BK-7m collografis up??

[stalle]

Does anyone know if there is anything planned to replace the supposedly discontinued BK-7m?
I don’t know if a well equipped tablet would be strong enough to do the job, but it certainly is an appealing thought.

 

[Keymn]

If you are thinking portability, bk-7m is the right choice. But it has its limits.
Check out those arrangers like Korg pa1000 and Yamaha PSR-SX900’s. Around the 2000$ range has the quality of their flagship Yamaha Genos and Korg Pa4x. I own the pa1000 and it is a superb instrument. So much fun to setup styles, converts a midi song file to style (the first of its kind). Ease to connect to accordion for backing. It rocks!
I have been using the bk-7m in the restaurant gig for over a year and it serves its purpose. But going to hook up the pa1000 soon, it weighs only 24 pounds and can be carried in a lightweight bag.

Think the accordion market is becoming more demanding in playing pop songs as well as typical accordion music.

 

[JerryPH]

As I mentioned elsewhere here somewhere, the new king of the arranger hill for us accordionists is the Ketron SD90, but be prepared to pay a lot for it, this is the logical replacement for the BK-7m... that said, I like the BK-7m, limits and all, it does ok for me... for the few songs that I do use it on. Remember, it is very easy to get all lost in these arrangers and forget that accordions don't really need these things, though they do add a lot to a song... true musical enjoyment comes for me from playing all variations from basic acoustic, to Free Bass, digital and the whole "band in a box" experience that an arranger adds.

BTW, I also have a Ketron X4, I think it is different in many ways to the BK-7m, better in some, but in the end, it does exactly what the BK does... adds a nice backing track.

 

[Keymn]

I must admit, I am not a typical accordionist. I am a keyboardist too and need the versatility to play other gigs with a keyboard. That said, I have been accustomed to the Korg pa series for 10+ years and seen the developments. Have looked at the Ketron and tried many in the past years. Pretty good product. But Like the songbook feature on the PA series. A real number code for your playlist. Don’t have to deal with midi cc to set up list like in BK and SD. That is when connected to iPad Songbook+ app for music selection.

BTW: Roland Go piano with Alexia feature. What Next?

https://www.roland.com/us/products/gopiano_go-61p-a/

 

[stalle]

I must admit, I am not a typical accordionist. I am a keyboardist too and need the versatility to play other gigs with a keyboard. That said, I have been accustomed to the Korg pa series for 10+ years and seen the developments. Have looked at the Ketron and tried many in the past years. Pretty good product. But Like the songbook feature on the PA series. A real number code for your playlist. Don’t have to deal with midi cc to set up list like in BK and SD. That is when connected to iPad Songbook+ app for music selection.  

BTW: Roland Go piano with Alexia feature. What Next?

https://www.roland.com/us/products/gopiano_go-61p-a/

Thanks for your suggestions (both of you).

I have spent a few hours looking and listening at your suggestions and I am impressed. However, these boxes are a bit too pricy for me ( retired, 75+ and absolutely new to the accordion). The BK7 seemed to be a reasonable choice just to add a bit of joy to the learning process. A bit disappointing to learn it is discontinued by Roland with no successor in sight.

Guess I have to spend some time learning to play the accordion rather than programming a synth   .

BTW, I agree that music is better enjoyed played than programmed

 

[JerryPH]

The BK7 seemed to be a reasonable choice just to add a bit of joy to the learning process. A bit disappointing to learn it is discontinued by Roland with no successor in sight.

Well, if having a little backing is important to you, keep your eyes open for used BK-7m units.  It was just a few months back that there were 2 units new in the box that were offered for sale, and often there are used units that turn up for sale, most of the time in excellent condition.

I found mine in a pawn shop inside a box labeled for a Sony Bluetooth sound system, and it was for a really good price (my whole experience of finding both the FR-8X and BK-7m less than a week later is almost surreal... lol).

Don't discount older units like Ketron X4 or even units like the Programmer 24, these are all good units that can add a lot of pleasure to our experience.

 

[Keymn]

The BK7 seemed to be a reasonable choice just to add a bit of joy to the learning process. A bit disappointing to learn it is discontinued by Roland with no successor in sight.

Well, if having a little backing is important to you, keep your eyes open for used BK-7m units.  It was just a few months back that there were 2 units new in the box that were offered for sale, and often there are used units that turn up for sale, most of the time in excellent condition.

I found mine in a pawn shop inside a box labeled for a Sony Bluetooth sound system, and it was for a really good price (my whole experience of finding both the FR-8X and BK-7m less than a week later is almost surreal... lol).

Don't discount older units like Ketron X4 or even units like the Programmer 24, these are all good units that can add a lot of pleasure to our experience.

Bk is sufficient and price even at new was good. Yes all those SD90, Korg, Yamaha arrangers are with more features..ask ourselves, what does the audience want to hear when they see accordion player. Not a synthesizer sound? I find it very interesting at my gig, the audience reaction to the Austrian beats that have a snappy tuba on the BK.
And going out strolling to a table doing a birthday/anniversary with just accordion is the most satisfying...
But enjoy home work too playing a higher end arranger like Korg PA1000. Therapy to get away from the normal accordion playing...?

 

[JerryPH]

Don't discount older units like Ketron X4 or even units like the Programmer 24, these are all good units that can add a lot of pleasure to our experience.

..ask ourselves, what does the audience want to hear when they see accordion player.

My "audience" is going to hear what I want to play in the manner that I want to play or they can go elsewhere... lol

Unlike a paid professional who must bow to the demands of the public that come through the doors of where they are wanting to spend their hard earned money, my audience comes to me because they like what I do, and I am under zero constraints to bend to anyone's demands... other than my own.  Been there and done that, and I totally respect your stand and your desire to pleased the people that sit in front of you at your place of work.

I have a BK because I found one at a very affordable price. I already own a Ketron X4, technically the equal of the BK in many ways. I don't have the disposable funds to place about $4000CDN for a new Ketron, so the BK is just fine for the $500US that I paid for mine.

For me, this is my perfect world.  I spent my entire professional career playing what others wanted, without consideration to what *I* wanted, and now I have changed that because now, it is all about me, not others, and I bet that 95% of all accordion-based arranger sales fall to amateurs playing in their basements, bedrooms or garages too.

 

[Keymn]

Don't discount older units like Ketron X4 or even units like the Programmer 24, these are all good units that can add a lot of pleasure to our experience.

..ask ourselves, what does the audience want to hear when they see accordion player.

My "audience" is going to hear what I want to play in the manner that I want to play or they can go elsewhere... lol

Unlike a paid professional who must bow to the demands of the public that come through the doors of where they are wanting to spend their hard earned money, my audience comes to me because they like what I do, and I am under zero constraints to bend to anyone's demands... other than my own.  Been there and done that, and I totally respect your stand.

I have a BK because I found one at a very affordable price. I already own a Ketron X4, technically the equal of the BK in many ways. I don't have the disposable funds to place about $4000CDN for a new Ketron, so the BK is just fine for the $500US that I paid for mine.

For me, this is my perfect world.  I spent my entire professional career playing what others wanted, without consideration to what *I* wanted, and now I have changed that because now, it is all about me, not others, and I bet that 95% of all accordion-based arranger sales fall to amateurs playing in their basements, bedrooms or garages too.

Remembering our discussion a couple years ago:
Ricky Nelson’s “Garden Party”? so true!