The iPad apps Roland have out now communicate with the BK's strictly through MIDI, so the only things they can affect are parameters with MIDI controls, which is very little of the OS, in truth. And, of the things that DO have sys-ex, it doesn't really communicate with them either (I'm thinking MFX parameters, or the like).

So, at the moment, there is absolutely no way to run the entire arranger from an iPad as if it were the touch screen that is sorely missing. You can do some very basic functions, most of which are already on the front panel. It also simplifies naming and selection of Performances, SMF's and MP3's, and reorganizing the Performance Lists, a sort of DB function.

Strangely, though, one of our members at Roland-arranger.com wrote an entire G/E series editor that ran on the PC. Pretty much every parameter could be accessed via USB, and although it was written to be more of an editor than a replacement for the touch screen (didn't need to do that!), with some intelligent design and a touch tablet, it could have been.

Well, he's working on an editor for the BK series as we speak. So far, without Roland's help, much. He also thinks he might be able to port it from the PC to an iPad app in the future. But I'm thinking, if it can do that, it might be possible to also design it so it works as a touch screen for the entire machine... At least it might be a possibility.

So, in fairness, I think it might also be possible for Roland to do the same. And, of course, they have full and comprehensive data on how the thing works, and have the capabilities to add hooks into the OS if the iPad app doesn't run it entirely live (there might need to be some background caching of the BK-s status, for instance).

But whether they will will be another issue. Me, I'd happily pay good money for that, rather than it being a free iPad app as the current disappointing lot are. REALLY good money! And, to be honest, if it ran the BK's like the touch screen did on the G/E series, I cannot imagine a single BK owner not buying it either..!

You can buy a refurb iPad Mini (which has a screen much larger than the original touch screen on the G/E's) for as little as $270. $329 new... Let's be generous and say $100 for the software. So, another $400 or so onto the price of the BK-9 (if you haven't already got an iPad, like I don't!). That STILL puts the whole thing at $800+ less than we paid for new G70's.

That's a bargain!

Roland... want to make some easy money...?