http://www.synthzone.com/forum/ubbthread...c_LO#Post502714

Grab it before someone else does!

I always wondered how a keyboardist positions this unit within their set up. Looks too big to fit on top of a keyboard? A separate stand? If it's on a stand, can it be positioned within comfortable reach to a keyboardist?

I have always found that the case with modules… choice of controller is critical.

Playing in style mode revolves about a LOT of rapidly and accurately going from playing chords to hitting small buttons. That’s why, on a keyboard arranger, those most used buttons are right next to the area your LH is playing. It’s a fraction of a second to get from one to the other.

But a controller with a ton of controls or an important to read display usually means the module’s buttons are FAR further away from the keyboard than you are used to. Making it harder to be accurate in either direction. You CAN use a multi-switch pedalboard (I love them!) but many players are uncomfortable with their feet doing that much.

So firstly, having a controller with nothing on the top panel gets important so you can get it very, BERY close to the keyboard, and nowadays those are few and far between. Plus, if you DO use one, that limits you to modules with all the sliders you need, or a third device with sliders you can place next to the module. Now it’s all starting to become more trouble than it’s worth…

I used an RA90 back in the day, and still use my BK7-m happily, but not for style mode playing if I can help it..!

Well, the other option is to use a fully-featured controller, and map the style controls, etc., to the pads and sliders of the controller. I think DonM had success pairing a Roland A80 with the BK-7m using this approach.

When a manufacturer makes the decision to release a module, having pretty much any function that any player might need available via MIDI is super-important. (IMO it's important for any arranger or synth, period!) I think the BK-7m scores pretty well in this regard.

I agree with Paul's observation that the Audya module is huge and would be awkward to place above a keyboard. I have little experience with Ketron products, so I can't say how good their MIDI implementation is, or whether that approach would work.

There are a lot of panel functions that don’t get MIDI codes, and some manufacturers (I’m looking at you, Yamaha!) make the job of replicating standard functions MUCH harder by using sys-ex instead of standard PC/32/00 codes, which limits your choice of controller, not to mention making the job of mapping a lot harder.

If you are content with basic control, sure, it’s doable. But things like BassInv, Reset, Accel/Decellerando, Chord Sequencer controls, things like that are often left with no codes and have to be reached for on the module. Although they can be mapped to an FC7 switch with a BK7-m, many things have no MIDI code.

So you end up with the double whammy of having a ton of quite complex programming to set up all the controller’s top panel controls, and STILL having to dive a long distance for the module’s own buttons that have no code, because you can’t rest the module on the controller..!

It doesn’t really make much sense if you play a keyboard… Even if you want an 88 piano weight arranger, personally, I’d get a dumb no controls 88 and put the 76/61 right on top, B3 style. A lot of sounds (organ, clavinet, synths etc) are easier played on lightweight plastic even if the pianos and Rhodes’ are better with the weighted 88.

But for MIDI accordions, MIDI guitars, horn players etc. who aren’t playing much if any keyboards at all, perfect. I only use my BK7-m with my keytar, it’s brilliant for sitting in with full bands etc, but I’m not using the style section with those!