Roland BK3 + iPad at NAMM

Odd....looks no no version for the BK-5 - just checked the App Store - ahh but checking the Roland apps page shows it is fine for ALL the BK range

I'll just duplicate a post I put up at Roland-Arranger.com, to save you all surfing around... I'm hoping that I get egg all over my face when how wrong I am is pointed out to me, but I've read the manual and can't find it...



The good news is, if Roland owners get a hold of Roland and ASK for a screen in the app to do this, perhaps an update could address most of this. But if you don't ask, you don't get...

That’s the beauty of software; features can easily be added as requested.

Unfortunately most manufactures will only give you these additional features if you purchase a new instrument (Thus forcing you to change your instrument to get them) so that they can make more dosh from the punters.

Hopefully as users move over to using Tablets etc. (I still say have a basic arranger with all the memory and processing required, then just plug in your tablet with the software and features you want) it will force manufactures out of the “buy a new instrument if you want new features” mentality, just like software vendors have had to adapt in the computer market.

Bill

Hmmmm ... I get the feeling this may go the way of computer software where the manufacturer releases half baked software thinking they can update it later when it suits them. I want a keyboard to be working just as I want it. I don't want to be forced to have carry an iPad and have to poke at that during a live performance. While iPad connectivity sure is a cool feature I don't want it to have to become essential to me performing live with a keyboard.

Nigel I totally agree,....
I don't need no stinkin iPad!! Just more crap to carry and set up. Just want everything I need "on board" and working correctly for my needs.

Your both missing the point, the tablet would clip into a basic arranger and look and operate just like arrangers do today, (But with a nice big touchscreen) however the spec would be what YOU wanted not what the manufacture says you need.

Bill

No Ipad for me either. Waste of money. Better buy a labtop or PC with real power. The PA600 already has a nice big touch screen.

I was thinking the IPad would be a great tool for programming faster, not necessarily an on the job editor. I do very little adjusting on the job. If something is really off I try to make a note of it and fix it when I get home.
Am I wrong in thinking this App can be used for editing, even down to the sub menus?

It isn't really a full featured editor... TBH, I am a little confused as to the usefulness of the BK Partner app other than a good way to edit Performance lists. But you can't use it to CREATE full Performances, from what I can see.

One thing is IS useful for might be to add the 'Favorite Tones' feature from the BK-3, which hasn't made it to the BK-5's (or BK-7m's) OS yet. You can set up the ten buttons for Tone access to call up your ten most favorite sounds, no matter what Bank they are in. A handy feature, only on the BK-3 so far. But the iPad app can do it, so there's ONE live use for it, anyway!

There's a possibility that the hooks into the deeper OS features can't be addressed, but I don't know for sure. But as popular as these apps are, especially with younger buyers (mind you, how many youngsters are going the arranger route in preference over WS/Synth/Stage keyboards?) perhaps this is the way to bring them into the fold?

The Lyric Viewer app seems pretty handy, and may address some of the shortcoming in the way that PDF's are handled by the keyboard itself, and the Scale Editor seems a boon for those using it for Middle Eastern and other non-Western scale musics.

But all in all, I'm pretty disappointed in how little usefulness this Partner app has, so far. But with feedback from its customers, perhaps it can be addressed. I think we are all faced with budget arrangers with fewer and fewer actual buttons on them, as manufacturers look to cut costs, and many functions that used to be right there where you needed them get buried in menus. Here is the perfect opportunity to restore the full functionality without raising the cost of the arranger itself.

Let's hope they see it our way...

There are so many people, players, etc, etc,...that don't even know what apps are let alone configure them to integrate with a computer keyboard Os systems workings...why do they assume?
Then have to buy a tablet that costs half as much as the keyboard like the BK3 etc..
why not just play the ipad?

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pro-keys/id364419812?mt=8

I understand what you are saying Bill. As I said iPad connectivity sure is a cool feature. But looking at that BK-3 demo the iPad definately does not clip into the BK-3 but requires you to have an extra stand just to accomodate it. The nice thing about the new Casio synths is that they have somewhere built into the keyboard to hold an iPad.

I rather like that there is no forced position for the iPad. Some might like the iPad front and center, but some might want it over to the left, more out of your line of sight with the audience, etc..

And, let us not forget. Most musicians that already have an iPad already have some form of mounting hardware. There are mic stand adapters so you don't need to carry an extra stand, and many arrangers have a music stand, which would support the iPad front and center if that's where you'd want it...

Plenty of musicians already use iPads for lyrics viewers, SMF and MP3 playback, etc.. I guess my major beef is that it is iOS only right now. It's a shame the is no OSX version too. I'm not sure in its current form whether I'd need it on the gig. But as an easy Performance List editor, I sure could use one at home to organize my set lists. But with no iPad yet, I guess I have to wait for an OSX version.

This brings up a larger question, of course. Is the world better now that there are at least THREE more incompatible OS's (iOS, Android, bada) with apps that won't run on a computer or laptop? It must be a developer's nightmare. Time was, Windows or MacOS, and you were done. Now we have so many more choices. But are we better off for it?

I think this is a good direction to go for both the consumers & manufactures. Apps can add features that are not possible to add on the keyboard (hardware). One good example i'm waiting for are virtual sliders to control styles or smf parts similar to Audya, E80/G70 of PA3X.