The BK-9, on the whole, likes the Balance knob set away from noon down to about 10 o'clock (sometimes even 9) for my touch. If you play the factory presets about there, they sound MUCH better.

I also tend to push my Drums and Bass style Parts up from 100 to about 115... it's easier than backing off all the OTHER Parts!

Once you do that, the Roland gets quite nicely balanced on the whole (although most styles need work to sound their best).

I guess not enough people have played next to a drummer and bassist! Cut the legs out from under THEM, you've cut the legs out from underneath the entire band!

I think a feature arrangers could REALLY use is a separate balance control for the headphone and internal speakers compared to the main outs. That way, you can leave the backing loud and proud out front, but add a hair 'more me' to what ONLY you are listening to.

That would fix the problem!