I like many of the sounds on the Roland BK-9 and I do believe Roland has a hit on their hands. How big of a hit is yet to be determined. For instance, many arranger keyboardists on this and other arranger forums simply will not buy an arranger with 76 keys. Even though the BK-9 is extremely portable at 20 lbs. 12 oz. Therefore, it will eliminate roughly 1/2 of the arranger market right there. But there are thousands of keyboard players around the world that will gladly purchase an arranger with 76 keys, including me. Although the BK-9 obviously has several missing features that could also be a deal breaker for many people. No on-board speakers for one. No after-touch, no vocal harmonizer, no Sampler, no song lyric scroll except through the video output socket i.e. using an external monitor - like the $500 iPad that is required if you want to see things in color and view easily readable text.
So with the cost of an iPad it would bump up the price to $3,000 plus tax. Taxed at 8% (where I live) totals $3,240. Then you'll need a decent vocal harmonizer which can cost over $700 (if you don't already own one), such as the TC-Helicon Voice Live2 which costs $750. Now you're talking $4,050 with the Voice Live2. It all adds up.
Again, I like many of the sounds on the BK-9 and the styles seem very decent also. The bonus is the physical drawbars for the organs (and the reintroduced chord sequencer) and I'm guessing the key action is also much much better than the Yammie PSR s-950 and the Korg PA-600.
There are many things to like about the BK-9 and the most important aspect to me is the sounds. Although herein lies the dilemma for many people in my opinion. Do I spend $2,500 (the cost without the iPad or the vocal harmonizer) on a decent sounding arranger that lacks several high-end features? Or does a person wait for the next generation high-end arranger from Roland that will likely include all the missing high-end features but won't be available for another 4 to 5 years down the road? The time period between the G-70 and the BK-9 was 8 1/2 years! Roland is likely banking on people overlooking the BK-9 shortcomings because of the excessive wait time for the next generation high-end arranger keyboard to appear. In theory that could mean not until 2020 or later! Therefore, if you want a Roland high-end arranger (that unfortunately has several missing high-end features) you better jump on the band wagon now or you could end up waiting an extraordinarily long time for their next generation arranger to appear. I see Fran is a little hesitant to jump on the bandwagon but Diki will probably bite the bullet. Again, I like the BK-9 but I hate the idea of having to fork over $500 extra bucks just to see things in color.
I currently own a bunch of Roland gear but I could just as easily sit this one out if it turns out the monochromatic (1980's era) LCD screen(s) don't cut the mustard. Although it seems quite apparent to me they definitely cut the cheese. Cheesy is an understatement. I definitely
WON'T buy an iPad that's for sure.
When a company does something right I applaud them. When a company does something that negatively affects consumers, I call them out on it. Money is the biggest motivator for a lot of companies. In other words, money often overrules ethical business practices and/or the desire to put the customer first. It's sort of like a fishing expedition. The fish in the sea are you and me and the fishermen are the various companies wanting to sell their various products. These carefully planned products are baited with a certain amount of goodies and the fish are supposed the take the bait... hook, line and sinker. You know, like the situation with the Tyros1/2/3/4 and so forth.
Yes, a business is of course in business to make a profit but Yamaha took that concept to a ridiculous level regarding the Tyros in my opinion. Greed is the only word to describe it if you ask me. But I digress.
On the bright side the BK-9 is probably around half the price of Yammie's Tyros4 successor. In other words, $2,500 (sans iPad, sans harmonizer) vs. $5,000+ for the new Tyros which will undoubtedly have a beautiful color, high resolution LCD screen and a vocal harmonizer included. But there are rumors circulating that claim Yamaha has decided to quit making high-end arrangers and will instead deal exclusively in low to mid-range arrangers. A real shame if it's true. On the other hand some sources say Yamaha will in fact release a Tyros4 successor by the end of this year. Only Yamaha knows for sure. Although if Yammie does release a Tyros4 successor and it costs $5,000+... it better be worth it. No way is the Tyros4 worth its current price in my humble opinion. As we know there is a devoted passion and strident following concerning the Tyros series keyboard. The first one cost $2,499 - introductory offer - (the one I bought) and Yamaha conveniently took advantage of its popularity and more than doubled the price in just eight short years. Although it's a cunning marketing scheme it's terrible for consumers who end up paying through the nose. Although a lot of people don't mind paying through the nose for a certain product and that's the people Yamaha is trying to take advantage of. If people continue paying exorbitant price(s) for each successive generation of Yammie (or other manufacturer's) high-end arrangers, then Yammie (and other manufacturers) will undoubtedly continue to charge exorbitant prices to people who don't mind paying through the nose. Nosebleed anyone? That's why the BK-9 has sparked a lot of interest in my opinion. It's a competitively priced product but the cheesy LCD screen(s) and the lack of other high-end features could end up being its Achilles heel. Especially when you consider a lot of people might forgo buying the BK-9 because of the necessity to purchase an iPad to see things in color. Most people
don't own an iPad and $500 bucks is $500 bucks. To most people that serious dough and may prevent them from buying the BK-9 unfortunately. Although Roland must have factored that into the equation. Time will tell if it does as well as they are hoping it will.
All the best, Mike
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