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#502154 - 02/02/21 08:18 AM Re: Modifying styles on a BK-9...special techniques? [Re: Delkeen]
Diki Offline


Registered: 04/25/05
Posts: 14182
Loc: NW Florida
It’s probably in there somewhere, but it’s been the Roland Way for quite a while.

In truth, I expect it’s the same procedure on all arrangers that don’t have dedicated buttons for each Intro and Ending.

There’s also another way to get direct access to all the Divisions with just one button.... All Divisions can be selected by MIDI, so this gives you the option of using MIDI pedals or tablets to select an Intro or Ending with just one press. Sadly, the Roland BK Partner app only duplicates the front panel, it’s a shame they didn’t design it to offer greater choice by having all Intros and Endings freely selectable.

And if you have an FC-7 you could do the whole thing (but back to the two press process) hands free!
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An arranger is just a tool. What matters is what you build with it..!

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#502160 - 02/03/21 08:17 PM Re: Modifying styles on a BK-9...special techniques? [Re: Diki]
Delkeen Offline
Junior Member

Registered: 01/03/21
Posts: 28
Loc: Pennsylvania
Thank you! Some more options to consider!

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#502164 - 02/05/21 10:24 AM Re: Modifying styles on a BK-9...special techniques? [Re: Delkeen]
Diki Offline


Registered: 04/25/05
Posts: 14182
Loc: NW Florida
BTW, FC-7’s are getting harder and harder to find, but all they are in essence is dumb momentary switches, so constructing your own custom switch setup is relatively easy, from as small as a simple dual switch that you can buy anywhere, to a repurposed Korg EC5 five switch pedal, to any combination up to seven pedals placed anywhere you want...

Think about what you need, how you are best going to use your feet to do what you want, and a solution will present itself.

Personally, I find being able to change Variations without moving away from playing to be wonderful (I like to use Pianist Mode a lot), and when playing with SMF’s and MP3’s being able to change Performances hands free (using Perf Up/Down) is great too...

About the only thing I wouldn’t recommend you use an FC-7 for if you find one is for sustain. The switches, although very reliable in normal use, aren’t really up to the task as sustain, which you use hundreds of times per song. Use a proper sustain pedal for that!


Edited by Diki (02/05/21 10:28 AM)
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An arranger is just a tool. What matters is what you build with it..!

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#502180 - 02/07/21 01:18 PM Re: Modifying styles on a BK-9...special techniques? [Re: Diki]
Delkeen Offline
Junior Member

Registered: 01/03/21
Posts: 28
Loc: Pennsylvania
Thanks, Diki.

I think I had mentioned to you privately, but years ago I constructed an FC-7 equivalent for my E-96. I have it set up on the BK-9, though will probably construct a new one with better construction than the "mock-up) I did back then. I used fairly cheap (and small) switches on a plywood panel. It still works, though switch 1 and 7 are doing the same thing. You likely already have this on this site, but I was able to track down an email print-out from Hans Neggers from Holland (around 1999) that showed the lay-out of the contacts for the G800. Just in case anyone is interested, I'm glad to share. I don't think that the G800 had the ability to modify the settings for the switches as we can on the BK series.

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#502182 - 02/07/21 01:27 PM Re: Modifying styles on a BK-9...special techniques? [Re: Delkeen]
Diki Offline


Registered: 04/25/05
Posts: 14182
Loc: NW Florida
Are switches 1 and 7 wired incorrectly, or you just have them set up that way?


Edited by Diki (02/07/21 01:27 PM)
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An arranger is just a tool. What matters is what you build with it..!

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#502187 - 02/07/21 06:08 PM Re: Modifying styles on a BK-9...special techniques? [Re: Diki]
Delkeen Offline
Junior Member

Registered: 01/03/21
Posts: 28
Loc: Pennsylvania
I haven't gotten to check yet. I think that it was wired correctly initially, so I may have a switch that is "shorting". Hopefully I'll get a peek at it this week.

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#502221 - 02/10/21 12:31 PM Re: Modifying styles on a BK-9...special techniques? [Re: Diki]
Delkeen Offline
Junior Member

Registered: 01/03/21
Posts: 28
Loc: Pennsylvania
Diki,

I was able to disassemble the homegrown FC-7 unit earlier this week, and found that one of my solder joints on the midi connector had worked loose. Cleaned and resoldered, and now switches 1 through 7 work with discrete assignments as before.

So, I'm up and running, but would still like to make another with upgraded switches. Something more like guitar box switch quality, unless I get lucky and find a non-functional FC7 that needs repair!

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#502231 - 02/11/21 10:16 AM Re: Modifying styles on a BK-9...special techniques? [Re: Delkeen]
Diki Offline


Registered: 04/25/05
Posts: 14182
Loc: NW Florida
I have often thought that I split pedal system might work better. One thing about using the FC7 is that you can get switches that can accidentally ruin a performance (start/stop, break, stuff like that) right next to switches you use constantly (variations, Leslie on/off etc).

Perhaps a system with four switches on your left for the variations, and three on the right for mission critical stuff that you don’t accidentally want to hit could work well…
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An arranger is just a tool. What matters is what you build with it..!

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#502239 - 02/12/21 06:25 PM Re: Modifying styles on a BK-9...special techniques? [Re: Diki]
Delkeen Offline
Junior Member

Registered: 01/03/21
Posts: 28
Loc: Pennsylvania
That's an intriguing approach, Diki. I often thought that my switches were simply too close together (never had spacing measurements from a real FC-7). But you're suggesting that even on that board, it is a challenge to avoid those critical switches. I'll give that "hybrid" design some more thought.

Thanks.

Del

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#502250 - 02/14/21 11:24 AM Re: Modifying styles on a BK-9...special techniques? [Re: Delkeen]
Diki Offline


Registered: 04/25/05
Posts: 14182
Loc: NW Florida
To be honest, I just avoid the whole issue... I simply don’t put show stopping functions on the pedalboard just in case!

I use1-4 as Variation changes with auto-fill on, 5 as Leslie fast/slow, 6&7 as Perf. Up/Down. That way the showstopper stuff is well separated from the variation switches.

I really wish Roland had made FC7 assignments per performance, or at least 8 of them, like MIDI Sets (linkable to Performances). I find what I need at my feet radically different when using styles than when using MP3’s or SMF’s. Tried for years to get them into improving this to no avail. Roland were always the brand with the least official discourse with their customers! 😢🙄
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An arranger is just a tool. What matters is what you build with it..!

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