Roland BK-7m discontinued!

I just realized on the Roland website that the BK-7m is no more listed, and when entering it in the search, it says 'discontinued'.
I really hope Roland is not so stupid to abandon this module without preparing a successor!
http://www.roland.com/products/bk-7m/

Maybe Roland will bring a new Totl Arranger module.. Love to see the features of the integra 7 combined with an advanced arranger module... No screen required, let them just use ipad, or android or windows tablet as the screen..

(Altough Roland really should also add midi pads, not just audio ones)

Arranger modules are the most underestimated keyboard instrument... With a good arranger module, younhave so much more choice of keyboards... Want a stagepiano or a workstation, everything is possible..

At Thomann, the BK-7m shows 30 customer reviews, mainly positive. 30 reviews is a high number in comparison to other keyboards at Thomann, it shows it was a good seller.
http://www.thomann.de/de/roland_bk7m.htm#bewertung
I really hope Roland is preparing something, but realistically they seem to have moved away from the BK line, which had been developed by "late" Roland Europe. As they have focused on the low/mid priced market in the past year (there's also a new Roland Juno Di successor!), I guess if they release a new module it will be around the 1,000€ mark.

Maybe they developed the Roland E-A7m?!?

http://www.rolandus.com/products/e-a7/

After the demise of Roland Europe in early 2014, Roland Japan announce the end of production of the V Accordion line. And the rumors flew! It was widely speculated that the company who bought out Roland Europe would take over production.

However,
"Los Angeles, CA, September 4, 2014: Roland Corporation is pleased to announce that a new production and outsourcing agreement with FATAR Srl. has been finalized, and manufacturing for the V-Accordion® line resumed in Italy in August." (of 2014)

And while they have discontinued some models of the V Accordion, my dealer assures me that a new one can be had.

It is my understanding that Roland Europe is where the BK-7M was assembled. So maybe FATAR will take on production of the BK as well. Hate to see it go! IMHO it was one generation away from being a really great module.

Just a thought,
Don P

Unfortunately, you are wrong in this detail. Roland Europe developed the BK-7m, but I still have the packaging from 2012, and it says "Made in China". Manufacturing of the module had always been in Asia already.

Yeah, I like the BK7,I use it with my accordion all the time.


https://m.soundcloud.com/parisandbeyond/franks-accordion-mix-demo

Frank

Very sad to hear that, unless, like you said, they're coming out with a successor. I'd love to see one with SRX sounds and even SuperNatural sounds in it. I'd be a sure winner!

Let's hope they are preparing something better in the module version. Bk-7m is really bang for the buck. Would like to see a bigger module(even as big in size as the m3 or blofeld) which has more dedicated buttons or even a large touch screen.

And I also agree with a point you made about few of the, otherwise good, SN sounds.. they sound artificial when they add permanent and prominent sample vibratos to soundsat all times. It would be better if arranger manufacturers trigger these sound modelling effects using a smooth mechanism such as pressure on pedal or Dbeam or even a pbend like lever. It would offer more control compared to buttons.

And yes I would also like to see expansion options for the next module.

Some of the features that I feel could make it more interesting and fun to use is to have a - - a combi creator to stack up sounds quickly
- app to assemble and combine various style parts to come up with great new user styles.

Let's hope Santa at Roland comes up with a surprisingly good successor for Christmas

Does anyome agree with me that there is a market for a high end Roland arranger module at around €2000?

How would this differ from the Integra so as it wouldn't compete, or, would they discontinue the Integra ?

it would be an arranger module in the formfactor of the bk7... and not a 19' module like the integra... i think those are very very different things

Such a module wouldn't need to have ALL of the Integra's 6,000 (!) tones, but a good share of the SN Acoustic tones (more than the 22 of the BK-9) and good expandibility with virtual SRX expansions. But I don't think it would be wise of Roland to make it much more expensive than 1,500 euros, as the market of higher-priced arrangers is thin and due to Roland's weak position and image in this segment it may be too much of a business risk in their current situation.

They could also choose to create something new... Like hardware controller for an arranger app running on an ipad using the sounds of the integra 7... They could sell a controller the size of a bk7 for €300 complete with the app using some basic sounds... And let people upgrade their basic set with an integra 7 ...


There is more ways of selling arranger modules..

Yes Bachus... I do agree with you that there is a market for high end arranger modules. arranger keyboard manufacturers could create a segment of its own if it were to give all the functionality and sonic capability of a TOTL arranger keyboard into a module. I would not mind even if it's longer than the bk-7m form factor but smaller than Audya 4

Eu quero um Módulo tyros5 ou um Mólulo PA4x.

We had the arranger Module period years ago its old news now...
looks like it didn't make money for manufacturers so they have moved on. Computer programs can do so much more. I never liked hooking up all those wires every time to set up either. We are lucky to still have arranger KB's to enjoy the few companies that still make them for now.

The sales figures for the BK-7m were obviously quite good (number of reviews as said above). It makes a lot of sense for those who don't want their main instrument to be an arranger keyboard but rather a synthesizer and who don't want to carry two full-size keyboards.

Not only synth players...

Piano players
Accordeon players
gUitarists
Singers
Organists
I.e. Every musician wanting auto acompaniment, and not just keyboardists

I don't believe it will happen, but this could've been the best chance for Roland to break into the software arranger systems.
I think there is a potential market for this, obviously the first one to try could have an advantage for the years to come...

Well, I guess it's too risky and maybe not worthwhile, but just imagine. A software arranger from Roland!

Indeed, I am increasingly curious who will be the one of the major players who will take this big step. And when.

I dont think there is enough money in software arrangers, as people allways seem to want software for free..

I am talking about a hardware arranger module witouth screen, where you use an ipad as the touchscreen interface instead of a local screen.... much like the ipad app of the integra 7.

...well, if they attach the Ipad, I am all for it!

I understand what you are saying, we'll see how things will develop with Roland arrangers.

I just hope they add a proper break fill to styles! ;P

I dont mind if its Roland that does this, tough they seem like the most likely since they are currently really pushing things in different directions..

But i could also see Korg creating such modules based on Kronos or PA4x

However, i dont think yamaha will set this step with one of their topmodels, if they ever do so, they will try a lower tier instrument, and then wonder why it didnt work out..


There is one thing i know for sure, workstations and arranger workstations in the traditional 19" rack module form will not work, you want the controlls directly in reach

By the way it seems to be back on the German website of Roland

http://rolandmusik.de/products/bk-7m/

Which makes me doubt it is discontinued at all

Is it really back or hasn't it been removed yet? Don't give Roland Germany any credit, the support has become ridiculous since they moved from Norderstedt to the Rhine-Main region, dismissing all former employees. I and some other users of a German forum have tried several times to get some hints about future updates, products etc., they have absolutely no idea about Roland Japan's activities.

Still showing on the Roland UK & US websites, also in stock at Thomann and Music Store Germany

Bill

I know, probably some available from stock. But it says Discontinued on Roland.com when searching for it.

The "DISCONTINUED" notice on the BK-7m page of the Roland.com website has been removed. The BK-7m is listed again there.

The Roland Integra-7 has been mentioned a few times here. I just discovered it and listened to a few demos on Youtube. I thought it sounded great! Is it that popular? The nearest one to me to listen to is at Frank's place.....a bit of a drive.

So, those who have one, what do you think of YOURS? I might just take the drive.

BTW.....I happened to call Roland just last week about the Integra and when I asked about the BK-7m, they said it was still in production.

Mark