OK - ROLAND ... are you listening?????

I need your help ROLAND Corp.
I need you to update whatever you need to in the BK7m so that it remembers what we write into performances. ALL of what we write. The manual says it can remember tempo lock, expression on/off and others, and my unit does not.

Lucky for me - I don't need to take this out on the road anytime soon. I can take the extra time in my studio to REset up the parameters that it seems to ignore, but if you want this animal out in the trenches where all my people will see and hear it in action - you need to make it a little more "together". No disrespect to the company or the product, but it does not do what it says it can.

Issues:

1) will not remember the performance that is set to default. It remembers SOME of the parameters, but not all of it... style and name are 2 things that it "forgets"

2) seems to forget expression and tempo lock setting all the time. Even after I load in a new performance with the correct data. It had short term memory loss.

3) It'd be great if the auto accompaniment would turn off when you select MANUAL bass. Or, at least let us write a performance with the arranger off and the manual bass on. You'd think this was possible, as it states in the book, but in reality, the arranger still over-rides the selection. I have to mute every arranger part in a performance if I want to use manual bass. Not good.

4) switching performances NEED to be able to ignore style and tempo. Lots of us change performances during a song, but we NEED to keep the style that's running consistent. All I want to do is add fresh tones to the arrangement on the fly, and keep the drummer and bass player on task. C'mon ... this has been possible forever.

I am using v1.04 ..... v. 1.05 only mentions additions that don't apply to me. Time for 1.06 please! I need help!!!!!!!

I 90% love this thing - give me that extra 10% please???????

Dave,
I am glad to see your post because I thought perhaps I just didn't "get it" but I have seen some of the same problems with saving or trying to save performances.

Deane

You're not nuts Deane .... this thing is 90% done ... still needs another 20 minutes in the oven! But sometime, I just love undercooked cookie dough, or really soft, raw-ish bread too .....

Oh No...Do I see a package deal on ebay soon?.....Bk7m/Vk7

Oh yeah ..... need room for synth du jour!
Fast sale price $1799 delivered for both!

You guys are doing the right thing...Roland doesn't want bad press, so let them know what you want done. Publicly!

Sounds like it could be accomplished with an operating system update, since this thing is based on Roland's older arranger technology.

And while they are at it, they can add rootless voicings for the more accomplished pop and jazz players.

It is a nice little rig...it could be a really nice little rig.

Ian

Now that's a great Deal Dave for the .Bk7m & Vk7 ...Wow!!

I know .... who's in?

I don't know Dave...why not wait and see if they fix the problems?

Ian

I think Dave has eyes in line for a Korg Pa3x.. to replace the Pa800 Hmmmm?

The PA3X is nice, but wouldn't the Roland BK-7m be a bit hard to sell considering it has issues?

Ian

The 800 is going NOwhere. If I get something else for home, then that'll be something fun, but I think there's still a market for this module. It's just not a question of balance for me ..... I tried everything I know - it has some shortcomings that make it less desirable, but not obsolete by a long shot. I could play a night with it this week, but it'd take more concentration then I'm used to.
So ...VK-8 on the block! BK7m - on the block! Start the bidding!

It's really not a pressing issue because it's not my live rig. I'd be very happy having this setup at home for a while. No rush, but I will take a fast sale.

Dave,
I have had mine for sale for 2 weeks - not a single inquiry yet.
In my opinion the module is best suited for someone with lots of time and patience. It certainly can be made to sound pretty good but with my gig schedule it would be a long time before I would get it ready for prime time. I used it yesterday on a gig just to see how it would work and it did just fine - BUT - the sound was nowhere near what I want on a regular gigging basis. And like Dave has indicated - it is a bit harder than it should be to save setups the way you want them to be.
Deane

Well Dave as usually at least you gave it a good try......it will make someone very happy..no shame in trying. If it's not a right fit so be it theres plenty other gear out there and MORE on the way soon. I knew right away once Fran cancelled the Bk7m order three times something wasn't right. This waiting is taxing my patience but I'm sticking to my plan and sitting back until the right thing comes along. Good luck in your next venture.

You know, at this moment, there is no better solution for my home rig than this BK7m ... I just had high hopes that it might do some road duty one day too. I'm disappointed, but it's very, very usable in it's present setup. When I'm recording, I have the extra time to fuss and make setups. It'll get used happily at home until it's sold. I have a few more ways to try it out before I am 100% sure of what I think of it.

If I was doing a midi-guitar single, I think it might be a killer addition...or accordion too, or grand piano even. I just have so many quirks and old habits that are hard to break. I believe some of the limitations are merely oversights, and my be upgraded in future OS additions.

I don't understand why you sell it if it usable in its current setup. I can think of dozens ways to use this great module with my PA3x.

Oh Fran ... you haven't been here long enough to know how fickle some of us are with music gear. Hell - I've been married 3 times - does THAT explain my personality a little? LOL I DO like the module, and it will get lots of use in the studio. maybe someday, Roland will update the bugs, but for now - it's fine for what it does. I'm just not married to it (or anyone) at the moment.

Maybe #4 will be the charm Dave don't give up on happiness!