Hi Mike,
The arranger of a Roland VA keyboard can
be used as a sequencer.You could play as an
example on the Maj.track for all parts, drum
,bass and 6 accomp.tracks your music.On the
Min.track the next part of your music and on
the Seventh track again the following part.
Until now you used only the original part of the arranger. The same you could do on the
Original advanced, the variation and the
var.advanced track. Even the four fills and
the four intro's and endings could be used
for a sequence. In this case you use your
left hand only when you change to the next
part of your sequence. With youre right hand
you can play live.When you use the split
between the upper 1 and the upper 2 you can
play with two hands. When you place the split
for the arrangerpart, which now only should be used for changing the sequenced parts,in
that way that you have on the left part of
the keys just enough keys for playing a Maj.
a Min. and a Seventh chord you could play
live on nearly the whole keyboard while you
have at the same time your selfmade accom-
paniment .
I do not believe it is possible to alter
only the bass by changing chords and not in
the same time the other parts of the arran-
ger.About this last point I am not totally
sure and I will take an extra view in the
menu.
Mart Weeho

UDave and Mart

From what you guys have to say - sounds like my best bet for the example I gave - is to reserve only a small section of the left side of the keyboard for triggering chord changes - that way I am free to use most of the keyboard for full two handed playing without triggering a new chord accompaniment (when and if I don't want to)- that way I could record a longer sequence/midi passage to be used in a style as accompaniment - and play without running my left hand (comping) into the zone where it changes the chord.

did i get it??

Mike

ps - also - is it possible to save changes the split point as part of a variation - or part of a registration??

[This message has been edited by Mike H (edited 03-27-2002).]

Hi,

I wonder if Roland has heard the (negative)comments that were written. And indeed, I do not agree on all bad comments that the VA-series had to have. I create my own USP for about every song and everything goes very fast. That's just the way I think

But if Roland knows about the comments, what would they do about it in their follow-up?

Sander
A proud VA-7 player

Mike,
yes you can save the split point within a registration, but if you think to use the arranger the way you wrote, then I definitely advice a VA 76: on a VA 7 simply there isn't enough room (notes) to use your left hand that way.
Andrea

Dreamer

As to keyboard length - I am thinking to trigger the VA via my 88 key FP3 anyway - (regular piano action) - so room shouldn't be a problem. I'll just have to get used to reaching down aways with my left hand to play chords. Unlike the Ketro/Solton stuff - I don't think you can program the FC7 pedals to toggle between registrations or midi files to change split point or modes - but the VA76 at least has a couple of programmable pads that the VA7 didn't have.

Sander
As to Roland listening?? I sent them an email awhile back re: different ideas developed from comments on this board - here is what they sent me back:

Dear Mr. Heimbuch:

Roland Corporation U.S. has received your e-mail message regarding your
idea for Roland arranger keyboards. We appreciate your interest in Roland
products.

However, please be advised that for legal reasons, Roland Corporation U.S.
does not consider any unsolicited and unpatented third party ideas or
proposals. Therefore, unfortunately we cannot consider your idea at this
time. We trust that you can understand our position.

Thank you for your interest in Roland.

Very truly yours,

Fumie Wolff
Legal Secretary


How about them apples

Mike

What the HELL does THAT mean? I suppost it lets them off the hook for "stealing" other peoples idea's and calling them suggestions of their own! What a crock ! I am very surprised.

Awwww... that hurts! Roland seems not to care about his/her users on this point!

I did respond to that email from Roland- for what its worth I post it here just to follow up on my puny threat!!

Mike H

To Roland Corp:
Hello Fumie

Thanks for taking time to write back about my suggestions. I think you will
find however, if you look a bit deeper into the reality of not only what
Roland does - but what every other manufacturer of any item in the world
does - and that is to take full advantage of any idea that crosses anyone's
mind or desk at any time - that might add in some measure to sales or
marketability.

My ideas are neither original nor unique - and I do not value them so highly
as to think I am in posession of some incredible bit of knowledge. What I
have suggested has in fact been recommended by other users to not only
Roland but other arranger manufacturers as well - 3 of whom have implented
the chord recognition scheme I suggested as a direct result of unsolicited
customer input.

For me to get a mail reply stating that Roland corporation is not interested
in my suggestions simply because they didn't ask me for it - is
fundamentally stupid on alot of fronts - and ignores the obvious insult to
someone who clearly understands music and is a customer. It would be very
interesting to see if Mr. K felt the same way about 'unsolicited opinions'
if he was in the room with us while I shared my ideas with him. What you
might have said as a responsible employee, charged not only with
legalities - but also with some level of pr responsibility - is that "I will
pass your comments on to someone for examination."

For myself, I do understand your position - it is incredibly short
sighted - and I will pass your sentiments on to the readers of the internet
forums dealing with arrangers. I am sure they will be impressed that their
professional observations, comments and suggestions can't make it past the
receptionist.

regards
Mike Heimbuch

What Roland says is the policy of most of the
bigger international factories, not only in
music. It is nothing special, they have to
do this.It is to prevent claims!

Mart - a question for you on the VA

You mentioned that you could program a style accompaniment up to 64 measures if you wanted to. Can you do that as a variation within a style?? - Say you had one variation that was more typical/shorter - and had another that was longer - more like a sequenced accompaniment - in fact you could record it as such and convert it to style? Seems like if you wanted to play two handed with the left hand moving around some without triggering a chord change - you could set the split point pretty low and that long accompaniment could function more like a midi file you play against.

Mike H