Roland have come out with the second new OS for the BK-9, and it's a doozie! Version 1.06 is available at Roland's Downloads section: http://www.roland.com/support/article/?q=downloads&p=BK-9&id=63052872

There are some VERY significant new features...

Version history
[ Ver.1.06 ]
Please refer to the "BK-9 Addendum ( BK-9_AddendumV106_e1.pdf )" for detailed information.
[New functions]

Compatibility with BK-9 Performance editor.
Copy performances
a. Now you can copy one, several or all Performances from one Performance list to another.
Importing User Programs from G-/VA-/E-series.
The DYNAMIC ARRANGER
a. function allows you to control the volume of the accompaniments parts depending on the way you strike the keys in the chord recognition area (velocity sensitivity).
Mark&Jump function to variation 1-2-3-4- during the smf playing.
User Drum Kit
a. Added the possibility to edit some parameters that characterize the sound of a drum instrument.
Fade IN/OUT Setting
a. It is possible to set the Fade In and Fade Out time duration.
These parameters can be selected using [MENU] button -> "Global"
H.Bar Level Slider Assign (H.Bar Level)
a. This parameter sets the "H.BAR Level" slider (Red slider) to adjust either the overall organ volume level or the overdrive level.
Set the transpose to 0 in One Shot
a. Now you can set the transpose to 0 immediately, press the [KEY] button while the display shows the "KEY" pop-up window.
MIDI (Rx Common Exp)
a. This parameter allows you to specify that Expression messages received on the channel you select here (1~16) should affect all of the BK-9's parts (except for the song parts). Selecting "Off" Expression messages should only affect the part that receives on the MIDI channel used by the Expression messages.
Pedal Controller FC-7
a. You can use the FC-7 footswitch unit Board to activate the Audio Phrases. The Audio Key function uses the 7 right most keys of BK-9's keyboard. If you want these keys available to play notes, you can assign the activation of the Audio Phrases to the optional FC-7 footswitch unit Board.
Assign Switches (Unlock All function)
a. You can to unlock in one shot all filters acting when changing performances.
Scale Tune Switch
a. The "Scale Tune" settings now can be applied to the Upper1 and Upper2 separately.
Linking a MIDI Set to the Performance memory
a. You can link a User MIDI set to the Performance memory.
Performance Hold (New filters added)
a. Three new filters "Assign Switches" and "DBeam" and "MIDI Set" were added.
One Touch Hold (New filters added)
a. Two new filters "Assign Switches" and "DBeam" were added.

It is great to have the Dynamic Arranger back... and the Mark/Jump feature for SMF's.

G70 UPS import is very handy for us going from one to a BK-9 (but architecture is somewhat different, so I'll have to see how well it works)

And putting the audio loops onto the FC-7 (so you can still use the full keyboard for regular playing) is something I wanted right from the start (would hate to accidentally trigger one!)

Plus the housekeeping tools to help you move Performances around between different Performance Lists is really handy!

Fantastic job, Roland... keep it up!

There's also a ton of bug fixes...

Did you notice a ton of bugs, Diki? So far your reviews have been pretty positive.

And to add to Daves question - now that you have had it a while Diki, can you give another opinion on the keybed?

Thanks

Dennis

Important BK-9 tip before you update to v1.06

The update wipes out ALL your Global settings (and there is no way at present to save them to USB).

So, before you do the update, write down all your Global and Utility settings.

On paper! How 20th century

TBH, guys, I hadn't come across any of these yet.. but I'm on a fairly heavy live band playing schedule, so I haven't exactly been pushing my BK-9 hard yet. Just mostly Makeup Tool-ing my sequences and styles.

But here's the list:

[Bug Fixes]
The following bugs were fixed.

The C1 value is not recalled on performance
The MBS key touch doesn't work correctly
Select the same tone in up1 and up2, now the window doesn't refresh
a. Power on.
b. Select 0001 GranPiano1 to up1.
c. Select 0001 GranPiano1 to up2.
d. Try to change the part up1 and up2 but the window always shows only one part.
The fade in doesn't work perfectly on MIDI Files
The slider of CC1,CC2,CC3 show wrong values (0~127)
Wrong Supernatural sound with MP3 and USB midi
a. Connect USB MIDI to a PC (Windows) and power on.
b. Select mp3 (U2 - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.mp3).
c. Press Play.
d. Select SuperNatural trumpet.
e. Play trumpet.
you will hear a remarkable delay in note on and off (similar to hold effect....).
Wrong SRB Styles
Wrong behaviour in smf Makeup tools and in Style Makeup tools
a. Load a midi file or a style.
b. Enter in Make up tools.
c. Select the drum part.
d. Select Drum istrument field.
e. Change the velocity value (es. + 40).
f. Change the Drum Istrument value.
The Velocity value is 40 again.
The mixer environment doesn't refresh
a. Select Style "001 Space Beat".
b. Press ONE TOUCH 3 (then you select H. BAR).
c. Press MIXER to select the PART MIXER screen.
d. Remain the mixer open and press ONE TOUCH 4 (then you select "SC Loud Gtr").
Now there is no MIXER PART for UP1 !!
The numeric function doesn't work in left screen (tone number).
The rhythm intro is cut when you use the audio loop.
the Lock rhythm function doesn't change the tempo of the style.
In style composer the Time signature is not set in INTRO 2.
It's impossible to select the tone number of the user tone family that has pc=127.
MFX2 CTRL1 Sens/Source not recalled at performance change.

And the action is very nice, despite not being my G70's action.

The keys are about 1/2" shorter than the G70's (by comparison, a full sized piano key is 1/4" longer than the G70's) but only 1/8" shorter than say a Korg Triton.

Width is standard (13" for 2 octaves) the same as regular pianos and most everything 'normal' sized.

I find the action very crisp and precise, comfortable on key-down, with none of the sponginess from the BK-5/3 in the springing. Mind you, even the BK-5/3 are MUCH better than the PSR action on the S950 (yes, I've played one!). Can't for the life of me understand how a $2000 keyboard can feel that bad!

All in all, I can play very comfortably on this keybed (the BK-9's). No, it isn't QUITE as good as the G70's, and it does have a piano style 'lip', so palm smears run the risk of snagging a little bit more than the G70 (but side to side stability is very good, no play, so so far this isn't an issue - organ playing is very comfortable), and sadly, no aftertouch... (I still don't understand why Roland cut THAT corner!) but all in all, I am very pleasantly surprised.

I have a friend with a PA3X61, and it compares quite well to that. You guys know how picky I am about actions... I wouldn't be endorsing this one if it didn't meet my needs.

I am content.

It is good to see that Roland are continuing to update their instruments (Some of the large updates obviously at cost) rather than forcing you to buy a new instrument to get them. (Yamaha take note)

Bill

All updates are free... (was that what you meant?)

The iPad apps range from free to $5. Hardly going to break the bank.

Didn't the Abacus cost quite a bit to upgrade?

Roland Upgrade

It was price on application from dealers, which manifested as roughly $1200 in the US and £1500 in the UK.

As to the Abacus, which update/upgrade are you talking about as there have been many over 13 years (There’s been 46 in OAS 7 alone and that didn’t come out till 2005) not forgetting that the Abacus is part of the Organ Not Keyboard range.

Bill

That's a sound expansion upgrade (like sound packs for Yamaha's, sampled expansion sounds for Korg's etc., ALL of which cost money!) as well as an OS revision.

From a post by you a few years ago:


Full post is here: http://leighwilbraham.forumchitchat.com/post/Wersi-Abacus-OAS-6-2036451 How much have you put into your Abacus over the years, Bill? LOL

There is considerable totally new stuff and a lot of older features not included in the original OS for the BK-9, all completely free. Roland do a great job of extending the lifespan of their arrangers (they brought out an OS3 for G70 two YEARS after it was introduced!) at no cost.

There is a feature not yet implemented for the BK-9 where you WILL be able to add additional sounds (new samples) to the internal ROM, and that (like the Atelier update) will be a paid for addition. But OS upgrades have always been free for the arrangers, AFAIK.

Looks like with the updates..the BK9 is back on my list...

Has anyone tried SMF with markers from the E and G series on the BK9...Are they compatible?

I wonder if the problem I had with G70 exclusive reading on the BK series..was corrected...If someone can check these points out...I would appreciate knowing the facts...


Now if I can overcome the lack of a touch screen....although it looks to be the ipad in the near future...


I really don't think I could be happy with a Korg..on the surface it has the features I could use....but I so much rather have a compatible instrument to my G70..

The markers, and new updates to the BK9..definately has me rethinking the Korg consideration..

After spending some time on the Yamaha s950 again...I ruled it out..Poor keys and still no touchscreen..
The Korg was a consideration because of the touch screen..

Markers seem to come in just fine. Same system as the G70. The four Variation buttons are used for the Markers (so I'm hoping this can be used in an update to the other BK's, especially the BK-7m)

The issue you had was with Yamaha XG codes in the sys-ex preventing the Makeup Tools from being used. Remove the offending sys-ex, and all was fine. Did you check it out? http://www.roland-arranger.com/smf/index.php?topic=2015.0

As the BK-9 has a full MIDI sequencer, you can remove the codes there, or, as I think I suggested, write a Sonor 'batch' program to remove it from ALL your SMF's in one go.

The loss of the touchscreen is quite a handicap, but it looks like the iPad app is going to restore much of the functionality. But, in fairness, how much do you end up navigating around during a gig? If you write a Performance per song, you probably don't need to a whole lot. MY problems come from I'm using the G70 as a live band keyboard (no auto anything!) and I often get called to play songs I have no setup for yet... This makes the touchscreen of much more importance!

But I'm going to try the BK-9 Performance editor out on a friend's iPad... if it helps me create setups on the fly as easily as I did from the G70's screen, that's it for the G70!

I'm going BK-9 all the way!

All the updates for the Pegasus Wing Arranger have also been free, with another expected later this year. (Which will be about 2 ½ years after launch)

OAS 7 was a large OS and sound update also. (Creamware’s Scope engine was replaced with Steinberg’s Hypersonic VST engine with 300 new sounds added)

The Hardware in my Abacus gets upgraded when I upgrade my computer (I just transfer the old computer parts to the Abacus) so no dedicated cost there.

Software wise including OAS 7 (Which also required a new SG card) about £750 over 10 years, (My Abacus now has exactly the same as a brand new instrument, even though it is 10 years old) and as there is no comparison between old and new I am sure you will agree is very good value, and much cheaper than most users who have changed their boards more than once in that time (The vast majority of arranger players) to get incremental upgrades.

The last update was May/June last year (Free) with another expected later this year. If you want to know what changed in the update then it contained a brand new and advanced drum editor. (If you wish to see the differences look at page 48 for the old drum editor and page 11 for the new drum editor in the OAS7 Programming manual V2 which can be downloaded here )


Bill

BTW, Fran, I've been Makeup Tooling all my G70 sequences in the BK-9. Although they were heavily edited in the G70, I haven't had a single ONE refuse to be worked on by the BK-9.

Your problem was with Yamaha sys-ex in the file.