Anyone have a Roland BK-7M? I need a backing track

[jazzdoc52]

I play solo gigs from time to time and I would love to have a jazz bass and drum backing tract. Researching the roland BK -7M, it seems that in addition to playing midi files, it has a program that generates a bass line when a chord is played in left hand, and can do it in any style. Does anyone have experience with this module? Are there other, less expensive options? thanks

[FedzKeyz]

I have a BK-7M. Got it for exactly the purpose you describe, but have been gigging regularly with a band since then, so never had the chance to use it in anger.

 

It will play midi files (and MP3 files), and it will generate drums, bass and up to 6 further backing parts in a number of styles, which can also be downloaded or created yourself (requires computer, though). There aren't many Jazz styles, though - it seems to be full of repulsive "Euro-Disco" beats (the word "schlager" appears in the name of a lot of styles).

 

It all sounds a bit artificial, to be honest. Chord changes need to be very exact, just ahead of the beat is fine, but play just the tiniest fraction behind the beat and it sounds terrible, as the "backing band" hit the previous chord on the beat and then quickly switch notes to match your "new" chord.

 

Seems to be very popular with Accordian players (which is how Roland primarily markets it).

[Ken Beaumont]

The BK7-M has 2 'Pianist Modes' that allow you to play normally.

The chords are recognized across the keyboard instead of just the left hand and it doesn't change chords until a minimum of three chord tones are played. This stops it from glitching on runs or melody lines. This feature was broken for awhile but was fixed in the recent firmware update v1.06.

 

I use mine at home for practice and coming up with song ideas, like a hardware version of Band in the Box. It can play backing tracks or record your playing the arranger functions to create your own track and then play over that.

 

It will play .wav, .mp3 and midi files. The best is to use midi files and edit them to your liking on a DAW such as Logic, Cubase etc. Then put them on a flash drive. You can get a lot of information from the Yahoo BK7-M user group.

 

I would highly recommend if your doing a one man band gig with it you get an Roland FC-7. It gives you hands-free control of seven dedicated functions, including start/stop and intro/ending.

 

 

[Ken Beaumont]

A cheaper alternative might be "Band in a Box" on a laptop.

With it you can create backing tracks and play them back.