Life after the VA7
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- Karma:
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I create sound tracks for ballroom dancing, by firstly recording the ‘skeleton’ tracks (rhythm, bass and accompaniment) on midi in the VA7, then progressively add melody, counter melody and other embellishments, all within the keyboard. This then is recorded on my computer.
I can’t see any comparable feature on Roland’s latest models.
Do I now need to purchase additional software and create a midi file using the computer instead of the VA7.
I would be most grateful for any chat members to offer suggestions – both on the model keyboard to purchase and any software, if that is required. I use the Microsoft Surface computer.
P.S. This is my first post. Many thanks for the comprehensive and informative site.
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The BK9 , has a 16 track sequencer, and can capture your performance as MIDI and save as a SMF.
You can also select to record as a wav file.
The G70 records midi the best (easiest), and saves as SMF. It has a 16 track sequencer, but no audio record capabilities, without an external recorder.
The other BK's 3, 5, 7m will not record the midi internally. You would need to use an external sequencer.
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About the only real advantage to onboard sequencers is the initial 'capture' of the full arranger stream (I find the timing is more tick accurate with onboards, but it is next to impossible to actually hear), but once captured, I wouldn't touch any sequencer with a bargepole that you had to work with the data through a tiny LCD screen! Way too 80's for me!
A large laptop screen or computer monitor makes editing a snap, far more intuitive, and far more detailed and powerful. Not to mention that, once you have honed and perfected the sequence, you can record audio as well with all the tools for overdubbing and editing that a DAW gives you.
While most of the BK's and the EA7 don't have full sequencers, they DO have sequence players and the amazing Makeup Tools header editors. Unless you actually need to record new Parts, or correct notes, 90% of what most of us actually NEED is an easy way to change the sounds effects, balance or dynamics of an already recorded SMF. Makeup Tools does this in more detail and easier than any other system.
But if making SMF's from scratch using the arranger's style as a starting point, a computer or tablet DAW is by far the easiest way to go, nowadays.
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- Karma:
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There's nothing to be gained by scouring the second hand market for a BK9 or G70 just to keep alive an outdated mode of operation!
You have been most helpful.
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Coming from the VA7, I'd say that the BK-9 is the most practical successor to your TOTL VA7
However, if you mean that it has a full onboard sequencer makes it outmoded, that's a bit 50/50. Like I said, I don't really recommend using it for ALL your sequencing needs, when DAW's make it so much easier. But, as I alluded to, it's a LOT easier to do the initial 'capture' of the full arranger style output to the Recorder (you don't use the full 16 track sequencer to 'capture' the full style output, that's done by the 'Recorder' without any need to set up tracks, channels, etc. - in fact, in the main 16-Track sequencer, you can't record more than one track at a time), and because the MIDI data is all internal (no interface of any kind, either MIDI or USB) I find I get a tiny, tiny bit better tick accuracy. Things that are supposed to be recorded on 1.1.001 don't end up on 1.1.002, for instance (even though that's inaudible, it's sometimes a pain for doing copy/paste or region moving etc.). Plus you get better recording of sys-ex messages which control a lot of things like EQ, MFX etc..
Not to mention, should you get a great idea while noodling on the arranger, the onboard Recorder means you don't have to pull out your laptop or connect to your computer to quickly record it, and you can transfer to the computer later to fine polish it.
Currently, Roland do not make an arranger that looks like it is going to get an OS refresh (the E-A7's last one was about a year or so ago, which has generally meant that's about it for this model) so getting a BK-5 or E-A7 to somehow 'future-proof' yourself seems futile. I will be utterly astounded if Roland release any new OS upgrades to their current lineup.
So, at this point, take a look at ALL latest generation Roland arrangers (if determined to stay with Roland) whether new or used... Obviously, I'm a bit biased, but having gone through most Roland TOTL arrangers, I would think that someone coming from an earlier TOTL Roland like the VA7 would end up a bit disappointed in any of their current MOTL/BOTL offerings. The BK-9 offers TOTL performance, with a TOTL quality keybed (the BK-5 and E-A7 actions I find quite cheap feeling and spongy compared to Roland's earlier TOTL/MOTL offerings) at a price pretty comparable used to a new E-A7.
Not to mention stuff missing from the E-A7 like the Hammond sim, the SN sounds (they are amazing!), the Chord Sequencer, the Audio Loops, the greater number of MFX (2KBD, 3Song/Style) and the high quality Mic in...
But sequencer or no sequencer shouldn't really make your decision one way or the other. Lots of other considerations.
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If you haven't paid BIAB much attention in the last decade or so, it is a very different sounding software since it added loops of real drums, real guitarists, real basslines etc., and has always been a good contender for doing ballrooms and jazz (its original main thing).
Create your tracks with that, save as audio, play in a BK arranger (so you can play something on top if that's what you do), best of all possible worlds!
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- Karma:
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To summarise, I’m hearing the natural progression from the VA7, would ideally be a BK9 (sourced second hand). Should one not be available, then opt for a EA7. In addition, I need to move into the world of the DAW to maximize the SMF editing capability, irrespective of which keyboard.
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- Karma:
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But once you get used to 999 available at a time, a lot of possibilities open up... My List isn't much past 400 songs or so (I don't do ballroom or jazz standards much, more pop and rock, reggae and beach music etc.) but I tend to often use more than one Performance (UPG) per song, to allow me to do complete setup changes mid-song (changing the Performance doesn't change the SMF/MP3 playing, and will only change the style if you set it up that way), which would take multiple button presses to do old school style.
I still cannot fathom why Roland chose to limit the feature on the latest arranger when it worked PERFECTLY on the previous models (in fact, why not increase it..?!). Sometimes you just have to shake your head and facepalm

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- Karma:
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However, you have just offered the perfect solution to a colleague of mine for whom I do backing tracks. Brilliant! Why didn’t I think of that before?
This has renewed my interest in collaborative problem solving. I usually avoid ‘chat’ sites because they are mostly dominated by ‘extremists’ flogging their narrow view points, sometimes in a vulgar way. (Example: There’s my narrow view point on chat sites!)
This site is so refreshingly different. All credit to the moderators.
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- Posts: 409
- Karma:
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Sadly, with Roland largely stepping away from the arranger field, very little new product, no real BOTL/MOTL/TOTL structure any more, the membership has dwindled to just a handful compared to our heyday at the launch of the G70 (in fact, the site was originally the G70 Users Forum before we expanded). In fact, with Roland not releasing a single arranger short of toy cheap ones that users rarely bother forums about since Sept 2015 (yes, the E-A7 was announced that long ago, and it is STILL Roland's latest!) there really isn't that much to talk about!
But for those of us that still prefer the Roland 'sound', I am glad we are still around. We very nearly closed shop about a year ago, and only a change of heart from Søren, our Admin and owner saved the day. But if you need Roland arranger help and advice, there isn't a better English language resource, AFAIK..!
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- Karma:
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I have soured a second hand BK9 in Perth - 3,500 kms the other side of the country. He will match the price of a new EA7, that's $1,435 Australian dollars. I'm deciding whether I should purchase it (sight unseen) and have it freighted to Melbourne.
www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/girrawheen/keybo...-keyboard/1209830057
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