I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons | General Arranger Keyboard Forum

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#343653 - 04/14/12 10:26 PM I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons
mdorantes Senior Member Registered: 11/25/00 Posts: 1211 Loc: Queretaro, Mexico	I need advise from the Roland experienced users. I have a T4, PA 500 and MicroArranger, I want to add the Roland... I have heard that the newer BK5 has some new awesome styles, and so is the BK7m, so, I wonder, is it possible to add the styles from one to the other one....I plan to use it on some of the Ballroom dances. I appreciate your input. Thanks in advance. Manuel _________________________ mdorantes
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#343665 - 04/15/12 06:29 AM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: mdorantes]
hammer Senior Member Registered: 01/27/08 Posts: 2397 Loc: Texas	I don't think anyone here owns the BK5. Deane
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#343668 - 04/15/12 10:02 AM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: hammer]
TommyF Member Registered: 11/24/06 Posts: 648 Loc: Copenhagen, Denmark	The BK-7m and BK-5 use the same style format and they share the same sound engine, so you can take a BK-7m style and use it on the BK-5 and of course the other way around too. You can download the differing styles at the Roland Arranger User Club: http://www.roland-arranger.com/smf/index.php?topic=1741.0 _________________________ Yamaha PSR-S770, Korg Krome 61
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#343669 - 04/15/12 10:03 AM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: mdorantes]
Tonewheeldude Moderator Registered: 01/21/10 Posts: 1537	PLUS is the price and the package CON is you get what you pay for. For the price they are both very good value, but I personally don't find them much of an improvement over the old RA90 or the equivalent E series. But if Roland had put too much R&D time into anything more than design and programming it would have cost three times the amount. So if your after a new keyboard or module and are on a tight budget I think its probably the best you will get - and I would bet money that it sounds better amplified up than the equivalent Yamaha. Personally though I would rather buy a second hand Korg PA series or Ketron SD5/SD3.
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#343670 - 04/15/12 10:19 AM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: mdorantes]
Bill Lewis Senior Member Registered: 11/12/08 Posts: 2442 Loc: Bluffton/Hilton Head SC USA	I would also like to hear some opinions. BK7m midied to a good keyboard or the convenience of the all in one BK5 . I think thats the only difference but maybe some of our expert dealers or those who have played these who could weigh in. Also in this price range is the Korg PA500 which some are very positive about. Just went to the Guitar Center and Sam Ash and none of these are there for a tryout so what's a guy with cash to spend to do ????? Bill in NJ _________________________ Bill in SC --- Roland BK9 (2) Roland BK7M, Roland PK5 Pedals, Roland FP90, Roland CM30 (2), JBL Eon Ones (2) JBL 610 Monitor, Behringer Sub, EV mics, Apple iPad (2) Behringer DJ mixer
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#343672 - 04/15/12 11:43 AM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: mdorantes]
TedS Member Registered: 04/28/06 Posts: 807 Loc: North Texas, USA	The BK5 gives you increased ability to edit styles, and to create your own "user" styles. The BK-7m has a couple more options for connecting to a MIDI accordion or MIDI guitar. Neither one has a fully-featured on-board sequencer. (Beginning with this generation of product, I believe Roland expects you to use a PC-based software sequencer like Sonar LE.) However on the Roland Arranger forum, Diki expressed doubts about the reliability of transmitting dense arrangements to a PC via MIDI USB. If you really want an on-board sequencer, you might consider a Prelude or GW-8, which are still readily available and otherwise very similar. All of these options are about the same street price. My $.02. Edited by TedS (04/15/12 11:44 AM)
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#343676 - 04/15/12 01:29 PM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: TedS]
mdorantes Senior Member Registered: 11/25/00 Posts: 1211 Loc: Queretaro, Mexico	Thank you all, I really appreciate all your opinions and suggestions. Manuel _________________________ mdorantes
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#343677 - 04/15/12 02:10 PM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: mdorantes]
George Kaye Senior Member Registered: 11/24/99 Posts: 3305 Loc: Reseda, California USA	Manuel, I have both in my store.............Let me know if you have any questions. _________________________ George Kaye Kaye's Music Scene (Closed after 51 years) West Hills, California (Retired 2021)
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#343753 - 04/17/12 04:30 PM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: mdorantes]
Oscar1 Member Registered: 03/05/12 Posts: 33	I'd say BK7m hands down. You can use it with your own keybed (which would be always better choice than the bk5 keybed) and it can plug into anything, single channel, multi channel, even midi guitar or accordion. You can't do that with BK-5, you can't even address the arranger from external midi device so once you have bk-5 you are stuck with its keyboard. And it got 1.06 firmware finally. _________________________ Oasys, Karma, PSR 910
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#343755 - 04/17/12 06:46 PM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: mdorantes]
George Kaye Senior Member Registered: 11/24/99 Posts: 3305 Loc: Reseda, California USA	Oscar, I think you are mistaken about not being able to control the arranger from an external midi keyboard. I have a Yamaha PSRS910 being used as the controller into the BK5 keyboard midi input and it works fine. From the factory the "NTA" parameter in the "midi" section is sent to "off", but when you switch it to "on" you can have the keyboard of the Yamaha play and change chords on the BK5 just like you are playing on the BK5 itself. Edited by George Kaye (04/17/12 06:47 PM) _________________________ George Kaye Kaye's Music Scene (Closed after 51 years) West Hills, California (Retired 2021)
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#343806 - 04/18/12 04:49 PM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: George Kaye]
Oscar1 Member Registered: 03/05/12 Posts: 33	That is a good info George, I had BK-5 for a while but couldn't make this work (no wizard like on 7m) and at that time couldn't get any info how to make it work neither. But regardless if it worked or not it is not a premium or "main" keyboard from the mechanical point so its size created problem where to put it in the studio nicely so I can still access its buttons and it doesn't take much of my primary space. So I very quickly realized that yes, actually the module make far more sense. I mounted it on a speaker stand and can place it anywhere. It is funny, as a kbd I felt it as a cheap board and was very unhappy, the same thing in module form - and wow it has suddenly so many uses, sound module for kbd, "sonic cell" for PC, midi player and also an arranger module... It is really comic, because in fact it is the same thing in different box. I wish all of the keyboards I like are available in such form so I don't have to plan where to put it. _________________________ Oasys, Karma, PSR 910
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#343833 - 04/19/12 03:12 PM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: mdorantes]
DonM Senior Member Registered: 06/25/99 Posts: 16735 Loc: Benton, LA, USA	I played a BK-5 today. Personally, I like the module better, but it is still a nice little keyboard, especially for the price. DonM _________________________ DonM
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#343836 - 04/19/12 05:45 PM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: DonM]
Bill Lewis Senior Member Registered: 11/12/08 Posts: 2442 Loc: Bluffton/Hilton Head SC USA	Originally Posted By: DonM I played a BK-5 today. Personally, I like the module better, but it is still a nice little keyboard, especially for the price. DonM Still curious, please tell us why you like the module better? And where did you find one? When time permits I may have to just buy one of these to try from somewhere that offers a 30 day return policy and eat the shipping if I don't like it. Thanks in advance Bill in NJ _________________________ Bill in SC --- Roland BK9 (2) Roland BK7M, Roland PK5 Pedals, Roland FP90, Roland CM30 (2), JBL Eon Ones (2) JBL 610 Monitor, Behringer Sub, EV mics, Apple iPad (2) Behringer DJ mixer
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#343842 - 04/19/12 10:20 PM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: mdorantes]
DonM Senior Member Registered: 06/25/99 Posts: 16735 Loc: Benton, LA, USA	Our local music store got one in today and I happened to be there. I had to show them how to work it! I like the ability to address the module with an external keyboard controller. There are many things you can do that way that you can't do, or that are harder to do, on the BK5. For example, I have direct control (one-button) for all intros, endings and break/fill. On the BK5 you have to push two buttons to select the ending or intro you want, and there is no button for the break. I can also address sounds, variations, performances, fills, OTS, and countless other features all with single assigned buttons. Between 50 programmable buttons or sliders, the 5-button foot switch, sustain pedal on the controller and assignable pedals on the module, I have more than enough controls. Also, there didn't seem to be as many styles on the keyboard, but that could be a misconception. The keys felt really flimsy after playing the Korg PA3X, and they are really short too. Speakers sounded o.k., but certainly not loud enough for anything outside the home. The Sound Bank buttons double as OTS buttons. Not sure I like that either, but didn't play it long enough to form much of an opinion. I only played with it for maybe 15 minutes, so not certain my opinion is worth that much. DonM _________________________ DonM
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#343847 - 04/20/12 06:46 AM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: DonM]
Dnj Senior Member Registered: 09/21/00 Posts: 43703	Originally Posted By: DonM Our local music store got one in today and I happened to be there. I had to show them how to work it! I like the ability to address the module with an external keyboard controller. There are many things you can do that way that you can't do, or that are harder to do, on the BK5. For example, I have direct control (one-button) for all intros, endings and break/fill. On the BK5 you have to push two buttons to select the ending or intro you want, and there is no button for the break. I can also address sounds, variations, performances, fills, OTS, and countless other features all with single assigned buttons. Between 50 programmable buttons or sliders, the 5-button foot switch, sustain pedal on the controller and assignable pedals on the module, I have more than enough controls. Also, there didn't seem to be as many styles on the keyboard, but that could be a misconception. The keys felt really flimsy after playing the Korg PA3X, and they are really short too. Speakers sounded o.k., but certainly not loud enough for anything outside the home. The Sound Bank buttons double as OTS buttons. Not sure I like that either, but didn't play it long enough to form much of an opinion. I only played with it for maybe 15 minutes, so not certain my opinion is worth that much. DonM Exactly Don many reasons you mentions are why I didn't go the Bk5 route also....or teh Bk7 module either....thanx for the info.
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#343864 - 04/20/12 10:35 AM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: DonM]
Bill Lewis Senior Member Registered: 11/12/08 Posts: 2442 Loc: Bluffton/Hilton Head SC USA	Don Thanks for the update. I'd like to have it simple and "all in one" but the cheesy keyboard thats been mentioned a few times is not what I want. Using a dedicated controller sounds great except for all the programming you need to do but I guess it does give you the maximum flexibility. It seems more and more from what's going on in my area I may have to break down and start going the MP3 backing track route too so thats another consideration Thanks again for the informative post Bill in NJ _________________________ Bill in SC --- Roland BK9 (2) Roland BK7M, Roland PK5 Pedals, Roland FP90, Roland CM30 (2), JBL Eon Ones (2) JBL 610 Monitor, Behringer Sub, EV mics, Apple iPad (2) Behringer DJ mixer
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#343911 - 04/22/12 05:35 AM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: mdorantes]
DAN.2000 Senior Member Registered: 08/09/01 Posts: 1134 Loc: FRANCE	I have bought the BK5 Styles are good but most right hand sounds are cheap. BK5 is cheaper than BK7 and have a keyboard, so for me it's better. You can play missing BK7-m styles on the BK-5. I can almost play BK5 styles with vArranger and Ketron SD2. Some styles are very well played by pro musicians ! Roland styles are well balanced and efficient. Less drums in face than Ketron styles, and less smooth studio-like as Yamaha styles. For the price it is a good KB ! you can load any Roland styles from USB thumbs, and you can create you own style. _________________________ Regards, Dan https://www.varranger.com
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#343917 - 04/22/12 09:25 AM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: DAN.2000]
mirza Senior Member Registered: 11/15/01 Posts: 1314 Loc: london,ontario.canada	I bought bk5 for styles.And they are really good.I play mostly rock,pop,modern music styles and they are great.And I come from playing Pa800 . The bottom line is styles are as good as higher end Korg or Yamaha.And all for $999. _________________________ MIKIMIKI TYROS 5,BEHRINGER X32PRODUCER,YAMAHA DSR112,JBL PRX618s XLF,EV ZLX12p,SENNHEISER E945,....ETC
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#344033 - 04/24/12 05:29 PM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: mirza]
Diki Registered: 04/25/05 Posts: 14194 Loc: NW Florida	I haven't been able to look at a BK-5 yet, but for those thinking about a BK-7m instead, because of the flimsy keys issue, perhaps, if you already have a good feeling controller keyboard, you might STILL be better off with the BK-5, and have a two manual system (BK-5 is supposed to be very light weight) with the controller being the main controller, and the BK-5 being the 'extra' manual? Some sounds are actually BETTER to play on quite lightweight keys (organs, woodwinds, solo synths etc), while others (pianos in particular) benefit from full or semi-full weight keybeds. Perhaps a full 88 wood, or 76/73 full or semi-full weight controller and the BK-5 as the secondary keyboard would be a VERY flexible system..? _________________________ An arranger is just a tool. What matters is what you build with it..!
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#344046 - 04/25/12 06:10 AM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: mdorantes]
Bill Lewis Senior Member Registered: 11/12/08 Posts: 2442 Loc: Bluffton/Hilton Head SC USA	Diki Been toying with the idea of a Casio PX3 piano/controller and a BK7m. The problem would be running all the cables and setting up two modules. Midi splitter for my Harmony M and BK7m, the dreaded 9V adaptors, 1/4" cables and then how to set it up and be compact. Especially for those 1 hr. in/out gigs. The idea of bringing in a light keyboard and eliminating some wires is nice but feeling like I'm playing a toy just ruins it. Bill in NJ _________________________ Bill in SC --- Roland BK9 (2) Roland BK7M, Roland PK5 Pedals, Roland FP90, Roland CM30 (2), JBL Eon Ones (2) JBL 610 Monitor, Behringer Sub, EV mics, Apple iPad (2) Behringer DJ mixer
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#344068 - 04/25/12 01:36 PM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: mdorantes]
Diki Registered: 04/25/05 Posts: 14194 Loc: NW Florida	Well, you are still going to have to deal with the Harmonizer issue whether you went BK-7m or BK-5. I am not sure a splitter would be needed... I think the BK-7m (and probably the BK-5) have a soft 'Through' for Midi... Just run the harmonizer downstream (or doesn't the Harmonizer have a 'through'?). As long as you are comfortable playing ALL sounds from a piano keybed, then probably the BK-7m makes setting up and controlling it from an external keyboard the easiest (I don't think the BK-5 has the 'Wizard' setup tools the BK-7m has) but in all probability, the BK-5 can do the same setup, you probably have to set the MIDI up more conventionally. But the BK-5 has no FC-7 multi-switch input, which means you will HAVE to run much of it from the BK-5's panel. Decisions, decisions! _________________________ An arranger is just a tool. What matters is what you build with it..!
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#503436 - 08/02/21 12:51 PM Re: I want to buy a Roland, BK5 or BK7M? Pros and Cons [Re: George Kaye]
Dengizich Member Registered: 07/19/21 Posts: 74	Hi, what means "NTA" and where can I find it? Later I found it Note to arranger... Edited by Dengizich (08/02/21 12:56 PM)
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