, no wonder it’s frustrating.